Sheffield City Schools
Gifted Education Program

Intellectually gifted children and youth are those who perform at or have demonstrated the potential to perform at high levels in academic or creative fields when compared with others of their age, experience, or environment.  These children and youth require services not ordinarily provided by the regular school program.  Children and youth possessing these abilities can be found in all populations, across all economic strata, and in all areas of human endeavor. Gifted students may be found within any race, ethnicity, gender, economic class, or nationality.  In addition, some students with disabilities may be gifted. 

A student may be referred for consideration for gifted services by teachers, counselors, administrators, parents or guardians, peers, self or any other individuals with knowledge of the student's abilities. Additionally, all second grade students will be observed as potential gifted referrals using a gifted behavior checklist.

For each student referred, information is gathered in the following three areas:

Aptitude - Aptitude should be assessed through an individual or group test of intelligence or creativity.

Characteristics - A behavior rating scale designed to assess gifted behaviors is completed by a classroom teacher.

Performance - At least three indicators of performance at a gifted level must be submitted. These may include but are not limited to, achievement test scores, grades, products, work samples and/or portfolios.

The scores from the assessments/items are entered on matrix where points are assigned according to established criteria. The total number of points earned determines if the students qualified for gifted services. To make a referral call the Special Education Coordinator at 383-0400.