The mission of the ELCO School District’s Gifted Education Program is to provide all identified students with learning opportunities, individually and with like-minded peers, to guide them in understanding who they are as gifted learners.  Each student’s educational team will support strength-based academic growth at the appropriate level, provide opportunities to explore passions and interests in both academic and real-life scenarios, and teach flexible problem solving, self-advocacy, and leadership skills.

The Gifted Education Program is state-mandated, as directed by PA Chapter 16, for students who qualify for gifted services through a comprehensive evaluation process. In Pennsylvania, "mentally gifted" is defined 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. The term " mentally gifted" includes a person who has an IQ of 130 or higher or a person who meets multiple criteria indicating gifted ability.

A gifted universal screening is administered to all second grade students in the Fall/Early Winter. Those who meet an established threshold move to the next phase of screening and are ultimately recommended for a full evaluation based on screening results and input from teachers and parents. Students in any grade may be referred for a gifted screening by parents/guardians, classroom teachers, or other school personnel. 

Parents/guardians of students recommended for a full evaluation are provided a "Permission to Evaluate" and asked to complete parent input forms. After receiving the signed parent/guardian permission, a school psychologist administers individual cognitive and achievement assessments to the student. Classroom teacher(s) and parents/guardians provide feedback via a checklist (Scales for Identifying Gifted Students). All information is collected within 60 days after the District receives the signed permission.

A multidisciplinary team, including school representatives and the parents/guardians, meet to review and discuss the data collected. If the criteria for giftedness are met, a "Gifted Individualized Education Program (GIEP)" is developed to meet that student's individual needs. Modifications, as needed, are made within the regular classrooms to challenge students in the areas of their academic strengths. In addition, enrichment activities are offered outside the regular classroom, encouraging critical and creative thinking and providing opportunities to expand student skills and areas of interest. Course and grade acceleration may also be provided as determined to be needed for individual students.

Requests for gifted evaluations can be made at any time during the school year, but only one referral per child per calendar year is permitted. Any questions about the screening and identification process should be directed to Amy J. Shoemaker, Director of Pupil Services at 717-866-7117, ext 10821 or ashoemaker@elcosd.org