Chapter 3324 | Gifted Students

Section 3324.01 | Gifted student definitions.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

As used in this section and sections 3324.02 through 3324.06 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Approved" means approved by the department of education and workforce and included on the list compiled by the department under section 3324.02 of the Revised Code.

(B) "Gifted" means students who perform or show potential for performing at remarkably high levels of accomplishment when compared to others of their age, experience, or environment and who are identified under division (A), (B), (C), or (D) of section 3324.03 of the Revised Code.

(C) "School district" does not include a joint vocational school district.

(D) "Specific academic ability field" means one or more of the following areas of instruction:

(1) Mathematics;

(2) Science;

(3) Reading, writing, or a combination of these skills;

(4) Social studies.

Last updated August 25, 2023 at 11:43 AM

Section 3324.02 | Assessment instruments for screening and identifying gifted students.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) The department of education and workforce shall construct lists of existing assessment instruments it approves for use by school districts, and may include on the lists and make available to school districts additional assessment instruments developed by the department. Wherever possible, the department shall approve assessment instruments that utilize nationally recognized standards for scoring or are nationally normed. The lists of instruments shall include:

(1) Initial screening instruments for use in selecting potentially gifted students for further assessment;

(2) Instruments for identifying gifted students under section 3324.03 of the Revised Code.

(B) The department, under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, shall also adopt rules for the administration of any tests or assessment instruments it approves on the list required by division (A) of this section and for establishing the scores or performance levels required under section 3324.03 of the Revised Code.

(C) The department shall ensure that the approved list of assessment instruments under this section includes instruments that allow for appropriate screening and identification of gifted minority and disadvantaged students, children with disabilities, and students for whom English is a second language.

(D) Districts shall select screening and identification instruments from the approved lists for inclusion in their district policies.

(E) The department shall make initial lists of approved assessment instruments and the rules for the administration of the instruments available by September 1, 1999.

Last updated August 25, 2023 at 11:44 AM

Section 3324.03 | School districts to identify gifted students.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

The board of education of each school district shall identify gifted students in grades kindergarten through twelve as follows:

(A) A student shall be identified as exhibiting "superior cognitive ability" if the student did either of the following within the preceding twenty-four months:

(1) Scored two standard deviations above the mean, minus the standard error of measurement, on an approved individual standardized intelligence test administered by a licensed school psychologist or licensed psychologist;

(2) Accomplished any one of the following:

(a) Scored at least two standard deviations above the mean, minus the standard error of measurement, on an approved standardized group intelligence test;

(b) Performed at or above the ninety-fifth percentile on an approved individual or group standardized basic or composite battery of a nationally normed achievement test;

(c) Attained an approved score on one or more above-grade level standardized, nationally normed approved tests.

(B) A student shall be identified as exhibiting "specific academic ability" superior to that of children of similar age in a specific academic ability field if within the preceding twenty-four months the student performs at or above the ninety-fifth percentile at the national level on an approved individual or group standardized achievement test of specific academic ability in that field. A student may be identified as gifted in more than one specific academic ability field.

(C) A student shall be identified as exhibiting "creative thinking ability" superior to children of a similar age, if within the previous twenty-four months, the student scored one standard deviation above the mean, minus the standard error of measurement, on an approved individual or group intelligence test and also did either of the following:

(1) Attained a sufficient score, as established by the department of education and workforce, on an approved individual or group test of creative ability;

(2) Exhibited sufficient performance, as established by the department, on an approved checklist of creative behaviors.

(D) A student shall be identified as exhibiting "visual or performing arts ability" superior to that of children of similar age if the student has done both of the following:

(1) Demonstrated through a display of work, an audition, or other performance or exhibition, superior ability in a visual or performing arts area;

(2) Exhibited sufficient performance, as established by the department, on an approved checklist of behaviors related to a specific arts area.

Last updated August 25, 2023 at 11:45 AM

Section 3324.04 | Adoption of district plan for identifying gifted students.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

The board of education of each school district shall adopt a plan by January 1, 2000, for identifying gifted students. The plan shall be submitted to the department of education and workforce for approval. The department shall approve the plan within sixty days if it contains all of the following:

(A) A description of the assessment instruments from the list adopted by the department that the district will use to screen and identify gifted students;

(B) Acceptable scheduling procedures for screening and for administering assessment instruments for identifying gifted students. These procedures shall provide:

(1) At least two opportunities a year for assessment in the case of students requesting assessment or recommended for assessment by teachers, parents, or other students;

(2) Assurance of inclusion in screening and assessment procedures for minority and disadvantaged students, children with disabilities, and students for whom English is a second language;

(3) Assurance that any student transferring into the district will be assessed within ninety days of the transfer at the request of a parent.

(C) Procedures for notification of parents within thirty days about the results of any screening procedure or assessment instrument and the provision of an opportunity for parents to appeal any decision about the results of any screening procedure or assessment, the scheduling of children for assessment, or the placement of a student in any program or for receipt of services;

(D) A commitment that the district will accept scores on assessment instruments provided by other school districts or trained personnel outside the school district, provided the assessment instruments are on the list approved by the department under section 3324.02 of the Revised Code.

The district's plan may provide for the district to contract with any qualified public or private service provider to provide screening or assessment services under the plan.

The department shall assist any district whose plan it disapproves under this section to amend the plan so that it meets the requirements of this section.

