WCS Gifted Policies
General Gifted Policies
DISTRICT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Our school district prides itself on providing equal opportunity for all of our students. The Gifted and Talented program is designed to ensure that all students, regardless of culture, race, language, gender, or handicapping conditions have the opportunity to be identified as gifted and receive services when appropriate.
CRITERIA FOR GIFTED IDENTIFICATION ASSESSMENT
Wapakoneta City School District follows the identification eligibility criteria as specified in Section 3324.01.07 of the Ohio Revised Code and the Ohio Operating Standards for Identifying and Serving Gifted Students. At present, no state requirements exist for services for identified students. Students in grades K-12 who are identified as gifted in accordance with state guidelines may not necessarily be eligible for gifted services in Wapakoneta City Schools.
The Ohio Department of Education requires all school districts to offer two opportunities per year to parents to have their children assessed for possible gifted identification. All referrals for gifted assessment are accepted and the district does not discriminate in any way.
The Ohio Department of Education published an approved list of tests that may be used for gifted assessment. Wapakoneta City Schools uses a variety of assessments for this purpose.
To be identified as gifted, a student must be assessed using one of the instruments approved by the Ohio Department of Education and must score in a defined range. Opportunities for assessment are offered twice a year. Wapakoneta City Schools ensures that there will be ample and appropriate scheduling procedures for screening assessment (and reassessment) including group tests and individually administered assessments.
Parent requests for reassessment must be submitted in writing by October 15th for fall testing and March 15 for spring testing. This form should be completed for referrals from family members: https://forms.gle/DufAEpcvoUkscS1d9
APPEAL PROCEDURE
Parents or students may request a review of the assessments used for identification of gifted students, the scheduling of assessments, the placement of students in activities or programs, or the services granted for gifted students. This request must be submitted in writing to the student’s building principal. Upon receiving the request, the principal will convene a meeting that will include the parents and appropriate staff members, as well as the student, when appropriate.
GIFTED SERVICE OPTIONS
The Ohio Department of Education defines a gifted student as one who performs or shows potential for performing at remarkably high levels of accomplishment when compared to others of their age, experience, or environment in one of the gifted areas.
Wapakoneta City Schools is committed to providing a challenging and enriching educational environment for all students, including those identified as gifted. Our Gifted Service Options Plan outlines the services and opportunities available to gifted students in compliance with Ohio's state requirements and reflects our commitment to nurturing the potential of every student.
Service Options
1. Differentiated Instruction:
Elementary School Level:
In-class differentiation by classroom teachers to provide enriched learning experiences tailored to individual student needs.
Enrichment Classes during Walk To Intervention in Grades 3 and 4
Whole Class Enrichment Experiences
Middle School Level:
In-class differentiation by classroom teachers to provide enriched learning experiences tailored to individual student needs.
Math classes designed exclusively for gifted students in order to provide a stimulating and challenging environment that encourages deeper understanding, critical thinking, and advanced problem-solving skills.
Enrichment Experiences during Walk To Intervention
High School Level:
Honors courses.
College Credit Plus (CCP) opportunities for dual enrollment in high school and college courses.
2. Acceleration:
Early entrance to kindergarten.
Subject acceleration for students performing significantly above grade level in specific subjects.
Whole-grade acceleration based on comprehensive evaluation.
3. Written Education Plans (WEPs) for Gifted Students:
Development of Written Education Plans (WEPs) tailored to the specific strengths and needs of each gifted student.
Regular review and update of WEPs with input from teachers, parents, and the students themselves.
5. Professional Development for Educators:
Ongoing training for teachers on best practices for differentiating instruction and meeting the needs of gifted learners.
Collaboration opportunities with gifted education specialists and coordinators.
6. Counseling and Support Services:
Counseling support to address the social and emotional needs of gifted students.
Guidance on college and career planning for high school students.
TERMINATION OF GIFTED SERVICES
At any point a student and/or parents /guardians may request that their child no longer participate in Gifted activities. This request must be made in writing to the building Principal. The principal or coordinator of gifted services may convene a meeting that will include parents, appropriate staff members, and the student, when appropriate. If a child requests to withdraw, parents will be notified.
Specific Programming Policies
PDF Version
Academic acceleration may involve whole-grade acceleration or individual subject acceleration. Academic acceleration occurs when a student is not only doing the caliber of work necessary to be promoted to the next grade or enrolled in the next course in the academic sequence, but also demonstrates the ability to do the caliber of work required of students in that next grade level/subject/course.
The Credit Flexibility plan acknowledges that Ohio’s competiveness in the 21st century’s global economy requires that opportunities for innovation be enhanced, that our systems of learning become more flexible and more adaptive to the environments that surround them, and that our capacity and will to support student learning be expanded.
Early Admittance to Kindergarten
It is WCS Board of Education Policy that students that are 5 years old on or before August 1, are eligible for Kindergarten. If a parent wishes to enroll a child that will not be 5 years old on or before August 1, the attached policy and assessment request form should be consulted
The Board of Education acknowledges that some students seek to pursue educational goals that include graduation from high school at an earlier date than their designated class. A student who completes the requirements for early high school graduation may participate in the graduation ceremonies with his/her designated class or the class graduating in the year in which s/he completes the District's requirements for high school graduation. Please consult the Early Graduation Documents for a complete description of procedures.
RTF Version
Academic acceleration may involve whole-grade acceleration or individual subject acceleration. Academic acceleration occurs when a student is not only doing the caliber of work necessary to be promoted to the next grade or enrolled in the next course in the academic sequence, but also demonstrates the ability to do the caliber of work required of students in that next grade level/subject/course.
The Credit Flexibility plan acknowledges that Ohio’s competiveness in the 21st century’s global economy requires that opportunities for innovation be enhanced, that our systems of learning become more flexible and more adaptive to the environments that surround them, and that our capacity and will to support student learning be expanded.
Early Admittance to Kindergarten
It is WCS Board of Education Policy that students that are 5 years old on or before August 1, are eligible for Kindergarten. If a parent wishes to enroll a child that will not be 5 years old on or before August 1, the attached policy and assessment request form should be consulted
The Board of Education acknowledges that some students seek to pursue educational goals that include graduation from high school at an earlier date than their designated class. A student who completes the requirements for early high school graduation may participate in the graduation ceremonies with his/her designated class or the class graduating in the year in which s/he completes the District's requirements for high school graduation. Please consult the Early Graduation Documents for a complete description of procedures.