Testing for Giftedness

 Some children will show advanced abilities from an early age such as independently learning to read, having intense interest in topics above their age level, demonstrating artistic creativity, displaying keen powers of observation and showing flexible approaches to problem solving. They may also complete schoolwork quickly and complain of being bored or unchallenged in school. These traits among others may be signs of high intellectual ability and a need for specialized instruction as a mentally gifted student. An intellectual assessment (IQ test) is the first step in making this determination.

Education law specifies that children identified as mentally gifted are eligible for services under PA. Chapter 16. These may be delivered as additional activities in the classroom or in a separate in-school program the student attends on a regular basis.