If you believe your child is gifted (gifted in terms of not having their educational needs met through the regular curriculum), here
are some recommended steps for you to take:
1. Read the PDE's Parent's Guide to Special Education for Gifted (linked
below)
2. Explore the general issue of 'gifted' by reading those articles which interest you at Hoagies Gifted and
SENG (links to both sites are in the righthand column).
3. Make your decision on whether to have your child evaluated
for giftedness. Please look at the PowerPoint Presentation linked in the blue box to your lower right.
4. If you decide
'yes' for evaluation, submit a written request for to your district. You can request an evaluation for gifted in any grade,
kindergarten through 12th, once per year.
5. Parents can have input into the gifted evaluation process. Prepare
a 'parent's exhibit' which is a brief summary of information about your child you think might be of benefit
to the Gifted IEP Team.
6. Talk to parents of gifted students both in your child's grade and the grades ahead.
Get a sense of whether the district's gifted services are likely to meet your child's needs.
7. In the meantime,
talk with your child's teacher to see if they can do in-class differentiation while you're waiting for the results of the gifted
evaluation.
