As the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Chapter 16 outlines, each school district shall adopt and use a system to locate and identify all students within that district who are thought to be gifted and in need of specially designed instruction.
In the Easton Area School District, a universal screener is given to all second graders. This screener may lead to further opportunities to measure a student's ability or start the evaluation process.
A School Psychologist conducts the evaluation process. They will administer a series of tasks and evaluate the student’s needs. Multiple criteria may be considered in the evaluation process. Multiple criteria can include a portfolio demonstrating achievement, performance, or expertise in one or more academic areas as evidenced by the excellence of products and evidence of intense academic interest and aptitude. A Gifted Written Report will be completed, and a team meeting will be scheduled to review the report and recommendations for any specially designed instruction.
Upon identification, the student team will meet to establish a Gifted Individualized Education Plan (GIEP). This plan will include Goals and Specially Designed Instruction (SDI). In compliance with Chapter 16 of the Pennsylvania School Code, GIEP documents are reviewed and updated annually. Part of this review is to determine if the student still needs Specially Designed Instruction (SDI).
As a result of the annual review this year, it may be determined that the student’s academic goals in the areas of English, Science, and Math are being met by their coursework in the regular education curriculum, and they are no longer in need of SDI; therefore no longer in need of a GIEP. This does not change their identification as gifted students; it simply means they no longer need specially designed instruction.