A Parent's Instruction Guide to Creative/Productive Thinking Identification 

Creative/productive thinking is exceptional capability or potential in mental processes (e.g., critical thinking, creative problem solving, humor, independent/original thinking, and/or products). Identification in Creative/Productive thinking is assessed through a body of evidence.

STEP 1: Begin by reviewing the Parent’s Guide (this web-page) below for more specific information on this identification process. 

STEP 2: After reviewing the guide, make a referral.
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STEP 3:  Download any forms/information from the guide below for your future information and reference.

Types of CDE approved, qualifying information for a Body of Evidence (BOE) in Creative/Productive Thinking in Jeffco:

PERFORMANCE/PORTFOLIO/PRODUCT EVALUATION
  • Top place or ranking at a state or national contest related to creative/productive thinking (i.e., Destination Imagination, STEM competition, etc.)

  • Expert jurried performance at the advanced/distinguished level

  • Portfolio/product review at the advanced/distinguished level
NORM-REFERENCED OBSERVATION
95th percentile or above on norm-referenced observation scale in the area of creativity (SIGS, GRS, etc.)
CRITERION/NORM-REFERENCED TEST
  • 95th percentile or above on an approved norm-referenced or criterion-referenced test for Creativity (Torrance Test of Creative Thinking, PCA, etc.)

  • 95th percentile or above on an approved cognitive assessment (KBIT, CogAT, WISC, WPPSI, etc.)

Creative/Productive Thinking Considerations

Creative/Productive thinking can manifest in a variety of ways. High levels of creativity may be demonstrated not only in products, but in the process of developing those products.

Creative/Productive thinking can be related to, but is not necessarily the same as specific talent aptitudes such as art and music. Carefully consider if your student is exhibiting high levels of creativity, or if a specific talent area would be a more appropriate identification area.

What Kind of Evidence Are We Looking For?

There are hundreds of definitions of creativity and creative thinking. For our purposes in Jeffco, we are looking for evidence throughout the process of five main components: fluency, flexibility, originality, elaboration, and persistence.

  • Fluency: The ability to generate quantities of ideas.

  • Flexibility: The ability to create different categories of ideas and to perceive ideas from different points of view.

  • Originality: The ability to generate new, different, and unique ideas.

  • Elaboration: The ability to expand on ideas, create a plan, or to enhance upon initial iterations.

  • Persistence: The ability to persevere through mistakes, discouragement, or roadblocks.

Body of Evidence (BOE) Examples - Coming Soon!

What Goes Inside a Portfolio?

Due to the nature of creative thinking, there is no specific example that can be provided for parents to see. We are looking for evidence as referenced above. A creativity portfolio could include:

  • A portfolio must be electronic and submitted online.

  • Submissions can be annotated to help the review team understand the student’s thinking and process.

  • Product(s): Unique, original, and elaborate artifacts.

  • Projects: STEM, PBL, Unique, Social Action.

  • Collections: Journals, Sketchbooks, inventions, etc.

  • Evidence of state or national ranking in competition/events related to creative thinking.

  • Other evidence that may show creative thinking and processes. Reach out to your GT Resource Teacher if you have questions about what could be included.

Steps for the ID Process

  1. Review the considerations on this document and reach out to others who may have a specific understanding of the creative thinking of your child.

  2. Fill out the online referral form for Creative/Productive Thinking.

  3. Begin to build/document portfolio. Review the creativity portfolio rubric.

  4. Submit the portfolio by the deadline on the Timeline for Talent Identification.

  5. GT Resource teachers will use the portfolio and begin to build a body of evidence.

  6. During this process a GT Resource Teacher, classroom teacher, or other appropriate personnel may interview your student. You may download the interview questions for reference/preparation:

    KG – 3rd Grade Interview 

    4th Grade – High School Interview

  7. If additional information is needed, a GT Resource teacher may perform cognitive or creative testing with your student.

  8. The GT Review team will review the BOE and inform parents of the status/decision within 30 school days of the BOE review.

  9. Reach out to your school's GT Resource teacher if you have any needs/questions throughout the process.

How To Submit Your Portfolio

  1. We recommend utilizing your student's Jeffco google account for online portfolio submission. You and/or your student can create a folder in their google drive called "Creativity Portfolio". Inside the folder you can house any variety of artifacts (artwork, work samples, pictures of products, videos, sound files, etc.). Then, copy the link to the folder and email it to [email protected]

  2. If you are unsure of how to do the above process, you can electronically send files via email to [email protected]. It is acceptable to send multiple emails if the files are too large for a single email.

  3. If you are unable to submit a portfolio via the above methods, please reach out to your school's GT Resource Teacher for questions/assistance.

  4. NOTE: We recommend and prefer digital submissions. The GT Department is unable to house and manage physical portfolios or items.
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