SEEK is open to all children who meet the criteria indicated below and who consistently demonstrate mastery of grade level curriculum expectations. There is no set number of students admitted to the SEEK program, and the number of participating students varies from year to year. Students are reassessed annually in the spring and early fall to determine whether participation in SEEK will begin or continue.
The sole, multiple criteria used to identify students for SEEK for grades 3, 4, and 5 are listed below:
SEEK Literacy Eligibility:
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Reading a full year above grade level (as determined by running records), and
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Have scored a high 4 on the NY State ELA Assessment (when applicable), and
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Score in the top percentile on additional standardized assessments given in school.*
SEEK Math Eligibility:
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Have scored a high 4 on the NY State Math Assessment (when applicable), and
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Score in the top percentile on an additional standardized assessment given in school*, and
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Earn a high score on a district-created problem-solving assessment.*
SEEK Innovations Eligibility:
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Have scored a high 4 on the NY State Math Assessment (when applicable), and
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Score in the top percentile on an additional standardized assessment given in school.*
For 3rd graders and other students who did not take the NY State Assessments in the previous school year, classroom, local, and proprietary standardized measures from early to mid-fall are used to determine whether or not a student is eligible to participate in one or more SEEK experiences.
SEEK teachers work closely with classroom teachers in a variety of ways to provide professional development for differentiated instruction within the classroom, resulting in enriched curricula for all students whether or not they are eligible for and participate in SEEK.
*There is no set cut-off percentage related to performance on these assessments.