Gifted Identification

Definition of a Gifted Student

The Ohio Revised Code (3324.03) states, "Gifted" students perform or show potential for performing at remarkably high levels of accomplishment when compared to others of their age, experience, or environment.  Annually, children who are gifted are identified by professionally qualified persons using a variety of assessment procedures.  

Identification Areas Include:  

A. Superior Cognitive Ability

B. Specific Academic Ability in one or more of the following content areas: Mathematics, Science, Reading/Writing (or combination of these skills) and Social Studies

C. Creative Thinking Ability

D. Visual or Performing Arts Ability

Gifted Identification

Once a student is identified as Gifted in any area, the student is included on a district report to the state of Ohio and the student's family is notified.  It is important to note that, according to Ohio law, there is no required "next step" after gifted identification.  Ohio does not mandate gifted services.

Talawanda, is however committed to providing a range of services to our gifted students.  Some gifted students' needs will be addressed in the regular classroom, while others qualify for participation in additional opportunities.  

The state of Ohio determines the criteria for gifted identification.  The criteria for participation in Talawanda's gifted services is determined by the district.  Service options are consistent within the district, and students who meet the criteria for participation will have equal access to these services for that grade level.

Every enrolled Talawanda student has the opportunity to be assessed for gifted identification at least twice during the school year.  The tests determine gifted identification in accordance with state law & district policy.  Results from the tests, as well as whole grade assessments, determine possible gifted service options.

Students may be identified as gifted in one or more of the following areas:

Superior Cognitive Ability - These tests produce a school ability score, which is similar to, but not the same as, an IQ test.  In essence, they measure a child’s reasoning ability and are predictors of a child’s ability to perform in an academic setting.  The required score for gifted identification in superior cognitive ability is two standard deviations above the mean minus the standard error of measurement on a nationally normed intelligence test.  The most commonly used assessment is the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) Form 8, which has 3 batteries of tests: Verbal, Quantitative, and Nonverbal. 

Specific Academic Ability  -  These achievement tests produce a percentile rank. A 95 percentile or higher is needed to be identified as gifted in a specific academic ability.  A National Percentile Rank (NPR) indicates a student’s rank with other students in the nation.  Percentile ranks range from 1 to 99.  We offer tests in the areas of mathematics, reading, science and social studies.

Creative Thinking Ability:  To obtain a creative thinking gifted identification, a student must score one standard deviation above the mean minus the standard error of measurement on an intelligence test AND attain a sufficient score, as established by the Department, on a test of creative ability or a checklist of creative behavior.

Visual/Performing Arts Ability:  To be identified as gifted, a student must demonstrate to a trained individual through a display of work, an audition, or other performance or exhibition, superior ability in a visual or performing arts area and attain a sufficient score, as established by the Department, on a checklist of behaviors related to a specific arts area.

Talawanda Students with Previous Gifted Identifications:

If your student has already been identified as gifted in any area, he/she remains identified as gifted in that area throughout his/her K-12 school career and does NOT need to achieve a gifted score again to maintain the gifted identification.