Gifted Services FAQ

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.

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.

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 & Workforce’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 learners may be impacted by communication difficulties or cultural differences. The Ohio Department of Education & Workforce provides information about gifted identification for English learners.

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 & Workforce provides districts with a list of test instruments that may be used, as well as required scores for identification.

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 & Workforce 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, Upper Arlington Schools conducts a 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.

The Ohio Department of Education & Workforce 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. High school students may be identified as gifted via the PSAT and SAT (reading and math) and ACT (reading, math, and science) tests. Our school psychologists employ a variety of instruments from the approved list for individual administration.

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

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

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.

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.

The state of Ohio requires gifted identification; however, 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 applied fairly in all cases, and 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. You can review the gifted services provided in Upper Arlington in this document. 

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.

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.

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.

Classroom teachers differentiate instruction for their students in a variety of ways to provide appropriate levels of challenge. They use formative assessments to determine what their students already know and are able to do. Gifted intervention specialists and the gifted services coordinator are available at each school to consult with teachers on the design of lessons and resources for students who are gifted.

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. 

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.

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.

School counselors and 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 the 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.

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.

The coordinator also facilitates professional development sessions for elementary and middle school teachers. 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 students who are gifted.