District Policy
for the Identification of and
Services for Students who are Gifted

Archbold Area Schools

Identification

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 section 3324.03 of the Revised Code.

How are children identified in Ohio?

Ohio law requires each school district to identify gifted students K-12 in the following areas:

• Superior Cognitive Ability
• Creative Thinking Ability
• Specific Academic Ability
• Visual & Performing Art
• Reading/Writing
• Dance
• Math
• Drama
• Science
• Music
• Social Studies
• Visual Arts

The Identification Steps

The pre-assessment part of the process involves gathering student data from a variety of sources including teacher, parent, and peer nominations, grades, portfolios, observations, review of student records, and outstanding products or performances.

The screening step examines the data gathered from the pre-assessment stage and determines if additional assessment is necessary. In making decisions about additional assessment, existing test data for students is not the sole determining criteria.  Qualified school personnel examine all available information about a student to determine if an evidence of possible giftedness exists for that student and conduct necessary additional assessment.

Assessment strategies provide additional data necessary for an identification decision and the delivery of services. Strategies for additional assessment include the individual and group testing requirements of Sections 3324.01-3324.07 of the Ohio Revised Code. Once qualified school personal has completed the assessment, the data obtained throughout the stages of identification are evaluated, the identification decision is made and student’s educational needs are determined. Parents will be notified of testing results.

Referrals

The district ensures there are ample and appropriate scheduling procedures for assessments (at least twice per year) and reassessing using items from the following list:

• Group tests
• Individually-administered tests t
• Checklists           
• Audition, performance
• Display of work
• Exhibition

Referral forms are available in the school offices

Special Populations

The district does not discriminate and ensures that special populations are included in screening and assessment procedures. Appropriate instruments are used to ensure that children who are culturally and linguistically diverse (minority and/or children who are limited English proficient, children from low socioeconomic status, and children with disabilities) are included.

General and Transfer Students

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. The district ensures that any child transferring into the district will be assessed within 90 days of the transfer at the request of the parent.  Parents shall contact the building principal.

Identification Criteria

A student shall be identified as exhibiting “superior cognitive ability” if the student did either of the following within the preceding 24 months:

• Scored two standard deviations above the mean, minus the standard error of measurement, on an approved individual standardized intelligence test administered by a licensed psychologist;
• Scored at least two standard deviations above the mean, minus the standard error of measurement, on an approved standardized group intelligence test;
• Performed at or above the 95% percentile on an approved individual or group standardized basic or composite battery of a nationally normed achievement test;
• Attained an approved score on one or more above-grade level standardized nationally normed approved tests.

A student shall be identified as exhibiting “specific academic ability” superior to that of children of similar age in a specific academic ability field if within the preceding 24 months the student performs at or above the 95% percentile at the national level on an approved individual or group standardized achievement test of specific academic ability in that field.  A student may be identified as gifted in more than one specific academic ability field.

A student shall be identified as exhibiting “creative thinking ability” superior to children of a similar age, if within the previous 24 months, the student scored one standard deviation above the mean, minus the standard error of measurement, on an approved individual or group intelligence test and also did either of the following:

• Attained a sufficient score, as established by the Department of Education, on an approved individual or group test of creative ability;
• Established sufficient performance, as established by the Department of Education, on an approved checklist of creative behaviors.

A student shall be identified as exhibiting “visual or performing arts ability” superior to that of children of similar age if the student has done both of the following:

• Demonstrated through a display of work, an audition, or other performance or exhibition, superior ability in a visual or performing arts area;
• Exhibited sufficient performance, as established by the Department of Education, on an approved checklist of behaviors related to a specific arts area.

Appeal Procedure

Parents have an opportunity to appeal any decision about the results of any screening procedure or the scheduling of children for assessment, or the placement of a student in any program for the receipt of services.

An appeal by the parent is the reconsideration of the results of any part of the identification process that would include;

• Screening procedures 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 building administrator outlining the nature of the concern. The superintendent or building administrator will convene a meeting with the parent/guardian, and may include other school personnel. The superintendent or building administrator will issue a written final decision within 30 days of the appeal. This written notice should include the reason for the decision(s).

Services

Archbold Local Schools ensure equal opportunity for all students identified as gifted to receive services offered by the district.

At this point in time, gifted identification is mandated by the State of Ohio; gifted services are not.  Archbold Local Schools set a high standard for all of our students.  We strive to meet the academic needs of our students in the regular classroom by using quality instructional strategies.  Our goal is to educate all students to their highest level of academic performance by providing a rigorous and relevant curriculum and encouraging the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Other services for gifted students may include the following:

• A differentiated curriculum
• Cluster grouping
• Mentorships
• Accelerated coursework
• Grade level acceleration
• The post-secondary option
• Advanced placement
• Honors classes
• Independent study

Other options identified in rules adapted by the Department of Education

Withdrawal

If at anytime a student wishes to withdraw from gifted programs or services, the parent or child should write the request to the building administrator. If children request to withdraw, parents will be notified. In each case, a conference will be scheduled to finalize the withdrawal process.

Assessment Instruments

Superior Cognitive Ability

• Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT-6)
  • Screening  - 120
  • Gr. K-2 - Identification – 127
  • Gr. 3-12 - Identification – 129
• Woodcock-Johnson III
  • Screening - 120
  • Identification - 127

Specific Academic Ability

• Iowa Tests of Basic Skills
  • Screening - 90th percentile
• Terra Nova 3rd Edition
  • Identification - 95th percentile
  • Identification - 95th percentile
• PLAN

Creative Thinking Ability

• Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT-6)
  • Screening - 110
  • Gr. K-2 - Identification - 111
  • Gr. 3-12 - Identification - 113
• Scales for Rating Behavioral Characteristics of Superior Students
  • Screening - 48-50
  • Identification - 51 & above

Visual and Performing Arts Ability

Ohio Department of Education Rubric for Scoring Visual Art/Music/Drama/Dance Performance

• Drama
  • Screening - 16
  • Identification - 20
• Visual Arts
  • Screening - 16
  • Identification - 21
• Music
  • Screening - 14
  • Identification - 18
• Dance
  • Screening - 20
  • Identification - 26

Scales for Rating the Behavioral Characteristics of Superior Students

• Drama
  • Screening - 54-56
  • Identification - 57+
• Music
  • Screening - 37-38
  • Identification - 39+
• Visual Arts
  • Screening - 59-61
  • Identification - 52+

Performance or Display of Work

Written Education Plans

All students receiving gifted services will have a written education plan (WEP) that meets the ODE requirements. Each WEP provides a description of the services to be provided for individual students including goals in each service specified including, but not limited to, academic goals, methods for evaluating progress toward achieving the specified goals, and methods and schedule for reporting progress to students.   Each WEP specifies staff members responsible for ensuring that specified services are delivered.  The written education plans (WEP) specifies policies regarding the waiver of assignments and the scheduling of tests missed while participating in any gifted services provided outside the general education classroom and include a date by which the WEP will be reviewed for possible revision.  A WEP will be provided to parents of all served children during Parent-Teacher Conferences.

Mission Statement

The Archbold Area Schools are committed to the pursuit of continuous improvement in the quality of education that stresses teamwork, integrity, the dignity of the individual, and a desire to make a positive difference in the greater community. Through the cooperative efforts of parents, teachers, students, and community members, an environment will be established where students have the opportunity to develop a Joy for Learning and an appreciation for the principles which will improve their Quality of Life.

District Contact Information