Ridgeview Teacher honored at OSU - Pickerington Local School ...

IdentifyingOur GiftedState of Ohio has mandated processfor identifying gifted studentsBy Sandy Meigel5November 2008 | The School Bell | www.pickerington.k12.oh.usMy child is gifted. Millions of teachers across the nation hearthis statement annually. While every child in the PickeringtonLocal School District is considered special, the State of Ohiohas mandated that school districts identify academically-giftedstudents using a standardized set of criteria.Ohio House Bill 282 defines what is considered “gifted” inOhio. The term “gifted” is assigned to a student who performsor shows potential for performing at remarkably high levels ofaccomplishment when compared to others of his or her age,experience, or environment.There are four areas of identification: Superior Cognitive,Specific Academic, Creative Thinking, and Visual and/orPerforming Arts. Although the state mandates identification,it does not provide additional funding for such targetedprograms.The Pickerington Local School District offers a variety ofprograms for students with high academic abilities.Superior Cognitive AbilityA student is identified as exhibiting “superior cognitive ability”if the student did either of the following within the preceding24 months:• Scored two standard deviations above the mean, minusthe standard error of measurement, on an approvedindividual or group intelligence test.• Performed at or above the 95th percentile on anindividual or group standardized basic or composite batteryon a nationally-normed achievement test.• Attained an approved score on one or more above gradelevelstandardized, nationally-normed approved tests.Specific Academic AbilityA student is identified as exhibiting “specific academic ability”superior to children of similar age in a specific academic abilityfield if within the preceding 24 months:• The student performs at or above the 95th percentileat the national level on an approved individual or groupstandardized achievement test.Creative Thinking AbilityA student is identified as exhibiting “creative thinking ability”superior to children of similar age if within the previous 24months:• The student scored one standard deviation above themean, minus the standard error of measurement, on anindividual or group intelligence test and also did either ofthe following:• Attained a sufficient score, as established by theDepartment of Education, on an approved individual orgroup test of creative ability; or• Exhibited sufficient performance, as established by theDepartment of Education, on an approved checklist.Visual and Performing ArtsA student is identified as exhibiting “visual or performing artsability” superior to that of children of similar age if the studenthas done both of the following:• Demonstrated through a display of work, an audition,or other performances or exhibitions, superior ability in avisual or performing arts area; and• Exhibited sufficient performance on an approvedchecklist of behaviors related to a specific arts area.Preparing from pg. 2 foundation from pg. 3for continued renovation andfacility improvements. There willhave to be voter action – extendingthe presently existing ClassroomFacilities Maintenance Levy fromits current 13 years to 23 years. The“no new tax” facilities issue wouldguarantee the additional statefunding for renovations at Fairfield,Pickerington and Violet elementaryschools, Ridgeview Junior High, andPickerington High School Central.Finally, I am so proud of theprogress the District has made ineconomizing on every front. It fallsto each of us to tighten the beltwhile focusing on placing everypossible dollar into classroominstruction. I am reminded dailythat our District’s financial teamcares intensely about providinga quality education, even as itmonitors spending at every level.Providing superior service at anaffordable cost is the foundation ofpublic education in Pickerington,where our focus is on education,efficiency and accountability.As always, I am so grateful to you,the supportive residents of ourcommunity, whose sacrifice for andinvestment in quality education ispaying such great dividends. The“Excellent with Distinction” ratingis not just deserved for our teachers,parents, and young learners, it’san affirmation that our entirecommunity – including those whodo not have children presently inthe schools – values education.Without your support, we wouldnever have the resources to excel.A day does not go by without beingreminded that District residentscare intensely about their schoolsand the future of our children.My best wishes to you and yourfamily for a safe and meaningfulholiday season.awarded to Megan Moriarty. Threeadditional scholarships will begiven each of the next three years.The Pickerington EducationFoundation remains committed toall the students of the PickeringtonLocal School District. Funding forthe PEF comes from a variety ofsources. Nearly 50 percent of thePEF’s donations are received fromindividuals, staff, alumni, parents,and other community members.Approximately 30 percent hascome from businesses andorganizations in our community.The foundation continues to growand make strides in supportingexcellence in education, with plansto award more than $2,200 toprograms in our schools this fiscalyear. The foundation gratefullyaccepts contributions to its annualfund and endowment.Bequests and memorial gifts arealso welcome and donors have theoption of establishing a specialfund within the Foundation. Allgifts are tax-deductible. For moreinformation on how to volunteer, orto make a charitable contribution,visit www.pefoundation.org orcontact Kathy Kelly-Long, 614-833-2603, wlong1@insight.rr.com.