Gifted Program

ODE-Approved Assessments 2021-2022
Pathways to Acceleration
OAGC Handbook for Parents
Hancock Gifted United – HGU
Webinars
Resources

Gifted Defined

Although all children are special and have unique abilities, not all children are gifted. Gifted children thrive on challenge and innovation. They have special educational needs that must be met in order for them to fully develop their intellectual, creative, artistic and academic capabilities or to excel in a specific content area. The following are definitions for the term gifted.

• The National Association for Gifted Children defines gifted as: someone who shows, or has the potential for showing, an exceptional level of performance in one or more areas of expression.
• The Ohio Department of Education defines gifted children as: students who perform, or show the potential to perform, at a higher level than other children of their age, experience, or environment.

Identification

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.

Gifted Operating Standards and Revised Code

Revised Operating Standards for Identifying and Serving Gifted Students, Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) 3301-51-15, were approved by the State Board of Education in July 2018. The new operating standards significantly “raise the bar” for gifted education services provided by districts, while creating new flexibility in providing appropriate challenges and supports for gifted and talented students. With the new standards, important changes include:

Ohio-Revised-Code-3324

Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) 3301-51-15 Operating Standards for Identifying and Serving Students Who are Gifted

Useful Links

• ODE Gifted Education

• Ohio Association for Gifted Children (OAGC)

Since 1952, The Ohio Association for Gifted Children has been working with families and educators to promote the best interest of gifted children.

OAGC advances understanding of the needs of the gifted, promotes establishment of programs and services for gifted students, and encourages the exchange of information on the national, state and local level. OAGC is an affiliate organization of the National Association for Gifted Children.

• National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC)

NAGC’s mission is to support those who enhance the growth and development of gifted and talented children through education, advocacy, community building, and research.

• Hoagie’s Gifted Education Page

• SENG: Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted