Gifted Brochure Updated 11-13 - 1 NEW - Copy

GiftedServices Doylestown, PA

Table of ContentsAcronyms Used in Gifted Education .........................................3Gifted Services Overview........................................................................4Characteristics of Gifted Learners ................................................5Gifted Identification......................................................................................6Frequently Asked Questions ...........................................................11Additional Resources ...............................................................................12

Acronyms Used in Gifted EducationCBA Curriculum-based AssessmentGAI General Ability IndexGIEP Gifted Individualized Education PlanGMDE Gifted Multi-Disciplinary EvaluationGMDT Gifted Multi-Disciplinary TeamGWR Gifted Written ReportIQ Intelligence QuotientIU Intermediate UnitLEA Local Education AgencyMDE Multi-Disciplinary EvaluationNORA Notice of Recommended AssignmentPAGE PA Association for Gifted EducationPDE Pennsylvania Department of EducationPHC Pre-hearing Conference 3

Gifted Services Overview The goal of Central Bucks School District’s academic programing for gifted and advanced learners is to provide extended curriculum, services, and opportunities to students who have demonstrated the need for learning experiences that are both above grade level and are presented at a more rapid rate and pace. In keeping with the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Chapter 16 regulations, a Gifted Individual Education Plan (GIEP) will be developed for students who are identified as mentally gifted and are demonstrating a degree of need for specially designed instruction. However, our flexible model for services enables us to meet the needs of all students who demonstrate the need for academic challenge beyond the regular education curriculum regardless of a gifted identification.4

Characteristics of Gifted LearnersWhat is the difference between the… A Bright Child A Gifted LearnerKnows the answerIs interested Asks the questionsIs attentive Is highly curiousHas practical ideas Is mentally involvedWorks hard Has unique and unusual ideas Plays around, yet tests wellAnswers the questions Discusses in detail, elaboratesListens with interest Shows strong feelings and opinionsLearns with ease Already knows6 – 8 repetitions for mastery 1 – 2 repetitions for masteryUnderstands ideas Constructs abstractions Prefers older children andEnjoys peers adults Draws inferencesGrasps the meaning Initiates projectsCompletes assignments Is intenseIs receptive Creates a new designCopies accuratelyEnjoys school Enjoys learningAbsorbs information Manipulates informationTechnician InventorMemorizes well Good guesserIs alert Is keenly observantEnjoys sequentialpresentations Thrives on complexityIs pleased with own learning Is highly self-critical 5

Gifted Identification Referral Students may be referred for gifted screening by classroom teachers or parents. Parents who believe their child may qualify for gifted identification should begin the process with a written request to their child’s teacher. During the referral process your child’s teacher will offer their insight and recommendation based on your child’s degree of need. Screening Students are screened by the student support counselor to determine if they are a viable candidate for individual I.Q. testing. Brief aptitude and achievement tests, as well as consultation with your child’s teacher, are considered to see if specific criteria for further testing are met. Only those children who meet those criteria are eligible for testing by a State Certified School Psychologist.6

Gifted Identification cont. EvaluationIf the student meets the screening criteria, a schoolpsychologist will conduct an individual evaluation using astandardized measure of cognitive ability. Parent consentwill be obtained through a Permission to Evaluate (PTE)that will be sent home with your child. Evaluation for giftedservices can begin only after parents have signed the PTEand returned it to the district. The evaluation will becompleted and shared with parents within 60 calendar daysof receipt of the signed PTE. Things to consider when requesting a screening for your child: Central Bucks School District monitors all students carefully and offers in-class opportunities to demonstrate mastery of skills and content. Demonstrated mastery is one variable that qualifies students for enrichment, curricular extensions, or acceleration in mastered curricular areas, regardless of whether they have been formally identified as gifted under Pennsylvania law. The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights estimates that only 6% of the student population in the United States are gifted and require specially designed instruction. 7

What if my child does not meet the screening criteria to move on to a full evaluation? Most students are not gifted. The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights estimates that only approximately 6% of the student population in the United States are gifted. The screening instruments and multiple criteria used in the early stages of the gifted identification process are designed to capture the greatest possible number of students who are potentially eligible for gifted identification under PA Chapter 16 and to advance them to further testing. Many extremely bright, talented, and successful students are not identified as gifted and have numerous opportunities to shine in Central Bucks School District. Children who are being tested for gifted identification are generally aware their parents love and accept them unconditionally. Despite inherently knowing this, their self-concept as a learner can be negatively impacted by continuing a process that may not result in the desired outcome of gifted identification (especially if they sense that this identification is of particular importance to their parents). While it is important that children do their best during a screening for gifted education, it is equally important that parents reassure their children that attaining a level of performance on screening instruments is immaterial.8

PA Department of Education Definition of Mentally Gifted An IQ of 130 or higher or multiple criteria strongly indicate gifted ability IQ TestingA certified school psychologist will conduct an individualevaluation using a standardized measure of cognitive ability. Locally Developed Multiple Criteria  Achievement test scores  Reading, Math, & Writing curriculum-based assessments  Teacher/parent input  Demonstrating a need for enrichment that cannot be met through a general education curriculum 9

PA Department of Education, cont. GIEP Students who meet the gifted criteria outlined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education will be formally identified as “gifted.” A Gifted Individualized Education Plan (GIEP) will be created, outlining specific areas of student strength. Annual goals are described, and individualized programming is recommended for developing these areas of strength10

Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is the appropriate age for gifted evaluation?Most children should be evaluated when they are in second grade orolder. Earlier testing may reflect behavioral interferences that maymask true abilities or rich pre-school experiences which arevirtually indistinguishable from advanced learning capabilities inyoung learners. Students may be re-evaluated each time theireducational placement is changed, and premature identification canresult in the child’s later ineligibility for continued formalidentification. All students whose classroom achievementconsistently indicates that they need advanced replacement workwill be offered the opportunity to develop above grade-level contentand skills.How often may a student be reevaluated?A student may be reevaluated one calendar year following his/herlast evaluation. It is recommended that parents and teachers discusswhether there is new data available that would increase thelikelihood of gifted identification before requesting reevaluation.May parents obtain testing from a private psychologist? Parentsmay, at their own expense, contract for gifted testing with a privatePA certified School Psychologist. Central Bucks School District willconsider this testing along with multiple criteria but is not requiredto accept the results.If my child was identified as gifted in another school district andtransfers to CBSD will they continue as gifted?When a student moves from one Pennsylvania school district toanother their GIEP remains in place until the student can bereevaluated for services in their new district. Students who havebeen identified as gifted in another state will go through the CBSDevaluation process. CBSD will consider documentation fromprevious school districts when conducting the reevaluation.What opportunities are available for students who are notidentified as gifted?More than half of CBSD students who are referred for giftedevaluation are not found to be “mentally gifted.” However, allstudents with a demonstrated need for academic advancement areeligible for curriculum enhancement or for acceleration. Formalidentification as “mentally gifted” is not required for students toaccess academic opportunities that meet their needs. 11

Additional ResourcesCentral Bucks School District Webpagehttps://www.cbsd.org/Page/664A webpage with information and resources relatedto the district’s academic programs for advancedlearners is maintained on the Central Bucks SchoolDistrict website.Pennsylvania Department of Educationhttp://www.education.pa.govInterested parties can find more information aboutgifted education, Chapter 16, and their rights on thePennsylvania Department of Education website.Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education(PAGE) https://www.giftedpage.org/PAGE is an organization of parents, teachers,educators, other professionals and communitymembers who collaborate to address the uniqueneeds of children who may be able to develop theirtalent potential with appropriate educationalexperiences.