Gifted Page

What does Gifted mean?

Under the Ohio Revised Code, gifted students are those who perform or show potential for performing at remarkably high levels when compared to others children of their age.

Gifted Identification and Services

The state of Ohio requires all school districts to identify students under Ohio Administrative Code 3301-51-15, which are gifted in superior cognitive ability, specific academic ability, creative thinking ability, and visual and/or performing arts ability. Nationally, the number of students identified represents the top 3-5 percent of the population. There are four areas of identification:

Superior Cognitive

Score two standard deviations above the mean minus the standard error of measurement on an intelligence test, perform at or above the 95th percentile on a basic or composite battery of a nationally normed achievement test; or attain an approved score on an above grade-level standardized, nationally normed test.

Specific Academic Ability

Perform at or above the 95th percentile at the national level on a standardized achievement test of specific academic ability in that field. A child may be identified as gifted in more than one specific academic ability field.

Creative Thinking Ability

Score one standard deviation above the mean minus the standard error of measurement on an intelligence test and attain a sufficient score, as established by the Ohio Department of Education (ODE), on a test of creative ability or a checklist of creative behavior.

Visual or Performing Arts Ability

Demonstrate to a trained individual through a display of work, an audition, or other performance or exhibition superior ability in a visual or performing arts area and attain a sufficient score, as established by ODE, on a checklist of behaviors related to a specific arts area.

The identification process has three levels that give children an opportunity to show their potential giftedness. Preassessment strategies apply to all students and serve to create a pool of students for screening and identification. Screening strategies incorporate whole grade level testing done in the spring. Assessment strategies provide additional data necessary for an identification decision. Students may be identified in the latter two stages of the process if appropriate data is available. Tests are chosen from the state approved list of tests. The scores for determining giftedness are set and published in the Ohio Revised Code.

Data obtained as part of the identification process then may be used to determine appropriate educational services. It is important to note that services are not mandated under this Code. Each district may choose which areas to serve and in what method.

Resources

Coordinator's Favorite

National Association for Gifted Children

Ohio Department of Education

Ohio Association for Gifted Children (OAGC)

Council For Exceptional Children

Hoagies' Gifted Education Page

Eric Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education

Discovery School - Discovery Channel, need I say more.

Hoagies Gifted - Be sure to check out the Investigations page for lesson plans from all over the web.

ThinkQuest! Library - Internet lesson plans developed by students.

gifted-children.com - Directed to parenting concerns and issues.

gifteddevelopment.com - Includes articles, Stanford Test information, and characteristics of gifted kids.

gtworld.org - Comprehensive glossary and information on tests and what they mean, etc.

Other Sites of Interest

Each of the sites below has been recommended as great kids sites. If you have found a site or sites that you think other kids would like please email them to the coordinator at the address below.

General

Mathematics

Cut The Knot Check out the interactive activities. For all grade levels.

Fun Math Lessons Some unusual activities with lesson development for parents.

SOS Math A site for practicing higher level math skills.