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.

For more information, see the PA Chapter 16 Regulations for Gifted Services.

The Shippensburg Area School District utilizes a 4-tiered gifted universal screening and identification process. This process begins at:

• Tier 1 with analysis of already implemented diagnostic, standardized test scores (e.g., PSSAs, IXL/iReady, Acadience).  If the student meets the threshold requirements, the parent will be emailed a permission to screen form that will cover screening for both Tiers 2 and 3. 
• Tier 2 - The student will then be evaluated in a small group using the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test which is completed on the computer.
• Tier 3 - The student will be evaluated by a school psychologist individually using a brief intelligence test and teachers will fill out two rating scales about the student's abilities (Tier 3). 
• Tier 4 - The parents will be sent a permission to evaluate (PTE) form.  Once this form is signed and received by the school district, we have 60 calendar days to complete the testing and report.  The school psychologist will complete a psychological-education evaluation and incorporate all tiered results in to a Gifted Written Report (GWR).  Parents will be sent a copy of this report by the 60th day. 

The following services are available to all Shippensburg Senior High School students with a Classification of Gifted.  

   1.  Progress Monitoring by their assigned Gifted Coordinator

   2.  Scheduling conference with the Gifted Coordinator and/or Guidance Counselor

   3.  Priority Scheduling

   4.  Access to College coursework; paid by the school district.  {Guidelines apply}

   5.  Yearly meeting with the GIEP team to to revise goals and SDI or to determine if a GIEP is needed