Gifted Programming
The Shenango Area School District implements a system to identify students within the district who are thought to be gifted and in need of specially designed instruction. The District’s gifted screening process is designed to identify potentially gifted students who may need further evaluation. The Gifted Multidisciplinary Evaluation (GDME) will begin with parental permission when further evaluation is needed. The Shenango Area School District complies with the standards and regulations set forth in Chapter 16 of the PA School Code for identified gifted students by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Gifted support services are provided to mentally gifted students that are consistent with their individual needs, outstanding abilities, and potential for performing at high levels of achievement.
The process of determining gifted eligibility begins with a collection of information from a variety of sources, such as scores of cognitive abilities and achievement tests, grades, and teacher ratings. When multiple criteria indicate that the student may need instruction beyond the regular education curricula, both an individual test of intelligence and achievement test are administered and information from parents is requested. Parental permission is obtained prior to collecting the initial data and before any assessments are administered. When a student meets the criteria, a Gifted Individualized Education Program (GIEP) is developed and Notice of Recommended Assignment (NORA) is presented for parental approval of the program and placement. Types of services and programming based on the child’s individual needs will be established by the Gifted Individualized Education Plan (GIEP) team.
Procedural Safeguards
Please click here to access a copy of Chapter 16 Procedural Safeguards.