If a student is suspected of being gifted by school personnel a screening is completed prior to referral for a multidisciplinary evaluation. If you have any questions about Gifted Support Services or eligibilty and/or evaluations, please contact your building Principal. The school psychologist will then administer a test of cognitive ability. Children scoring in the 90th percentile or higher will qualify to move through a district created matrix to determine the need for a full evaluation. The first grade teachers in the regular classroom setting administer the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT) Eighth Edition. Otherwise, an initial general screening of all first graders shall occur. These data points will be used as part of the evaluation process, if appropriate, as the source of multiple criteria as required by Chapter 16 of the PA School Code. Student data is assigned a point value along with parent/teacher rating scales and masking traits to calculate movement through the three levels of the gifted matrix. This process is determined through a matrix of assessments based on grade level appropriate benchmarks and state level testing. If a parent or teacher requests an evaluation for an exceptionally high achieving student prior to the 1st grade or at any grade level and there is supporting evidence/data, the district will move forward with an evaluation. The Pennsylvania Department of Education states that the local school district is primarily responsible for identifying all “children with exceptionalities,” meaning “children of school age who have a disability or who are gifted and who, by reason thereof, need special designed instruction exceptional children and developing educational programs to meet their needs” (24 P.S. Code - 16.1)įlexibility is employed to assure students with disabilities and/or multicultural backgrounds are afforded an opportunity to meet eligibility criteria. "Mentally gifted is defined as outstanding intellectual and creative ability, the development of which requires specially designed programs or support services, or both, not ordinarily provided in the regular education program." (22 Pa. Screening and evaluation procedures utilized to determine eligibility for the Academic Enrichment program include individual achievement test scores in reading and writing, student grades, cognitive testing using a standardized instrument and input from the referral source specifying areas of suspected mental giftedness. The Upper Darby School District follows the guidelines according to Chapter 16 to identify Gifted students within the school district. If you feel that your child may be eligible for gifted support services or is gifted as defined by Chapter 16 of the PA School Code, please contact your child's Principal for further information.Įligibility Determination/Screening and Evaluation The School District is obligated to locate and find gifted children who reside in within the boundaries. High achievement, conformity to expectations, a "good work ethic" or intense interest in a particular subject or hobby alone will not suffice. The mentally gifted student needs enrichment or acceleration, or both, and without it will not receive an appropriate education. Course offerings typically change each year and focus on the project based, real world applications of each subject area.Definition of a mentally gifted student in need of Gifted SupportĪ mentally gifted student has outstanding intellectual and creative ability, the development of which requires special services and programs not ordinarily provided in the regular education program. Students attending the middle school enroll in 3 classes each semester for a total of six different courses each year. Students at the K-6 level are enrolled in one course that lasts all year and two additional semester-long courses. The Gifted Center curriculum allows students the opportunity to complete hands-on, independent projects that match their interests. Technology instruction is a major focus at the Center and is infused in all curricula. All courses focus on process skills which include problem solving, self-directed learning, interaction, creative thinking, higher-level thinking, and decision making. Students who attend the Gifted Center enroll in a variety of courses in the humanities, math, and/or science content areas. When not attending the Center, the needs of gifted students are met at their home schools. Students meet weekly at the Pittsburgh Gifted Center at Greenway where they participate in accelerated, hand-on courses. The elementary gifted support program provides opportunities for students to enhance their individual strengths and interests with specifically designed activities and enrichment experiences.
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