Gifted Support Services

Students are first screened using several measures, including:

• CogAT (reasoning test)
• Benchmarking assessments based on grade level (LinkIt, Acadience Reading, etc)
• Teacher recommendations

Students who show strong performance may be recommended for a full evaluation.
Families will be notified if their child is selected for further testing.

School psychologists complete a detailed evaluation to understand each student’s strengths and needs.

Testing includes:

• Cognitive testing (IQ and ability measures)
• Reading and math skills
• Teacher input
• Parent input

If a student qualifies, the team creates a Gifted Individualized Education Plan (GIEP).

A GIEP outlines:

• Gifted services and supports
• Learning goals
• Specially designed instruction

The GIEP team (including parents) meets each year to review progress.

Gifted students receive:

• Enriched learning experiences
• Accelerated instruction when appropriate
• Differentiated teaching based on:
  • Pace
  • Depth
  • Level of challenge

Elementary School

• Enrichment and extension activities
• Opportunities to explore areas of strength
• Pull-out instruction based on each student’s GIEP

Middle School

• Advanced math options
• Independent project-based learning
• Pull-out instruction based on each student’s GIEP

High School

• Most students’ gifted needs are met through honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses, dual enrollment opportunities, and elective classes.
• If your child’s gifted needs can be met through these course options, they will continue to be identified as gifted but will no longer need a Gifted Individualized Education Program (GIEP) with annual goals. This decision is made by the GIEP team during your child’s meeting.
• If the GIEP team determines that your child needs additional support beyond the available course offerings, they will continue to receive specially designed instruction through a GIEP with individualized goals.

GIEPs are created when students need additional support beyond regular coursework.