Last updated August 25, 2023 at 11:47 AM

Section 3324.05 | Annual gifted student screening and services reports.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) Each school district shall submit an annual report to the department of education and workforce specifying the number of students in each of grades kindergarten through twelve screened, the number assessed, and the number identified as gifted in each category specified in section 3324.03 of the Revised Code. The report shall also specify the number of students served in each category specified in section 3324.03 of the Revised Code.

(B) Not later than the thirty-first day of October annually, the department shall publish both of the following using data submitted by school districts under the education management information system established under section 3301.0714 of the Revised Code:

(1) Services offered by each school district to students identified as gifted in each of the following grade bands:

(a) Kindergarten through second grade;

(b) Third through sixth grade;

(c) Seventh through eighth grade;

(d) Ninth through twelfth grade.

(2) The number of licensed gifted intervention specialists and coordinators employed or contracted by each school district.

(C) The department shall audit each school district's identification numbers at least once every three years and may select any district at random or upon complaint or suspicion of noncompliance for a further audit to determine compliance with sections 3324.03 to 3324.06 of the Revised Code. In each year the department audits a school district under this section, the department shall also audit the district's service numbers.

(D) The department shall provide technical assistance to any district found in noncompliance under division (C) of this section. For fiscal years 2022 and 2023, the department shall reduce funds received by the district under Chapter 3317. of the Revised Code by any amount if the district continues to be noncompliant. For fiscal year 2024 and each fiscal year thereafter, the department may reduce funds received by the district under Chapter 3317. of the Revised Code by any amount if the district continues to be noncompliant.

Last updated September 7, 2023 at 8:55 AM

Section 3324.06 | Adoption and distribution district policy statement.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

The board of education of each school district shall adopt a statement of its policy for the screening and identification of gifted students and shall distribute the policy statement to parents. The policy statement shall specify:

(A) The criteria and methods the district uses to screen students and to select students for further assessment who perform or show potential for performing at remarkably high levels of accomplishment in one of the gifted areas specified in section 3324.03 of the Revised Code;

(B) The sources of assessment data the district uses to select students for further testing and an explanation for parents of the multiple assessment instruments required to identify gifted students under section 3324.03 of the Revised Code;

(C) An explanation for parents of the methods the district uses to ensure equal access to screening and further assessment by all district students, including minority or disadvantaged students, children with disabilities, and students for whom English is a second language;

(D) Provisions to ensure equal opportunity for all district students identified as gifted to receive any services offered by the district;

(E) Provisions for students to withdraw from gifted programs or services, for reassessment of students, and for assessment of students transferring into the district;

(F) Methods for resolving disagreements between parents and the district concerning identification and placement decisions.

A copy of the district's policy adopted under this section shall accompany the district's plan submitted to the department of education and workforce under section 3324.04 of the Revised Code.

Last updated September 7, 2023 at 8:59 AM

Section 3324.07 | District plan for service of gifted students.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) The board of education of each school district shall develop a plan for the service of gifted students enrolled in the district that are identified under section 3324.03 of the Revised Code. Services specified in the plan developed by each board may include such options as the following:

(1) A differentiated curriculum;

(2) Cluster grouping;

(3) Mentorships;

(4) Accelerated course work;

(5) The college credit plus program under Chapter 3365. of the Revised Code;

(6) Advanced placement;

(7) Honors classes;

(8) Magnet schools;

(9) Self-contained classrooms;

(10) Independent study;

(11) International baccalaureate;

(12) Other options identified in rules adopted by the department of education and workforce.

(B) Each board shall file the plan developed under division (A) of this section with the department of education and workforce. The department shall review and analyze each plan to determine if it is adequate and to make funding estimates.

(C) Unless otherwise required by law, rule, or as a condition for receipt of funds, school boards may implement the plans developed under division (A) of this section, but shall not be required to do so until further action by the general assembly or the director of education and workforce.

Last updated September 7, 2023 at 9:01 AM

Section 3324.08 | District gifted education coordinator.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

Any person employed by a school district and assigned to a school as a principal or any other position may also serve as the district's gifted education coordinator, if qualified to do so pursuant to the rules adopted by the department of education and workforce under this chapter.

Last updated September 7, 2023 at 9:02 AM

Section 3324.09 | Publication of expenditures.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

Not later than the thirtieth day of October annually, the department of education and workforce shall publish on its web site the funds received for the previous fiscal year by each school district under division (A)(6) of section 3317.022 of the Revised Code for the identification of and services provided to the district's gifted students and each district's expenditures of those funds.

Last updated September 7, 2023 at 9:04 AM

Section 3324.10 | Model student acceleration policy.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) The department of education and workforce shall adopt a model student acceleration policy addressing recommendations in the former department of education's 2005 study conducted under the gifted research and demonstration grant program. The policy shall address, but not be limited to, whole grade acceleration, subject area acceleration, and early high school graduation.

(B) The board of education of each city, local, and exempted village school district shall implement a student acceleration policy to take effect beginning in the 2006-2007 school year. The policy shall either be the model adopted by the department under division (A) of this section or a policy covering similar issues that is adopted by the district board. If the district board does not adopt the department's model, it shall submit its policy to the department for review and approval. The department, upon request, shall provide technical assistance to the district board in developing the policy.

Last updated September 7, 2023 at 9:06 AM

Section 3324.11 | Rules regarding reports of services to gift students.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

No rule adopted by the director of education and workforce pursuant to this chapter, section 3301.07 of the Revised Code, or any other provision of the Revised Code shall permit a school district to report that it has provided services to a student identified as gifted unless those services are paid for by the district. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a district from requiring a student to pay the costs of advanced placement or international baccalaureate examinations.

Last updated September 7, 2023 at 9:07 AM