OK, I was coming from the perspective of living in a school district where there is a matrix that is used for qualifying for the gifted programs which includes ability scores as well as achievement plus teacher recs. Where we're at, if you don't meet a specific ability score, it doesn't matter what the rest of your matrix is in elementary school. In secondary schools, there are two tracks - honors classes and gifted magnet program. The honors classes are based on achievement only, for the gifted magnet you still have to have high ability scores.
I am really surprised to read that in some places the average ability scores for GT programming are in the 70th percentile for ability. Also surprised to read of a state trying to cast a wide net so that no one is missed - that would be the polar opposite of the school district I'm in lol.
polarbear
