Gifted Identification

Ohio Gifted Definition

Children in grades kindergarten through 12th may be identified as gifted in Ohio when they perform or show potential for performing at remarkably high levels of accomplishment in comparison with other children of the same age, experience, and environment, as described in the Ohio Revised Code 3324.03 and in Ohio Administrative Code 3301-51-15. A gifted child may exhibit one or more of these abilities: superior cognitive ability; specific academic ability in mathematics, reading, writing, or a combination of those skills, science, and/or social studies; creative thinking ability; and/or visual or performing arts ability.

Data Review Process

When district-wide ability and/or achievement testing is completed at any grade level, results are reviewed by the Gifted Services office to determine if students meet criteria for gifted identification, or if they meet criteria for screening and additional assessment. Parents will be notified of results through ParentSquare. A list of assessment instruments and scores used for screening and identification may be found electronically at the Gifted Services website.

• Gifted Identification Plan

Testing and Referral Process

The district provides multiple testing opportunities each year to identify gifted students, including whole grade-level screenings and small group assessments.  Please see the chart below for upcoming testing opportunities for the 25-26 year.  Students will automatically be screened for academic giftedness in the areas of reading and math 3 times per year with the STAR assessment.  Additionally, the district offers several opportunities for students to be referred and assessed for cognitive giftedness.  Please see the chart with electronic links for referral forms below.  A referral form is not required for the whole grade-level assessments.  Referral links will be posted in January 2026 for the small group testing sessions offered during the second semester.  Tests used by the district for the purpose of gifted identification must be selected from the approved assessment list provided by the Ohio Department of Education.  

The testing and referral process are designed to ensure equal access to screening and further assessment by all district students, including culturally or linguistically diverse students, students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, students with disabilities, and students for whom English is a second language.  The testing process also ensures accurate measurement of the ability and achievement of students with physical and/or sensory impairments.  

Students may be referred for gifted assessments by teacher, parents, by self-referral, or by others with knowledge of the child’s abilities.  Anyone completing a referral may request a consultation with Gifted Services staff to discuss the child’s profile of abilities and characteristics. Referrals are reviewed and processed by the department prior to the assessment to determine if an individual assessment is required and whether tests must be administered in a language other than English in order to fairly determine a child’s eligibility for identification. 

Gifted Testing Fall 2026