NEWS FROM THE GIFTED & TALENTED DIVISION

This month, the Gifted & Talented Division begins the work of the  2022 Gifted Task Force.This Task Force has a variety of stakeholders -- teachers, administrators, parents, students, and internationally respected experts in gifted education -- who have agreed to join us in this important work. They represent every region of Columbus City Schools and will bring a myriad of perspectives to this experience. 

The goals of the 2022 Gifted Task Force: 

1. To understand the current state of gifted education in Columbus City Schools, in the state of Ohio, and nationally.

2. To develop a strategic plan for gifted education that is aligned to current district initiatives, including the newly adopted District Strategic Plan, Board Goals and Guardrails.This gifted specific plan will create a forward-thinking, innovative, and systemic “future state” for internal and external stakeholders.

3.  To articulate an implementation plan that will include next steps, a timeline, and benchmarks for evaluation.

Check this page for meeting minutes from each Gifted Task Force meeting.

All parents and teachers of gifted students will receive a survey in the month of April to gather feedback about Columbus City Schools' gifted services that will further inform this work..

March 3rd Meeting Minutes GTF

March 3rd Kick-off Slides GTF 

March 17th Meeting Minutes GTF

March 17 Meeting #2 Slides GTF

March 31st Meeting Minutes GTF

March 31st Meeting #3 Slides GTF

April 28th Meeting #4 Slides_GTF

April 28th Meeting Minutes GTF

Student Student Survey Results w/Comments

Please click the link below to refer your student for gifted identification. 

* Check back here in August for the referral link.   

TESTING SCHEDULE 2021-2022: Gifted Identification, Visual & Performing Arts, and Acceleration

Academic Gifted Identification Information

Students are identified as Gifted and Talented through the use of state-approved assessments. As outlined in House Bill 282, Ohio Revised Code 3301-51-15, the state of Ohio mandates that school districts identify students in four areas: superior cognitive ability, specific academic ability, creative thinking ability, and the visual and performing arts. Any student in Grades K-12 may be referred for testing in superior cognitive, specific academic, or creative thinking abilities for up to two opportunities per year for testing (including whole grade screenings).

Note: Due to test publishing constraints, the kindergarten testing window will begin December 1, 2021. Please do not submit kindergarten referrals until after November 15, 2021.

Note: Since students have multiple assessment opportunities in reading and math in grades 2-5, additional alternative testing is not available.  

There are two opportunities each year to request alternative testing for gifted identification. Deadlines for submitting referrals are outlined below. Registration begins September 7, 2021 for grades 1-12.

Fall/Winter

Referral Deadline:  October 29, 2021 (grades 1-12)

Referral Deadline:  December 17, 2021 (kindergarten)

Testing Window:    September 7, 2021 - January 31, 2022 (extended for kindergarten)

Winter/Spring

Referral Deadline:  February 28, 2022

Testing Window:    February 7, 2022 - May 6, 2022 

Visual and Performing Arts Gifted Identification Information

Columbus City Schools follows the State of Ohio mandate for gifted identification in the visual and performing arts in five areas:  visual art, vocal music, instrumental music, dance, drama/theater. 

Phase One of the fall 2021 gifted identification process involves referring talented students to be screened in the arts by September 24, 2021.  Any referrals received after this deadline will be added to the list for the Winter/Spring 2022 arts gifted screening process.  The screening windows are as follows:

Fall/Winter 2021

Referral deadline:  September 24, 2021

Assessment window:  September 27 - November 13, 2021

Winter/Spring 2021-22

Referral Window:  November 15, 2021 - January 21, 2022**

Assessment Window:  January 24 - March 12, 2022

**Referrals received after this date will not be eligible for assessment this school year.**

Please click the link below to refer your student for visual and performing arts assessment. 

*Check back in the fall for the referral link. 

Acceleration is a special service for exceptional students. Schools utilize this practice when a child's academic needs are too advanced to be met in the regular classroom or other available programs. This option is usually sought for just a few students each year, as other school curriculum and services are typically sufficient for meeting the needs of most students.

Acceleration testing includes a cognitive assessment and subject tests two grade levels above the child’s current grade level. This should only be recommended if students are significantly advanced and acceleration is a serious consideration.

According to the Columbus Board of Education Acceleration Policy, adopted on 9-5-06, the referred student’s principal shall convene an evaluation committee to determine the most appropriate and available learning environment for the referred student.

The parent permission for assessment form must be signed and returned to the Gifted & Talented office at least 60 days before the start of the term the potential acceleration might begin.

Second Semester Acceleration

Referral Deadline:  November 16, 2021

Assessment Window: November 17, 2021 - December 17, 2021 

First Semester Acceleration for 2022-2023

Referral Deadline:  March 1, 2022

Assessment Window: March 2, 2022 - May 20, 2022

Please click the link below to start the acceleration referral process.  

*Check back in the fall for the referral link.