STUDENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT

GIFTED IDENTIFICATION & SERVICES

Information for Families in the Upper Arlington City School District

Dear Families,

This guide contains answers to frequently asked

questions about gifted identification procedures and

gifted services in the Upper Arlington City Schools.

Please contact us if you have questions.

Jaclyn Angle, Ed.D.

Director of Student Services

jangle@uaschools.org

Andrew Gillespie

Associate Director of Student Services

agillespie@uaschools.org

Jeanne Beaver

Gifted Services Coordinator

jbeaver@uaschools.org

Cynthia Ballheim

International Baccalaureate & AP Coordinator

cballheim@uaschools.org

2023-2024

What is "gifted"? In the state of Ohio, “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 Revised Code.

Student Services

Rusty Fumi, Program Secretary

614.487.5200

GIFTED IDENTIFICATION FAQ

What are the signs that a child may be gifted?

While there is no single profile that fits all gifted children, typically these students demonstrate the following characteristics well before their chronological peers:

acquire knowledge quickly; manipulate knowledge easily; see relationships between discrete pieces of information; understand knowledge at a complex level;
are capable of abstractions and generalizations;
show perseverance; appreciate humor; demonstrate an advanced vocabulary;
are independent in thought and judgment;
are curious about many problems and issues; and
are motivated by the unknown.

Are the signs of giftedness always obvious?

Not necessarily. It is important to know that children who have learning disabilities may be gifted. Twice-exceptional (2E) students are those who have learning disabilities AND are gifted in one or more areas.

Inconsistencies in a student’s abilities may be an indicator of twice-exceptionality. Identifying twice-exceptional students can be challenging because their areas of giftedness may compensate for their learning disabilities, and conversely, their disabilities may mask their giftedness. The Ohio Department of Education’s Twice Exceptional Guide lists characteristics of students who are twice-exceptional and describes strategies and interventions for addressing learning disabilities while
building on areas of strength.

The gifted characteristics of English language learners may be impacted by communication difficulties or cultural differences.

The Ohio Department of Education provides translated documents with information about gifted identification.

How are students identified as gifted?

In Ohio, school districts are required to identify students who are gifted in superior cognitive ability, specific academic ability (reading and/or writing, math, science, social studies), creative thinking ability, and visual and performing arts ability. Districts must screen all students at least once in grades K-2 and at least once in grades 3-6 in the areas of superior cognitive ability, reading and/or writing, math, and creative thinking ability.

Districts also must test students within 90 days of a student, parent, or teacher referral. Each student may be tested twice per school year in each area of giftedness. If grade level testing has been performed, that counts as one testing opportunity.

The Ohio Department of Education provides districts with a list of test instruments that may be used, as well as required scores for
identification.

How does Upper Arlington City Schools accomplish gifted testing?

We will screen all students in grades 2 and 4 for giftedness in superior cognitive ability, creative thinking ability, reading, and math. We will screen all 7th graders for giftedness in science and social studies. Whole-grade testing typically occurs in late fall/early winter. Students in other grades are tested upon referral in small groups or individually. We do not test students in the summer unless they are transferring into the district.

The Ohio Department of Education has approved the use of the STAR Reading test for gifted identification in reading in grades 3-12. STAR Reading is administered throughout the year.

From December to February, the Upper Arlington City School District conducts its Visual and Performing Arts gifted identification process. This process is for students who demonstrate indications of giftedness in the visual and performing arts. Although referrals will be accepted for any student in grades K-12, we recommend that students wait until the 4th grade to participate. Information and the referral form will be included in school newsletters each fall
and on the district website.

What tests does Upper Arlington use for gifted identification?

The Ohio Department of Education requires school districts to use tests on its approved list. We will use the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) and the Iowa Assessments for whole grade and small group testing, as well as the STAR Reading test (gr. 3-12). High school students may be identified as gifted via the ACT (reading, math, and science). Our school psychologists employ a variety of instruments from the approved list for individual administration.

What are the state's required scores for gifted identification?

