Gifted Education
Gifted Services
Indian Valley Local Schools is committed to supporting the academic and personal growth of students identified as gifted. Through collaboration with families, educators, and community partners, the district provides a range of services tailored to the unique strengths and needs of gifted learners. These services are designed to offer enriched and challenging instruction that promotes critical thinking, creativity, and high levels of academic achievement.
Students identified as gifted are provided access to a continuum of services aligned with the Ohio Operating Standards for Identifying and Serving Students Who Are Gifted. Service delivery is based on the student's specific area(s) of identification and may include cluster grouping, honors courses, acceleration, or college-level coursework. To the greatest extent possible, students are placed in service settings with others who have similar or related gifted identification areas.
All general education teachers providing gifted services meet the state's professional learning requirements, including required clock hours of specialized training in gifted education and ongoing collaboration with educators holding gifted licensure or endorsement.
Screening
Indian Valley Local Schools actively seeks to identify and serve students who may qualify for gifted services. In compliance with Ohio law, the district provides:
- Whole-grade screening: in grades 2 and 5 for superior cognitive ability and K-12 screening for specific academic ability in math and reading.
- Referral-based screening: twice per year (fall and spring) in all gifted areas.
Identification and Services
Students may be identified as gifted in one or more of the following areas:
- Superior Cognitive Ability
- Specific Academic Ability
- Creative Thinking Ability
- Visual or Performing Arts Ability
Services are offered through multiple settings and instructional models, including:
- Cluster grouping with a minimum of three gifted students in the same or related area(s) of identification
- Direct instruction from Gifted Intervention Specialists (grades 4–5)
- Honors courses in grades 6–12
- Advanced Placement (AP) and College Credit Plus (CCP)
- Acceleration (subject or whole-grade), as appropriate
The district ensures equitable access to services for all identified students, including those from underrepresented populations, English learners, students with disabilities, and those who transfer into the district.
Written criteria for service placement are available and ensure that eligibility is not limited by factors such as socioeconomic status, language background, or disability.
Written Education Plans (WEPs)
All students receiving gifted services have a Written Education Plan (WEP) developed and reviewed annually. Each WEP includes:
- Measurable academic goals aligned to the Ohio Learning Standards
- Service descriptions tailored to the student’s strengths and educational needs
- Progress monitoring methods
- Staff responsibilities for delivering services
- A method and schedule for reporting progress to families
The district makes a reasonable effort each year to obtain parent input and signature on the WEP. A lack of parent signature will not prevent the student from receiving services.
Resources
Ohio Gifted Education – Overview
Gifted Screening and Identification
Parent Resources on Gifted Education
Ohio Administrative Code 3301-51-15 – Gifted Operating Standards
Indian Valley Local’s Gifted Policy and Plan
For additional information or questions about gifted identification or services, please contact your building principal.