Gifted Education

Definition

  • Gifted Education is defined in Chapter 16 of the Pennsylvania School Code as outstanding intellectual and creative ability, the development of which requires specially designed programs and/or support services not ordinarily provided in the regular education program. The term includes a person who has an IQ of 130 or higher and when multiple criteria indicate gifted ability.  Determination of gifted ability will not be based on IQ score alone.  A person with an IQ score lower than 130 may be admitted to gifted programs when other educational criteria in the profile of the person strongly indicated gifted ability.  Determination of mentally gifted shall include an assessment by a certified school psychologist.

  • Parents who believe their child may be in need of gifted education may request a screening to determine if further testing is needed. The request shall be made in writing, addressed to the building principal or guidance counselor or director of special education, and should explain why evaluation is necessary.

 

Screening

  • Shippensburg Area School District utilizes a universal screening and identification process.

 

  • Elementary Level – The student’s teacher completes a nomination form.  The school psychologist will cross reference student names with iReady scores.  The teachers will then complete rating scales for students who were nominated and have earned cutoff scores for iReady.  These students will then participate in the CogAT gifted screener.  If the student earns a score at or above the cutoff, the special education office will issue a Permission to Evaluate in order to complete a psychological-education evaluation by a school psychologist.

 

  • Secondary Level – The student’s teacher completes a nomination form.  The school psychologist will cross reference student names with PVAAS scores.  The teachers will then complete rating scales for students who were nominated and have earned cutoff scores for PVAAS.  These students will then participate in the CogAT gifted screener.  If the student earns a score at or above the cutoff, the special education office will issue a Permission to Evaluate in order to complete a psychological-education evaluation by a school psychologist.

Programming

  • Elementary
  • Middle
  • High School

 

Resources

Types of Acceleration

Gifted Education Frequently Asked Questions

Gifted Program Guidelines