According to the Pennsylvania Regulations and Standards in Special Education, mentally gifted pupils are defined as having:

“Outstanding intellectual and creative abilities the development of which requires special services not usually available in the regular education program. This term includes a person who has an IQ of 130 or higher and when multiple criteria as set forth in the Department of Education guidelines indicate gifted ability. Determination of gifted ability shall not be based on IQ score alone. Intellectual ability is and should reflect a range of assessments including a student’s performance as well as potential. A person with an IQ score lower than 130 may be admitted to gifted programs when other educational criteria in the profile of the person strongly indicate gifted ability. Determination of mentally gifted shall include a full assessment and comprehensive report by a public school psychologist specifying the nature and degree of the ability.”

South Fayette Township School District has established procedures whereby the principals, or their designees, will review student performance data. These procedures include, but are not limited to: standardized and criterion referenced test data, developmental checklists, anecdotal records, curriculum-based assessments, formative evaluation procedures and portfolios in order to assist in the early identification of any student who may require differentiated instruction. Teachers, parents and administrators form the team to discuss strengths of the child and strategies to meet the child’s needs (strengths). The team meets according to a timeline developed by the district to monitor and assess the development and progress of the student. If the team agrees that the child’s needs are not being addressed, a multidisciplinary evaluation will be initiated upon written permission from the parents. If appropriate, a Gifted Individualized Education Plan (GIEP) will be written.

In order to initiate the gifted screening process for your child, please contact the building-level guidance counselors.