MIAMI EAST LOCAL SCHOOLS

Question

Answer

What is a gifted student?

• “Gifted” children have been defined as those “who by nature of outstanding abilities are capable of high performance.” The term “outstanding abilities” refers to general intellectual abilities, specific academic aptitude, leadership ability, ability in the visual or performing arts, or creative thinking.

How are students identified?

• Whole grade screening testing or referral based

When are students identified?

• Whole grade testing occurs at the end of 2nd and 4th grade. 
• STAR Testing - Periodically 3rd through 12th grade.
• ACT Test - High school

How are students serviced?

• Students are clustered into small groups with like gifted identifications in the general education classroom.
• Students are served through Accelerations, Advanced Placement, Honors, and College Credit Plus courses.
• Students are provided services by general education teachers who have received professional development regarding meeting the needs of gifted learners.

How are K-2 students supported?

• Although this is not a gifted service, students may receive talent development (K-2) through differentiated instruction in the classroom setting. 

When are 3-12 students serviced?

• Gifted services begin in third grade.
• Third through eighth grade students are served through cluster grouping. Clusters include reading and math in grade 3-5 and reading, math, social studies, and science in grades 6-8. Students in grades 7-8 may be considered for taking courses qualifying under College Credit Plus. 
• Ninth through twelfth grade students are given the opportunity to choose from a variety of ODE accepted courses such as, Advanced Placement, College Credit Plus, and Honors courses. The general education classroom teachers of these courses will participate in professional development regarding meeting the needs of gifted learners through differentiated lessons in specific content areas. 

What is a WEP? 

• A WEP is a Written Education Plan. A WEP is a document written by the student’s gifted provider teacher that outlines the student’s goals and services for the year. 

What is the time span for a WEP?

• WEPs are an annual report and begin when services start. 

When will I receive WEP reports?

• WEP reports are communicated at the beginning of year, mid-year, and end of year.

What is a gifted pull-out? Who receives a gifted pull-out? 

• Pull-out is support offered to the classroom teacher by the district’s gifted intervention specialists. 
• Pull-out does not officially count as a gifted service. Gifted services are provided in the regular classroom setting through cluster grouping in grades three through eight.

Can students be referred for gifted testing?

• Yes, students can be referred by teachers and parents. In grades K-12, Miami East provides at least two opportunities per year for referred students to be tested. This requirement applies to all areas of identification. This testing must be completed within 90 days of the referral. This requirement cannot be met by reviewing previous test scores. Whole grade testing meets one of the opportunities for testing based upon referral.

Can students be assessed for identification in Visual and Performing Arts?

• Yes, testing is completed on referral request and opportunities are available twice per year.

What does it mean for a student to be identified as Superior Cognitive ability?

• The overall intellectual ability of a student, not necessarily tied to a specific academic subject. 
• Miami East services this identification in math and ELA. If a student is identified as a superior cognitive ability, they are serviced through content serviced areas.

What does it mean for a student to be identified as Creative Thinking ability?

• The overall creative ability of a student, not necessarily tied to a specific academic subject. 
• Miami East services this identification in math and ELA. If a student is identified as a superior creative ability, they are serviced through content serviced areas.