Frequently Asked Questions
How can I find out if my child might be eligible for gifted in Florida?
Step one would be to assess your own child. There are numerous
resources that cite characteristics of a gifted child. Check some of the
links listed on the
Resources page. Talk to the child's teacher. Does the child read
above grade level, perform math problems far beyond the current grade
level, or exhibit understanding of content materials beyond most other
children in the same class?
Step two would be to be familiar with the procedures for
identification in Florida. The rule for determining eligibility for
gifted is on the Department of Education website and is the first rule
listed under Rules (identification).
A parent, teacher, or the student may nominate a child. As a parent
you may talk with the teacher, the guidance counselor, or with an
administrator at the school and let them know that you would like to
have your child considered. Most school districts will first conduct a
screening and the screening process differs from one district to
another. Some districts use a screening test, some assess samples of the
student's work, some look at test scores and some use multiple measures
- which may include all of these. The district might then ask the
teacher to complete a checklist to determine whether the student
evidences characteristics of a gifted learner. A group of professionals
- sometimes called a child study team - will look over the screening
information and other data about the child - any test scores available,
performance assessments, and input from the teacher. The team would then
determine whether or not to refer the child for an independent
evaluation - an IQ test to be conducted by a psychologist. If the child
is tested, the team would meet again to assess all of the information
about the child and determine whether the child evidences a need for
service. The entire process may take months.
- the student must evidence a need for service beyond the general curriculum;
- the student must have a majority of characteristics of gifted using a standard checklist; and
- the child must evidence intellectual development as evidenced by an intelligence quotient in the top two standard deviations above the man -- typically a 130 depending on the test used.
State rule requires three criteria for eligibility for gifted
service:
A parent may choose to have a child tested independently - at private
expense - although it is important to be aware that while the district
must consider the results they do not have to accept an outside
evaluation - particularly if they feel it does not correlate with other
data about the child.
In addition, some districts may have developed a Plan B - an
alternate plan for identifying students from populations typically
underrepresented in gifted. Not all districts have such a plan,
depending on their population.
The parent will be notified whether the child has - or has not - met
eligibility criteria.
Answer provided by Patricia Gatto-Walden, Ph.D., nationally recognized licensed psychologist.