Gifted Definition
According to Ohio Revised Code 3324.01, "Gifted" means students who perform or show potential for performing at remarkably high levels of accomplishment when compared to others of their age, experience, or environment and who are identified under division (A), (B), (C), or (D) of section 3324.03 of the Revised Code.
Students can be identified as gifted in the following areas:
Superior Cognitive Ability
Specific Academic Ability in these subject areas:
Mathematics; Reading, Writing, or a combination of these skills; Science; Social Studies
Creative Thinking Ability
Visual or Performing Arts Ability: ability in areas such as drawing, painting, sculpting, music, dance and drama.
Crestwood’s Gifted Identification Policy and Plan
Crestwood Local Schools follow Ohio Revised Code 3324 and the policy and procedures established in Ohio Administrative Code 3301-51-15 in regards to gifted students in Ohio schools. Crestwood screens and identifies students in grades K-12 using ODEW approved assessments.
The district offers whole grade gifted screening at set grade levels and accepts referrals for screening and identification. The district ensures there are ample and appropriate scheduling procedures for assessments and reassessment using group tests, individually administered tests, audition, performance, display of work, exhibition, checklists. The criteria used for screening, assessment or reassessment will not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, disability status, first language or socioeconomic status.
Within 30 days of district receipt of results, Crestwood schools will notify parents of all test results.
The district accepts scores on assessment instruments approved for use by the Ohio Department of Education provided by other school districts and/or trained personnel outside the school district.
Whole Grade Screenings:
Whole grade screenings allow the opportunity for all students in set grade levels to be equitably included in the screening and identification process.
SUPERIOR COGNITIVE and CREATIVE THINKING WHOLE GRADE SCREENING:
All second grade students will be screened for Superior Cognitive Ability.
Assessment: Cognitive Abilities Test, Form 7
Those students who score at or above a 128 composite score will be identified as gifted per state guidelines. Those students who score between 125 and 127 will be reassessed using the Naglieri Nonverbal Abilities Test, Third Edition (NNAT-3), Levels C.
All fourth grade students will be screened for Superior Cognitive Ability.
Assessment: Cognitive Abilities Test, Form 7.
Those students who score at or above a 128 composite score will be identified as gifted per state guidelines. Those students who score between 125 and 127 will be reassessed using the Naglieri Nonverbal Abilities Test, Third Edition (NNAT-3), Levels D.
All second and fourth grade students will be assessed for Creative Thinking Ability.
Assessment: Gifted and Talented Evaluation Scales, 2nd Edition (GATES 2)- Creativity Checklist Component
Students will be identified as gifted based on state guidelines given in Ohio Revised Code 3324 and Ohio Administrative Code 3301-51-15.
SPECIFIC ACADEMIC AREA WHOLE GRADE SCREENING:
All second through eighth grade students will be screened for the specific academic abilities of reading and math each Fall, Winter, and Spring using NWEA MAP Growth.
Those students who score at or above the 95th percentile in a specific academic area will be identified as gifted per state guidelines. Students who fall in the typical retest range will be reassessed whenever the next Map Window opens. The MAP tests are designed to be administered multiple times in the same school year and include a large test item bank to reduce familiarity with specific items. Therefore, the test can be used as follow‐up testing for students in the screening range.
Referrals for Superior Cognitive Ability and Specific Academic Areas
Students may be referred in writing for testing, offered twice a year (fall and spring), based on the following:
Child request
Parent request
Teacher request
Peer request
Referral forms available in school offices and at Crestwood Pupil Services website. Students will be assessed by the gifted intervention specialist or school psychologist within 90 days of the referral request.
Assessments used for retesting include:
Cognitive Abilities Test, Form 7
InView Cognitive Abilities Assessment
Naglieri Nonverbal Abilities Test, Third Edition (NNAT-3), Levels A-D or E-G
Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition (WISC-V), Full-Scale IQ (FSIQ)
NWEA MAP Growth 2-5 or 6+
Iowa Assessments, Complete Battery Form E
Stanford Achievement Test Series, 10th Edition
Woodcock Johnson IV, Test of Achievement
VISUAL and PERFORMING ARTS
Students from all grade levels may be referred in writing for Visual and Performing Arts screening in September or May, based on the following:
Child request
Parent request
Teacher request
Peer request
Assessments: Gifted and Talented Evaluation Scales, 2nd Edition (GATES 2)
Students who pass the screening score will progress to portfolio or auditions, which will take place in the fall or spring and utilize Ohio Visual and Performing Arts Performance Evaluation Rubric for identification. Students will be identified as gifted based on state guidelines given in Ohio Revised Code 3324 and Ohio Administrative Code 3301-51-15.
Student Transfer
Any child transferring into the district will be assessed within 90 days of the transfer at the request of the parent.
Appeal Process
Parents may submit a written appeal of test results. An appeal by the parent is the reconsideration of the results 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.
Parents should submit a letter to the superintendent or designee outlining the nature of the concern. The superintendent or designee will convene a meeting with the parent/guardian, which may include other school personnel. The superintendent or designee will issue a written final decision within 30 days of the appeal. This written notice should include the reason for the decision.
District Services
The District ensures equal opportunity for all students identified as gifted to receive services offered by the District. Service placement criteria shall be consistently applied as specified in the screening and identification criteria. The criteria used may not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, disability status, first language or socioeconomic status. Placement for District services shall match the criteria used in determining eligibility.
The district offers a variety of courses and enrichment opportunities. All students identified as gifted in appropriate areas will qualify for services as listed below.
Crestwood Primary and Intermediate School: Enrichment Services
Grade 2: Students identified as gifted in the specific academic areas of reading and/or math will be placed in a cluster to provide for differentiation within the classroom. The classroom teacher will receive ongoing professional development and support from a gifted intervention specialist.
Grades 3 - 5: Students identified in superior cognitive ability, math and/or reading will meet with a gifted intervention specialist in a resource pull-out room daily for an average of fifteen percent of the school week. The purpose of this resource room is to focus on process skills such as critical and creative thinking and problem solving.
Crestwood Middle School (Grades 7 - 8): Academic Placement
Students who have been identified in superior cognitive ability and/or reading will be placed in an advanced Language Arts class meeting for no less than one core content class period a day. Students in grades 7 - 8 who have been identified in superior cognitive ability and/or math will also be considered for Algebra I and Geometry, meeting for no less than one core content class period a day.
Crestwood High School (Grades 9-12): Academic Options
Students who have been identified in superior cognitive ability and/or reading have the opportunity to participate in the following courses: honors level coursework, Advanced Placement (AP) classes, or College Credit Plus (CCP). Gifted services include instruction that is differentiated from the standard curriculum in depth, breadth, complexity, pace, and/or content.
Written Education Plans
All school districts in Ohio reporting services to gifted students must have on file a copy of a Written Education Plan (WEP) for each student served. The WEP includes gifted identification information, gifted service placement with accompanying goals, methods for reporting progress to students and parents, the staff members responsible for ensuring that specified services are delivered, waiver for assignments, and date for annual review. Copies of the WEP will be provided to teachers, parents and will be filed in the student’s permanent folder.
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.
Adopted by Crestwood Local School Board, December 1998; Revised May 2020
All questions related to gifted screening and/or identification can be directed to the district gifted education staff:
Natalie Powell, Gifted Intervention Teacher
c/o Crestwood Intermediate School
330-357-8203, ext. 3208
npowell@crestwoodschools.org
Sherry Peters, Director of Pupil Services
c/o Crestwood Board of Education
330-357-8206, ext. 5010
speters@crestwoodschools.org