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Gifted Education Awareness

Did you know?

Highlands School District provides Gifted Education Services to meet the unique academic and social-emotional needs of students who qualify as “mentally gifted” under Pennsylvania’s Chapter 16 regulations.

Who can request an evaluation?

Any parent/guardian, teacher, or school administrator may request that a student be evaluated to determine eligibility for gifted education services.

How does the process work?

  1. A Permission to Evaluate (PTE) form must be submitted.

    • Parents can request the form from their school counselor or any school administrator 

    • The district must provide the form within 10 days of a request.

  2. A Gifted Multidisciplinary Evaluation is conducted, which may include:

    • Cognitive testing

    • Achievement data

    • Teacher and parent input

    • Other relevant information

  3. If a student qualifies, a Gifted Individualized Education Plan (GIEP) is developed by a team that includes parents and teachers.

What services are available?

Gifted services may include:

  • Curriculum compacting

  • Enrichment opportunities

  • Acceleration in subject areas

  • Small-group instruction

  • Independent projects

  • Collaboration between general education and gifted support teachers

Parent Rights -Notice of Parental Rights of Gifted Students

Parents/guardians are entitled to:

  • Participate in all evaluations and GIEP meetings

  • Receive written notices and timelines

  • Access due process safeguards if disagreements occur

  • Review student records (confidentiality protected under FERPA)

Want to learn more?

Resources