It's common for districts to identify a student as being 'gifted' on the basis that they achieved an IQ score above
a certain threshold, typically 130. The thinking goes that, since the student's IQ score meets the eligibility criteria
for gifted, there is no further need for additional gifted-specific testing.
Pennsylvania's Gifted Ed regulations, Chapter
16, requires that the testing for giftedness be thorough and that the educational plan be individualized. A standard gifted
evaluation (e.g. IQ and Achievement testing) may not be enough to provide that information to the GIEP team. There may
be a need to do additional gifted-specific testing to gather enough information about the student's abilities and achievements
to
For example, the Gifted IEP team should know the educational levels (as grade levels) across all subjects, that may require
specific testing. The phrase 'above grade level' should be quantified to reflect a specific grade. Also, the IQ and Achievement
testing may show discrepancies within subtest scores, and additional testing is needed to rule out possible learning disability
involvements.
If you believe that the initial testing was not sufficient for the GIEP team to create a plan, if you
think that the Gifted IEP team needs more information to create an apppropriate GIEP, then you must ask the GIEP Team, and possibly
insist, that additional gifted testing be done.
If you have your district is non-responsive
to your concerns please call me to
discuss your situation. My number is (484) 831-5394.
