Parents and teachers can request that a student be evaluated at any time to determine his/her eligibility for gifted services by contacting their school counselor. The school counselor can provide information regarding gifted education. The Pennsylvania Department of Education Chapter 16 regulations define “mentally gifted” as:

“Outstanding intellectual and creative ability the development of which requires specially designed programs or support services, or both, not ordinarily provided in the regular education program.”

A student that is identified as gifted must demonstrate the need for specially designed instruction above and beyond the general education curriculum.  Once identified as having a need, the Gifted Multi-disciplinary Team will meet to develop a plan to enrich or accelerate the student's instructional program outlined in a Gifted Individualized Education Program (GIEP).