Gifted and Talented

Gifted Identification and Services

Gifted refers to 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 Ohio Revised Code.

The areas of identification are:
Superior Cognitive Ability
Specific Academic Ability
(Mathematics, Reading, Science and Social Studies)
Visual and/or Performing Arts Ability
(Visual Art, Music, Dance, Drama)
Creative Thinking Ability

SPARK
Check out SPARK – our district parent support organization for gifted and advanced students!

Gifted Identification & Screening
A student is identified as gifted based upon nationally-normed standardized tests which fall on the ODE Approved Assessments for the Purpose of Gifted Screening/Identification List (available here).

The “District Gifted Screening & Identification Overview” is available via a link posted to this page under “Resources” and from each school’s Guidance Counselor. It includes tests administered within our district and/or available to students within the district. These may be whole-grade scheduled group tests that all students take - i.e. 3rd, 5th, and 8th grade or individually-administered assessments. If a student receives a score = 95th percentile or is 2 standard deviations above the mean, minus the standard error of measurement, he/she is identified as gifted in that area. A screening score suggests that further assessment may be necessary.

It is important to determine whether additional assessment for the purpose of gifted screening/identification is appropriate and necessary for each student. Consideration of service options and selection criteria needed for programming eligibility is imperative to ensure that the most appropriate decisions are made. Many enrichment opportunities, arts-related opportunities, Honors courses, AP courses, etc. may not require gifted identification and/or may use other student selection criteria. Assessment is helpful when it is useful and assists a student in attaining the most rigorous and appropriate courses/programs possible.

How Do I Know If A Child Is Gifted?

There are many characteristics of gifted students which may be helpful when making the decision whether to refer a child for gifted screening and/or assessment. The list available HERE may provide guidance.

Referral for Gifted Screening/Identification
The District ensures that there are ample and appropriate scheduling procedures for assessments and reassessment using:

Individually-administered tests
Checklists
Group Tests

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

Child request (self-referral);
Teacher recommendation;
Parent/guardian request;
Child referral of peer; and/or
Other (i.e. psychologist, community members, principal, gifted coordinator, etc.)

The District shall provide at least two opportunities per year for assessment in the case of each student requesting assessment or referred for assessment. The district provides four Gifted Assessment Windows per year: August 15-September 15, November 15-December 15, February 15-March 15, and May 15-June 15 for children requesting assessment or referred for assessment to ensure referred students are assessed within 90 days of referral. Referral forms must be submitted by the day preceding a Gifted Assessment Window to ensure testing occurs during said Window. All assessments are administered by qualified personnel, with results available within 30 days of assessment. The deadline for data collection to inform student eligibility for Gifted / Advanced Programming in grades 4-8 is June 15th. Thus, any requested testing should occur within the windows which precede this date for placement the following school year.

A Gifted Referral Form is available for download via the link provided under “Resources” on the right side of the webpage. It can also be procured from the Guidance Counselor within each school or by clicking on the link on this page

K-12 Programs & Services for Gifted and/or Advanced Learners
Information regarding programs and services available to gifted and/or advanced students in grades K-12 is available from each school’s Guidance Counselor or by clicking the link available under the Resources and Forms section of this page on the right side of the page.

Recommended Books for Gifted Students K-College and Their Parents/Guardians

News of Interest to Identified Gifted Students

Attention gifted/advanced students currently in grades 6-9…

Northwestern University’s Above-Grade Testing Program is a research-validated, above-grade-level testing program that locally offers the ACT (in grades 6-9), and the SAT (in grades 6-9) for eligible students. (The PSAT 8/9 is only available on the Northwestern University campus for gifted students in grades 3-6.) The ACT and SAT are internationally recognized measures of academic ability designed for older students. Studies show that there are definite and large ability differences among students who score in the top 10% on grade-level tests. When these students take tests meant for older students, the differences are more apparent, and instruction can be better adapted to meet their individual needs.

An eBlast mailing is sent to families of all identified gifted students in grades 6-9 each fall, which provides registration information and guidance. It is available on this webpage after it has been sent, under Resources.

Attention gifted and advanced students in grades 2-12….

The Center for Talent Development at Northwestern University sponsors virtual, hybrid , and in-person programming each year. Visit this site to learn more.