Channels of Challenge Program
The mission of the District 64 Channels of Challenge Program is to engage our advanced learners, those with high cognitive and academic abilities, in rigorous programming to reach their fullest potential.
D64 believes students identified as academically and/or intellectually gifted have unique instructional needs. The curricular instruction should be matched to the students by adapting the pace, depth, and complexity of study, enabling gifted students to develop and become motivated, self-directed learners. In addition to the instructional aspect of the Channels of Challenge Program, attention should be given to social and emotional development to promote a growth mindset.
Announcements
- The Channels of Challenge program review is complete. All updated testing information is below.
- Final evaluation reports and information about summer school (for 3rd-6th math qualifiers) will be sent in May.
Channels of Challenge Eligibility Process
Effective starting the 2024/2025 School Year.
Timeline:
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August - Fall MAP
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December - Winter MAP
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February - 2nd Grade CogAT
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April/May - Spring MAP
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May - Possible "2nd Chance" WISC
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May/June - Find Placement Emails
Eligibility Criteria - English Language Arts (ELA) & Math
"Phase 1" Screener
- Achievement Testing
- 90% Minimum MAP National Percentile (Winter OR Spring)
- Additionally, students must have a minimum of an 85% AVERAGE MAP National Percentile over the Fall, Winter & Spring MAP tests
- *2024-2025: all Math MAP scores & percentiles will be CONCORDED using the NWEA National Concordance Table.
- Ability Testing
- 120 Minimum CogAT Standard Age Score (SAS)
- All 2nd Grade students take the CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test). This nationally normed test measures a student's learned reasoning ability.
"Phase 2" Z-Score Calculations
- 5.0 Minimum Z-Score
- MAP and CogAT are weighted equally
- MAP Z-Scores: Sum of 2 highest scores (Fall, Winter, or Spring) + CogAT Z-Score x 2 (minimum of 120) = Z-Score of 5.0 or above
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*Must have passed the Phase 1 screener above
- Fall, Winter & Spring MAP:
- Math Average: 94th percentile or above average (with at least one 90%+ in the Winter or Spring)
- Reading Average: 92nd percentile or above average (with at least one 90%+ in the Winter or Spring)
- Plus a CogAT of a minimum of 100
2nd grade students who meet the above “2nd Chance” criteria will be invited in to take the WISC Ability test in May. If their WISC score is at or above a 120, their Z-Score will be calculated using the “Phase 2” calculations above.
Effective starting the 2024/2025 School Year.
Timeline:
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August - Fall MAP
-
December - Winter MAP
-
April/May - Spring MAP
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March-May - Possible CogAT (students who pass the MAP screener)
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May/June - Final Placement Emails (students who take the cogAT)
Eligibility Criteria - English Language Arts (ELA) & Math
"Phase 1" MAP Screeners
- Achievement Testing
- Minimum MAP National Percentile (Winter or Spring)
- 94% - Match
- 92% - ELA
- In addition, students must have at least an 85% second high MAP National Percentile over the Fall, Winter or Spring MAP tests.
- *2024-2025: all Math MAP scores & percentiles will be CONCORDED using the NWEA National Concordance Table.
- OR 90% AVERAGE (Fall, Winter & Spring) - Minimum MAP National Percentile Average - Math or Reading
- Minimum MAP National Percentile (Winter or Spring)
- Ability Testing
- 120 Minimum CogAT Standard Age Score (SAS)
- 3rd-6th (Math/Reading) & 7th (Reading) Grade students who meet at least one of the MAP Screeners are given the CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test). This nationally normed test measures a student’s learned reasoning ability.
- 120 Minimum CogAT Standard Age Score (SAS)
"Phase 2" Z-Score Calculations
- 5.0 Minimum Z-Score
- MAP and CogAT are weighted equally
- MAP Z-Scores: Sum of 2 highest scores (Fall, Winter, or Spring) + CogAT Z-Score x 2 (minimum of 120) = Z-Score of 5.0 or above
*Must have passed the Phase 1 screener above
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Watch Jo Boaler's Number Talks From Stanford Online's "How To Learn Math for Teachers and Parents"
Check out the D64 Student Resource Page (It is packed with learning opportunities)
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Teacher's College Supports for Families (Units of Study Reading and Writing)
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Coding Ideas from D64 Tech Coaches
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Center for Talent Development (Northwestern University)
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The Center for Gifted (NW Suburban)
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Junior Great Books Virtual Academy
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Prufrock Press Thinking Skills Activities (worksheets)
Looking for extra math ideas?
- Center for Talent Development, Northwestern University/NUMATS -Talent searches, programs for gifted students during the school year (Saturday Enrichment Programs, Gifted Learning Links, correspondence courses), summer programs, conferences and much more
- The Center for Gifted - Classes specifically for advanced learners in the Chicago suburbs. Science, humanities, the arts and robotics are just a few courses offered.
- Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy - The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) is a public tuition-free residential high school for Illinois residents. IMSA also offers school year and summer enrichment courses for elementary students entering or above 3rd grade.
- Belin-Blank Center - The mission of the University of Iowa's Belin-Blank Center is "to empower and serve the international gifted community through exemplary leadership in programs, research, and advocacy."
- Purdue University’s Gifted Education Resource Institute (GERI) - Serving 5th-12th grade gifted, creative, and talented students in residential summer programs that stimulate their imaginations and expand their abilities and talents! Our unique classes include content from all subject areas, including science, math, technology, art, social studies, and computers. Camps also offer a variety of recreational activities and a chance for students to get a taste of college life as they live on campus in Purdue’s residence halls.
- Davidson Institute - The Davidson Institute serves the profoundly gifted.
- The Art of Problem Solving was written specifically for gifted math students. There are entire classes on problem solving which can be done with students at home (16 week course=290 dollars). They do problems, share a message board, and are guided by an MIT instructor.
- Noetic Learning (2nd-8th grade) - Provides materials for parents, teachers and students that are standards based. Included on the site are resources for the math contest, weekly problem solving practice, individualized daily homework, summer homework program and a math worksheet creator.
This site provides information using PDF, visit this link to download the Adobe Acrobat Reader DC software.