Gifted Education
Gifted Education Services – Oil City Area School District
At the Oil City Area School District, we recognize that many students demonstrate exceptional potential when compared to peers of the same age, experience, or environment. These students often benefit from differentiated instruction that supports both their academic abilities and the unique social and emotional characteristics common among gifted learners.
Identifying Gifted Learners
Oil City Area School District is committed to using a comprehensive and systematic approach to identify students who may be eligible for gifted education services. Our process is designed to ensure that no student with high potential is overlooked.
We conduct a formal, district-wide screening during the second-grade and fifth grade year using the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT). This assessment evaluates verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal reasoning abilities to help identify students who may require gifted programming.
In addition to formal assessments, building-level administrators and educators continuously monitor student performance. If a student consistently demonstrates learning characteristics or achievement levels that significantly exceed expectations, the team may initiate a Child Study Process to further evaluate the student’s needs. A student may be referred for a complete comprehensive evaluation, conducted by the school psychologist, through teacher or parent/guardian referral at any time.
Gifted Evaluation and Eligibility
In the Oil City Area School District (OCASD), the process for identifying potentially mentally gifted students involves a comprehensive evaluation procedure adhering to both Chapter 16 regulations and the guidelines established by the OCASD. When a student is referred for gifted evaluation, Oil City Area School District follows the state guidelines outlined in Chapter 16 of the Pennsylvania School Code. The evaluation process includes a review of multiple data sources to determine if a student qualifies as gifted and in need of specially designed instruction.
Sources of information may include:
- Cognitive and achievement test scores
- Academic performance and classroom observations
- Input from parents, educators, and specialists
- Medical or developmental history, if relevant
Mentally giftedness, as defined in the Pennsylvania Gifted Education Guidelines (2014), requires outstanding intellectual and creative ability necessitating specially designed programs or support services. Eligibility criteria, as per Chapter 16 regulations, encompass various factors including IQ scores of 130 or higher, standardized achievement test scores indicating advanced performance, consideration of screening measures, documented evidence of higher-level thinking skills, and educational needs.
In recognizing the complexity of intellectual giftedness, our district acknowledges that IQ alone cannot serve as the sole determining factor for identifying gifted students. Therefore, in instances where a student's IQ falls below the threshold of 130, we utilize the General Ability Index (GAI) as an alternative measure to capture a more comprehensive understanding of the student's cognitive abilities. Additionally, our evaluation process incorporates a gifted matrix that considers multiple factors beyond IQ, including standardized achievement test scores, academic performance, learning strengths, educational needs, and evidence of higher-level thinking skills for scores that fall between 125-130. By adopting a holistic approach to assessment, we strive to ensure that all aspects of a student's intellectual potential and giftedness are carefully considered, facilitating a more accurate and inclusive determination of eligibility for gifted education services. Oil City Area School District Gifted Matrix.
The evaluation process not only considers a student's cognitive ability and achievement data, but also determines whether the student requires specially designed instruction, such as enrichment or acceleration, in order to benefit from their education—this is a key requirement for eligibility under Chapter 16 of the Pennsylvania Code.
Our goal is to ensure that all students have access to the educational opportunities they need to reach their full potential. If you have questions about our gifted services or the referral process, please contact Dr. Tracy Delmonaco, Director of Student Services.