Criteria for Core Group
PEP Core Group Entrance Criteria
3rd, 4th, and 5th Grades:
Beginning with the 2024-25 school year, PEP Core Group entrance criteria for elementary students will utilize the matrix, below. In order to qualify for the PEP Core Group 12 or more points must be achieved. The Naglieri General Abilities Test (NGAT) is administered to all third grade students each spring. The district will no longer administer individual I.Q. tests to elementary students for entrance into PEP Core Group.
PEP Identification Matrix
| 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| NGAT Total | ≥99% | 97 - 98% | 95 - 96% | 90 - 94% | 85 - 89% | <85% |
| NGAT Verbal | ≥99% | 97 - 98% | 95 - 96% | 90 - 94% | 85 - 89% | <85% |
| NGAT Nonverbal | ≥99% | 97 - 98% | 95 - 96% | 90 - 94% | 85 - 89% | <85% |
| NGAT Quantitative | ≥99% | 97 - 98% | 95 - 96% | 90 - 94% | 85 - 89% | <85% |
| Reading Universal Screener - iReady (highest from 2 most recent) | ≥99% | 97 - 98% | 95 - 96% | 90 - 94% | 85 - 89% | <85% |
| Math Universal Screener - iReady (highest from 2 most recent) | ≥99% | 97 - 98% | 95 - 96% | 90 - 94% | 85 - 89% | <85% |
| Student Evaluation Scale (SES) 1 | Meets/ exceeds criteria | |||||
| Student Evaluation Scale (SES) 2 | Meets/ exceeds criteria |
Please note:
- The NGAT will be re-administered each fall to fifth grade students who have not already qualified for PEP core group, and who score within the 6 - 11 point range on the Matrix.
- Students who were administered an individual I.Q. test by the district as part of PEP screening prior to the 2024-25 school year, may still qualify for Core Group using the criteria that was in effect in 2023-2024.
- Students entering sixth grade in September 2024 will follow the criteria below. The new matrix will be used for 6th grade students beginning 2025-26.
- Please contact your building’s PEP teacher if you have questions.
Sixth Grade Criteria for the 2024-2025 School Year Only:
- Qualifying score within Performance Level 4 (to be determined) on the NY State E.L.A., grade 5,
Or, 95 percentile on the NWEA MAP or i-Ready test in Reading, Spring of grade 5 or Fall of grade 6. - Qualifying score within Performance Level 4 (to be determined) on the NY State Math Assessment, grade 5,
Or, 95 percentile on the NWEA MAP or i-Ready test in Math, Spring of grade 5 or Fall of grade 6. - Qualifying score on Student Evaluation Scale (SES), grade 5 or Teacher Appraisal, Likert Scale, grade 6
- Qualifying score on Teacher Appraisal, Likert Scale, grade 6 Note: The SES from 4th grade will be used as criteria #4 until a 6th grade Teacher Appraisal is completed.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Individually administered I.Q. test, minimum 130 Verbal Comprehension*
- Individually administered I.Q. test, minimum 130 Fluid Reasoning*
- Individually administered I.Q. test, minimum 130 Full Scale OR General Ability Index*
An individual I.Q. test, administered by the Port Washington School District, is given to students who have achieved any three of the first four criteria. Students who achieve four of the above seven criteria qualify for the core group. A Full Scale or General Ability Index or Verbal Comprehension or Fluid Reasoning I.Q. of 130 is a required criterion.
If a student has been administered an I.Q. test by the Port Washington School District for another purpose in the previous year, the results of that testing can be used IF the student meets any three of the four criteria.
*An automatic review process will take place when a student who is tested for the PEP Core Group does not meet the district criteria. The review process applies ONLY to students who attained an I.Q. score of 125 or higher in one or more of the following areas: Verbal I.Q., Fluid Reasoning I.Q., Full Scale I.Q. and/or General Ability Index I.Q. Students are not re-administered the I.Q. test.