Superior Cognitive Ability:

A score two standard deviations above the mean, minus the standard error of measurement, on an approved individual or group standardized cognitive abilities test

Specific Academic Ability (reading/writing, math, social studies, science):

Performance at or above the 95th percentile at the national level on an approved individual or group standardized achievement test in the academic area

Creative Thinking Ability:

A score one standard deviation above the mean, minus the standard error of measurement, on an approved individual or group standardized cognitive abilities test and sufficient performance, as established by the Department of Education, on an approved checklist of creative behaviors

Visual and Performing Arts Ability:

Sufficient performance, as established by the Department of Education, on an approved checklist of behaviors related to a specific arts area and demonstration through a display of work, an audition, or other performance or exhibition, superior
ability in a visual or performing arts area

What happens if my child's score is close to the state's required score?

Students who score within two points of the minimum required score on the CogAT (grades 2 & 4) and/or Iowa Assessments (grades 2, 4, & 7) will be retested in small groups in early spring. For individually administered tests, students who score within two points of the minimum required score are offered retesting with a different instrument. We will contact you in either situation to obtain your permission for retesting.

How will I know if my child is identified as gifted?

After whole grade or small group testing, you will receive a letter formally notifying you if your child has been gifted-identified in one or more areas. Individual test results are communicated by school psychologists. In Ohio, once a child is identified as gifted in a particular area, they are always identified as gifted in that area.

Is there an appeal process?

Parents/guardians may request reconsideration of the result of any part of the identification process. The superintendent or designee will convene a meeting with the parent/guardian. The superintendent or designee will issue a written final decision within 30 days of the
appeal.

Gifted Services FAQ

My child has been identified as gifted. What happens now?

While the state of Ohio requires gifted identification, it does not require districts to offer gifted services (gifted classes). Each district considers available funding and the needs of its student population to determine how to provide gifted services. While the state sets the criteria for gifted identification, each district determines the criteria it will use to qualify students for gifted services. Criteria must be objective and applied fairly and consistently. Every child who meets the criteria for a given service must be given the opportunity to participate in that service. If your child qualifies for gifted services, we will notify you. In Upper Arlington, the following gifted services are provided at the elementary and middle schools.

Grades	Gifted Class

3	Enriched Math 3
4                      Compacted Math 4/5A 5                      Compacted Math 5B/6

5	Gifted English Language Arts
6-8	Concilium English Language Arts

Criteria

Gifted identification in both superior cognitive ability and math

Gifted identification in both superior cognitive ability and
reading

High School

At the high school level, all students may choose from a wide variety of courses, regardless of gifted identification. Honors, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), College Credit Plus (CCP), and Project Lead the Way Engineering Pathway courses are excellent options for students seeking increased rigor and challenge.

The Ohio Department of Education considers these courses to be gifted service settings if teachers complete annual requirements for gifted education professional development. (CCP and arts instructors are exempt from this
requirement.)

Again this year, UAHS teachers who are gifted services providers will participate in high quality professional development on meeting the academic, social, and emotional needs of students who are gifted.

Gifted-identified students in Honors, AP, IB, CCP, and Project Lead the Way courses will be reported as served to the Ohio Department of Education if they are gifted in superior cognitive ability or in a specific academic, creative thinking, or visual and performing arts area that matches the content of the course. These students
will have Written Education Plans.

What is a Written Education Plan (WEP)?

A Written Education Plan, or WEP, is a document required for any gifted-identified student who is reported by the district as receiving gifted services. WEPs may look different from district to district but must include the following information, according to the Ohio Department of Education:

Descriptions of services to be provided and goals for each service; Methods for evaluating progress towards goals and how progress will be reported;
Staff responsible for ensuring delivery of each service;

Policies regarding waiver of assignments missed in the regular education classroom while a child participates in gifted services; and
Deadline for the next review of the WEP (typically the following school year).

A copy of the WEP must be provided to parents/guardians and to the teachers responsible for providing services. In our district, parents typically receive WEPs in late October, after teachers have had a chance to get to know their students.

Is there a deadline for qualifying for gifted classes?

Yes. For the purpose of qualifying for gifted classes in the following school year, gifted referrals for testing must be received by March 1 of the current school year to ensure that the testing can be completed by the last day of school. No gifted testing will take place in the summer except for students who have transferred into the district.

