Gifted Services

Referral

Children may be referred in writing on an ongoing basis, based on the following:

• Child request (self-referral);

• Teacher recommendation;

• Parent/guardian request;

• Child referral of peer; and

• Other (e.g., psychologist, community members, principal, gifted coordinator, etc.)

Upon receipt of a referral, the district will:

• Follow the process as outlined in this policy; and

• Notify parents of results of screening or assessment and identification within 30 days.

Screening

The district ensures equal access to screening and further assessment of all district children, including culturally or linguistically diverse children, children from low socio-economic backgrounds, children with disabilities and children for whom English is a second language.

Identification

When the screening assessment has been completed, if the data obtained is from an approved identification instrument and the score meets cut-off scores specified in department of education guidance, the identification decision is made and student’s educational needs are determined. Identification scores remain in effect for the remainder of the student’s K-12 school experience.

Identification Process

The district shall provide at least two opportunities each year for assessment in the case of children requesting assessment or recommended for assessment by teachers, parents or other children.

The district ensures there are ample and appropriate scheduling procedures for assessments and reassessment using:

Areas of Possible Gifted Identification

• Superior Cognitive Ability: Districts shall identify students as gifted in the area of superior cognitive ability when a student accomplishes any of the following: scores two standard deviations above the mean, minus the standard error of measurement, on an approved intelligence test; ​performs at or above the ninety-fifth percentile on an approved composite battery of a nationally normed achievement test; or ​attains an approved score on an approved nationally-normed above grade level achievement test.

• Specific Academic Ability: Districts shall identify students as gifted in the area of specific academic ability when a student performs at or above the ninety-fifth percentile in a specific academic ability field on an approved nationally-normed achievement test.

• Creative Thinking Ability: Districts shall identify students as gifted in the area of creative thinking ability when a student scores one standard deviation above the mean, minus the standard error of measure, on an approved intelligence test and also attains either a qualifying score on an approved checklist of creative behaviors or a qualifying score on an approved creativity test.

• Visual or Performing Arts Ability: Districts shall identify students as gifted in the area of visual or performing arts ability when a student demonstrates superior ability in a visual or performing arts area through a display of work, an audition, or other performance or exhibition and also obtains a qualifying score on an approved checklist of behaviors related to a specific arts area.

Reassessment

When the screening assessment has been completed, if the data is from an approved screening instrument or from an identification instrument on which the student is within a district-specified range below the identification score, re-assessment for possible identification occurs.

Out of District Scores

The district accepts scores, completed within the preceding 24 months on assessment instruments approved for use by the Ohio Department of Education, provided by other schools and/or trained personnel outside the school district.

Transfer

The district ensures that any child transferring into the district will be assessed within 90 days of the transfer at the request of the parent. Parents shall contact the building principal.

Appeal Procedure

An appeal by the parent is the reconsideration of the result of any part of the identification process which would include:

• Screening procedure or assessment instrument (which results in identification);

• The scheduling of children for assessment

• The placement of a student in any program; and

• Receipt of services.

Written Education Plans

When students identified as gifted are reported to parents and the Ohio Department of Education as served, they must have a Written Education Plan in compliance with the Operating Standards for Identifying and Serving Gifted Students.

Withdrawal

If at any time a student wishes to withdraw from gifted programs or services the request should be written by the parent or child to the building administrator. If children request to withdraw, parents will be notified.