In the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), the Cognitive Abilities Test, Seventh Edition (CCAT-7) is administered as part of the universal screening process for all Grade 3 students.
The CCAT-7 and other measures of intellectual ability are designed to provide students with exposure to novel tasks. As such, no advance preparation or practice is permitted. Any evidence of prior exposure, preparation, or practice will render the results invalid and may compromise the integrity of the screening process.
Universal screening is used to:
- Inform teachers about the learning strengths and needs of each student
- Consider which students may benefit from a referral to an In-School Team (IST) or School Support Team (SST) for programming suggestions
- Improve equity of access for all students, including those who may be identified with an exceptionality (e.g., giftedness, learning disability, mild intellectual disability)
Information about the screening process will be provided to parents by the school principal in the fall of each school year.