Screening for High Intellectual Ability: Validation of the SACI Protocol and Implications for Inclusive Education in...

Guaranteeing high-quality, equitable, and inclusive basic education requires upholding the right of all students to reach their full potential and ensuring their well-being. Students with High Intellectual Ability (HIA) represent a vulnerable group that is often under-identified in schools, a fact that hinders the personalization of their education and the ability to meet their specific needs. In 2019, as part of its plan to address the educational needs of this group, the Department of Education of the Basque Government prioritized the design and validation of a screening protocol to support the identification of students with HIA. This article presents a study on the validity and reliability of the High Intellectual Ability Screening Protocol (SACI, by its Spanish acronym), applicable in Primary Education. A two-phase controlled screening design was employed, involving the random assignment of participants and the use of specific statistical techniques to evaluate the psychometric soundness of the measure. The results provide highly promising evidence, supporting the conclusion that the SACI protocol is a valid and reliable screening instrument for use with Primary Education students in the Basque Autonomous Community.