Educator Spotlight: Audra Rowell’s Mission to Expand Gifted Education in Northwest ISD

Audra Rowell has been a driving force in gifted education for over thirty years,
ensuring gifted learners receive the opportunities and support they need to thrive. As the Advanced Academics Coordinator for Northwest ISD in Texas, she leads efforts to identify and nurture gifted students in one of the fastest-growing districts in North Texas. Since she started in 2015, Northwest ISD has seen student enrollment grow from 20,000 to over 32,000! 

Meeting the Needs of a Changing Student Population 

Northwest ISD’s rapid growth brings together small communities with shifting demographics, including an increasing number of Title I schools. Recognizing that one size does not fit all, Audra and her team are working to expand access to gifted services—especially for underserved populations that may have previously been overlooked. 

“Universal screening is our #1 strategy for identifying students who might otherwise be missed,” Audra explains. By testing all 2nd-grade students with CogAT, her team ensures that every child has an opportunity to demonstrate their potential, regardless of background. Audra dreams of expanding screening to 5th grade and middle school—a plan that hinges on securing additional funding. 

To support Title I schools, federal funding is allocated annually for CogAT testing, ensuring that students in the most underfunded schools have access to the same opportunities as their peers. “It’s been a game-changer,” Audra says. 

Beyond GT Identification: Using CogAT for Every Student 

One of the biggest shifts Audra has championed is educating staff on the value of CogAT beyond gifted identification. Initially seen only as a tool for placing students into GT programs, she has helped integrate it into broader student support initiatives by:

• Partnering with assessment departments to move 2nd-grade testing into the district’s assessment budget, reinforcing that it’s not just about giftedness. 

• Training assistant principals and campus testing coordinators annually to ensure they understand and utilize the data effectively. 

• Empowering GT specialists at every elementary school to analyze CogAT subtest data alongside achievement data, identifying students who might need RTI, dyslexia support, or additional interventions. 

What’s Next? Expanding Tiered Services 

Looking ahead, Audra’s team is focused on building tiered gifted services, ensuring that students receive support tailored to their level of need. Currently, students qualify for gifted programs if they score 99% on one CogAT battery or 92% across all three. 

The next step is to differentiate services within the GT program rather than pulling all students together at the same time. “Our goal is to meet students where they are and provide the right level of challenge for each learner,” Audra says. 

Through her leadership, Northwest ISD is expanding opportunities for advanced learners, identifying gifted students more equitably, and ensuring all students—regardless of background—have the chance to reach their full potential.