Scranton Schools

How do I know if my child is gifted?

There is no definite way to know when a child is gifted. Children identified as gifted typically have mental abilities in the upper two and one-half to three percent of the population. Parents are often the first to recognize a child's giftedness. There are numerous lists of characteristics or distinguishing features and attributes of gifted and talented children. Teachers and parents should interpret any single list, including this one, as exemplary rather than exclusive. Few gifted children will display all of the characteristics. Understanding the characteristics of gifted and talented children will help parents and teachers sharpen their observations of these children in two distinct ways: (1) While characteristics do not necessarily define who is a gifted child, they do constitute observable behaviors, and (2) these characteristics are signals to indicate that a particular child might warrant closer observation and could require specialized educational attention, pending a more comprehensive assessment. Click Identification page.

When are students identified and when do they start services?

Students are usually identified during the last semester of second grade; however may be identified K-12 grades. All second grade students are tested and administrated intellectual abilities tests and a creativity assessment; nominations/referrals are also accepted for other students at any time from one of the following ways: Parents, self-nomination, teachers and/or administrators, other family members, any interested person from the community, counselor, virtue of academic records, test scores and/or student products. (see nomination forms below).

If student was identified in second grade, the GT service would begin in third grade. For all other students, the service begin date would be the date parental permission was granted.

How will I know if my child has been identified?

Parents of students who are identified are contacted by the GT specialist, usually via a letter. Permission to participate in the GT program must be given by the parent before services can begin.

What information is used in identifying students?

A variety of evidence is used before student is placed in the Scranton Schools GT program. Achievement test scores, intelligence test or school ability test, creativity evaluation, teacher and parent rating scales (SIGS (Scales for Identifying Gifted Students), and academic records. A profile is developed then reviewed by the Identification Committee to determine the appropriate action. No single criterion or cut-off score may be used to exclude a student from placement. Teacher ratings may override poor test scores, and good normative information may outweigh negative teacher and/or parent ratings. Extra consideration and possible testing and data gathering may be used in identification of culturally different of other special cases. Parental consent is acquired before the student is placed in the program.

Do gifted programming/services change as students move from elementary to high school?

As students move from the elementary level to the high school level opportunities and programming efforts vary as does selection criteria for those opportunities. Identified elementary students are served 150 minutes a week through direct contact with the GT specialist (40 minutes of whole-class enrichment and 110 minutes in a pull-out program). Students are seventh grade are provided with 150 minutes a week of pull-out services. At the high school level, the identified students are served by one or more of the following: Advanced Placement courses, Concurrent College Credit Courses, or Secondary Content Differentiation. For more specifics, contact the GT specialist kcook@scrantonrockets.net

If my child was in another district's gifted program, is he/she guaranteed placement in Scranton School District GT program?

Participation in a gifted program in another school district does not necessarily qualify a student for gifted service in the Scranton School District. The student's GT file is reviewed and evaluated. If more information is needed, the GT specialist will administer further assessments. The new student's data is evaluated in the same way we evaluate the needs of all Scranton School District students. At the high school level, the counselor analyzes the student's transcripts and works with the student to find appropriate course selections and extracurricular opportunities.

How can I find out about different extracurricular opportunities that might appeal to my gifted child?

Contacting the GT specialist is the most efficient way for options to be reviewed.