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. A list of assessment instruments and scores used for screening and identification may be found in the brochure “Assessment Instruments Used for Gifted Identification” which is available in school offices, in the Northeastern Central office, and electronically at the Gifted Services website.

Children may be referred to the Northeastern Central office by teachers, parents, by child self-referral, or by others with knowledge of the child’s abilities.

Referral forms, which include a list of characteristics often found among gifted students, are available in school offices, in the Northeastern Central office, and electronically at the Gifted Services website. Anyone completing a referral may request a consultation with Gifted Services staff to discuss the child’s profile of abilities and characteristics. Referrals are processed through Gifted Services Case Review to determine whether 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 gifted identification.

The District provides two testing opportunities per year to identify gifted students. Trained professionals conduct the testing. Parent permission is obtained prior to testing. Tests used by the district are appropriate (valid) for use in gifted identification.

The data review and referral processes are designed to ensure equal access to screening and further assessment by all district children, including culturally or linguistically diverse children, children from low socioeconomic backgrounds, children with disabilities, and children 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.

For gifted children transferring into the district, if additional testing is required to determine the student’s eligibility for services, it will be conducted as soon as possible, but at least within 90 days of the transfer.

The district accepts test scores provided by other school districts and/or by trained personnel outside the district, such as licensed psychologists and school psychologists. Tests must be those approved for use in the identification of gifted students by the Ohio Department of Education (ODE). A list of tests approved by ODE for use in gifted identification is available from the Northeastern Central office and on the Ohio Department of Education website.

Parents / guardians are notified of test results and of their child’s eligibility or non-eligibility of gifted identification within 30 days of receipt of test results. The child’s teachers will also be notified of pertinent test results.

If there is a disagreement about test results, student identification, and/or eligibility for services, parents may request a review conference with the school principal and/or the Gifted Coordinator. If issues remain, parents may make a written request that the Assistant Superintendent conduct an administrative review of the case.

Students who need the challenge and rigor in a certain academic area may be placed in a higher grade for that subject area only, on a case-by-case basis.  A committee of teachers, administrators, gifted personnel and parents will be part of the Acceleration Team that will be involved in the decision-making process.

Students who exceed current grade level work may be placed ahead a whole grade level on a case-by-case basis.  A committee of teachers, administrators, gifted personnel and parents will be part of the Acceleration Team that will be involved in the decision-making process.

Students identified as gifted in the area(s) of Superior Cognitive  in grades 3-8 may receive direct service from a gifted intervention specialist in a small group setting.  Selection of students for this service is based on the established set of criteria determined by NELSD and may vary from year to year.

High school students are encouraged to enroll in honors classes in the academic areas in which they are identified as gifted.  These classes vary from college preparatory classes in the pace, depth, and rigor of study.

During their junior and senior years, students may enroll in Advanced Placement classes that vary in the pace, depth, and rigor of study.

High School students may elect to attend local colleges or universities during their high school years.  Credits for high school and college can be earned concurrently.  Students may be dual enrolled, taking classes at the high school and college, or they may be enrolled full-time at the college level.

NELSD values educational experience outside of the regular classroom setting that is beneficial to the process of life-long learning.  Therefore, when properly supervised and documented alternative educational opportunities may apply.