Students who qualify for gifted classes after the start of the current school year will begin those classes in the following school year.

Can I withdraw my child from a gifted class?

A student may withdraw from a gifted class at the written request of the parent or guardian. Your child will continue to be gifted-identified throughout his/her educational career. You may contact the school at any time to address concerns about your child’s education or to discuss gifted classes that are available in subsequent school years.

What if my child is identified as gifted in one or more areas but does not qualify for gifted classes?

Through our multi-tiered system of support (MTSS), the needs of our students are met through high quality, personalized instruction in the general education classroom. The district gifted coordinator and gifted intervention specialists in each building are available to consult with teachers on the design of lessons and resources for students who are gifted.

I am concerned that my child needs more academic challenge. What should I do first?

The first step is to speak to the teacher about your child’s present performance and level of engagement. Children may say they are bored for different reasons. Sometimes they already know the material in classroom lessons and need enrichments or extensions. Occasionally, children say they are bored in a particular setting because they wish to be in a different instructional group or class with a friend. Children who exhibit perfectionistic tendencies may not want to engage in lessons or activities because
of fear of not doing well.

What about acceleration?

Acceleration is an intensive intervention that is appropriate for a small percentage of the student population. Some children’s areas of strength are such that their needs cannot be met in the grade level classroom. Subject and whole-grade acceleration may be considered for any student, regardless of gifted identification.

For subject acceleration decisions, a school-based team that includes the parents will consider factors such as current level of performance, test results, social and emotional factors, and the student’s feelings about acceleration.

For whole-grade acceleration decisions, districts in Ohio are required to use the Iowa Acceleration Scale to determine whether a student is a good candidate for acceleration.

If you would like to discuss acceleration for your child, please contact your child’s principal. For research on acceleration, see the website for the
Acceleration Institute.

A parent-teacher conference can help to clarify what is happening and provide important information about a child’s progress and the differentiation methods the teacher has tried.

Social and Emotional Well-Being FAQ

Where can I find information about the
social and emotional needs of gifted children?

The gifted coordinator and building gifted intervention specialists are available to help. Additionally, the following organizations provide resources to families:

National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC)

Ohio Association for Gifted Children (OAGC)

SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted)

The OAGC has a parent division that meets regularly, and SENG offers local parent workshops. See their websites
for information.

What is the Upper Arlington City School District doing to help teachers to understand the needs and traits of gifted learners?

Each elementary and middle school building has two gifted intervention specialists (GIS) who have completed intensive training on giftedness and gifted education. The GIS provide information and resources to classroom teachers in their buildings. The gifted services coordinator is available to work with teachers K-12.

At the elementary and middle school levels, the gifted coordinator offers professional development for teachers interested in helping gifted learners to be confident self-advocates. At the high school level, the gifted coordinator and International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement Coordinator work together to provide professional learning sessions on
meeting the needs of gifted students.

Enrichment Opportunities

Upper Arlington Schools

Contact your school for information about available activities.

Central Ohio (not sponsored by Upper Arlington Schools)

Grades 6-8: Ohio Wesleyan University Junior League (OWjL) of Columbus is a residential summer camp program of challenge and enrichment for central Ohio’s gifted and talented middle school students currently in grades 6-8. It is sponsored by Ohio Wesleyan University and founded by the Junior League of Columbus, with major support from corporations, foundations, community service groups and individual contributions. Campers attending OWjL select four courses from an academic program that includes mathematics, logic, computing, science, humanities, and creative development. Cultural, recreational, and social activities round out the experience and include the annual OWjL dance, swimming, campus tours, crafts, and games. Attendees reside in Hayes Hall on the Ohio Wesleyan University campus, where they live in a family group atmosphere with an adult OWjL counselor. Approximately 540 campers are selected to attend the OWjL program, representing more than 120 middle schools in the central Ohio counties of Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Knox, Licking, Madison, Marion, Morrow, Pickaway, and Union.

Please see the Upper Arlington Schools Flyer Connection for more opportunities available in the community.

Upper Arlington Schools 1619 Zollinger Road
Upper Arlington, Ohio 43221 Phone: (614) 487-5000