Chuck Wiggins, (513) 695-2900, ext. 3066  
chuck.wiggins@warrencountyesc.com

Janese Griffin, (513) 695-2900, ext. 2913
janese.griffin@warrencountyesc.com

Mary Franzosa, (513) 695-2900, ext. 2725
mary.franzosa@warrencountyesc.com

Jessica Spradlin, (513) 695-2900, ext. 2904
jessica.spradlin@warrencountyesc.com

Identifying the Gifted Child - In 1984, the Ohio General Assembly passed legislation that required school districts to identify gifted children. In 1999, the identification law was updated and more guidelines were added to make the identification process more equal across the state. In 2007, the Ohio Department of Education did a review of the procedures for implementing the gifted law. As a result, new Operating Standards were developed and approved and became effective on July 1, 2008. These new Operating Standards set the guidelines for how to implement the Ohio law for gifted.

Ohio’s Definition of Gifted - “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 in one or more of the following areas according to Ohio’s identification criteria:

*Superior Cognitive Ability
*Specific Academic Ability (Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies)
*Creative Thinking Ability
*Visual or Performing Arts Ability

WCESC Gifted Services:

*Provide testing for placement in G/T services
*Assist districts in the process for subject and grade acceleration
*Provide E-mail and telephone consultations with districts
*Consult and provide resource materials to gifted intervention specialists
*Assist with decision-making and development of policy/guidelines for gifted
*Assist districts for compliance with accountability requirements for gifted
*Provide staff development
*Provide enrichment opportunities for students
*Administer EXPLORE Test for 5th and 6th grade students
*Communicate with parents, school personnel, and others about characteristics and educational needs of gifted students
*Provide link to county, region, and state gifted education network