If you have been told your child is "not gifted" because they did not have "enough points" read on. Many districts use a points-based
rubric, a tally rubric, to determine whether or not a student is 'gifted'. In these systems students are awarded
points in several district-determined categories, such as IQ, Grades, and Parent/Teacher recommendations. The district
then tallies the points. The recommendation regarding gifted status is based on the total number of points accorded the
student determines. There are several problems with this approach.
First, Pennsylvania's Gifted Ed Regulations are
not concerned with whether your child is eligible for the district gifted education program, they ask a different question.
The first question the regulations need answered is this: Is the unmodified regular education curriculum likely
to be appropriate for your child?
Secondly, the district does not make the decision about gifted identification. Districts
make recommendations, not decisions. As the parent, it's your decision whether to approve or disapprove the district's
recommendation.
If you believe your child's needs are not being met by their regular education planing, and you have been
told that your child was "not gifted" please call me at (484) 831-5394 to discuss your situation.
