Gifted Education Resources

Gifted and Talented Resources

DEFINITION

“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 Ohio Revised Code.

 Gifted students need differentiated curriculum and instruction and support services in order to fully develop their cognitive, academic, creative and artistic abilities or to excel in a specific content area, including opportunities to exceed grade level academic indicators and benchmarks.However, the state has not yet instituted a mandate to serve every identified gifted child, nor has it provided the funding necessary to do so.

 Each district must define the criteria for services available in its district given the number of teachers and funding allotted by the state. Due to the wide range of ability and differing developmental needs of gifted students, no single service option can provide an optimal educational experience for all identified children. Therefore, a continuum of enrichment opportunities is recommended.

 Reference:

Ohio's Operating Standards for Serving Gifted Students
 

DISTRICT IDENTIFICATION PLAN

The district accepts referrals, screens and identifies, or screens and reassesses students who perform or show potential for performing at high levels of accomplishment in the areas of superior cognitive ability, specific academic ability, creative thinking ability, and/or visual and/or performing arts. The district must follow policy and procedures established in Ohio Administrative Code 3301-51-15.  These rules specify that assessment instruments must come from the list approved by the Ohio Department of Education.The Fairport Harbor Exempted Village School District follows eligibility criteria as prescribed by the Ohio Revised Code and Ohio Department of Education to identify youngsters who are gifted. The District identifies students in grades kindergarten through twelve that may be gifted in one or more of these areas:  superior cognitive ability, specific academic achievement, creative thinking ability, and/or the visual or performing arts. All students’ standardized test scores and other school performance measures are reviewed to determine the need for gifted screening and identification. In addition, parents, students, and/or teachers may recommend students for screening for possible identification.

 Our school district is committed to providing the highest level of services for all students. This includes our struggling learners, as well as, academically gifted or advanced students.

 Students are screened for gifted identification through testing in grades 2, 5 and 7.

 In addition, teachers, students, and parents can nominate students for screening. Parents have the right to request testing twice a year for the purpose of gifted education.

 Students are identified gifted in an academic area with an achievement score in the 95th percentile or higher on nationally- normed standardized tests.

Students are identified cognitively gifted with a score at or above two deviations above the mean, minus the standard error of measure on the cognitive test. We will be using the Iowa Test of basic skills which measures Specific Academic Ability and the CogAT for Superior Cognitive Ability. The Cognitive Abilities Test™ (CogAT®) Form 7 reflects the most current industry research in the measurement of cognitive abilities and learning styles.

Every student assessed with CogAT receives an Ability Profile score that highlights both the level and pattern of a student's ability. CogAT is unique in offering this score, which helps provide educational guidance for all students, not just those with high ability.

 Parents will receive a score report on how their child performed on the assessments. “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 Ohio Revised Code.

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

If you have questions about the identification of students as gifted in the Fairport Harbor Exempted Village Schools, please contact the Director of Special Education Services, 440-354-5400 x200, or your child's principal.