Gifted Screenings for Third Grade OFF-Campus Students

October 6, 2020

Families of OFF-Campus Third Grade Students — As part of determining the academic needs of each child, students at all grade levels complete screening tests in the areas of reading, math, and writing. This information is used to make instructional decisions about individual student needs.

Students in the third grade and students new-to-PK in fourth grade are screened by the P.K. Yonge School Psychology Team to determine potential eligibility for gifted enrichment services. This screening process includes a review of individual achievement data in reading and math, the administration of a brief individual screening measure of cognitive skills, and input from classroom teachers.

This year gifted screenings will occur in early November. For OFF-CAMPUS students, gifted screenings will take place on campus in person.

For families who wish to have their student participate in a gifted screening in November,
please sign up for an appointment here: Screening Appointment Signup.

For families who do not sign up for a screening appointment,
gifted screenings will take place once we return to on-campus instruction.
Not signing up will be interpreted as a desire to defer the screening.

 

Gifted screenings will be scheduled at specific times and health and safety protocols will  be in place. Protocols include students being asked to respond to P.K. Yonge daily COVID-19 screening questions, the use of masks/facial coverings, maintaining physical distancing, plexiglass shields in place between screener and student, and screening locations will be wiped down after each screening.

On the day of the scheduled gifted screening, families will be given specific directions at the front gate. Vehicles enter the Front Circle and students remain in vehicles. When a screener approaches a vehicle, the student winds down the car window and responds to the P.K. Yonge daily COVID-19 screening questions. When directed by the screener, the student exits the vehicle and accompanies the screener to the screening location. Family members are directed to parking spaces and remain in their vehicles to wait for their student. After completing the screening, the student returns to the Front Circle and is picked up. The student and family member/s exit campus.

Once all screenings are complete, families will receive a letter noting whether the screening indicated that a student has met criteria or not met criteria to be referred for a gifted evaluation. The state-established gifted criteria are: significantly above average individual student scores in achievement, demonstrated need for an advanced program, and very high cognitive skills.

All students found to meet screening criteria are recommended for a comprehensive evaluation to determine whether they meet all eligibility requirements for gifted enrichment services based on Florida Department of Education guidelines and regulations.

Families of students who meet screening criteria will be contacted in order to obtain written consent to complete a comprehensive gifted evaluation.

If you have questions about this process, please contact Dr. Ashley Pennypacker Hill | ahill@pky.ufl.edu

 

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