Gifted Services

Ohio school districts are required to identify students as gifted but are not required to provide gifted services.  While our teachers and building level teams frequently meet to plan for students who need enrichment or other support, their efforts are not recognized by the Ohio Department of Education as official gifted services unless a certain set of criteria is met. To be recognized as officially providing gifted services in Ohio, teachers must receive 15 hours of training for four consecutive years in addition to other requirements for documentation as well as time planning with a licensed gifted professional.  Yellow Springs Schools recently started the transition from identification-only to the development of gifted programming as specified by the Ohio Department of Education.  To be recognized as officially providing gifted services by the State of Ohio, teachers must receive 15 hours of training for four consecutive years in addition to other requirements for documentation and working with a licensed gifted professional.  During the 2021-22 school year, YS Schools initiated a small pilot program in select elementary grades and the YSHS/MMS math courses.  We plan to expand our gifted program at the elementary level first and then to the upper grades as this program rolls out over the next few years.   

GIFTED IDENTIFICATION

Whole Grade Screening Grades 2 & 5

All students in second and fifth grade are administered assessments in the areas of academic achievement, cognitive ability, and creative thinking to determine identification as gifted or the need for further assessment.   

Referrals for Gifted Identification

Students may be referred for a gifted evaluation by a parent/guardian or staff member by completing the gifted referral and permission form which can be obtained from your child's school main office.

Please note that referrals for gifted evaluations between April 15 and August 15 will take place after the first day of the school year.