Gifted Services at Liberty K-5

Every Tuesday, a group of Liberty students take a bus to Pittsburgh Gifted Center (a.k.a. Greenway), a school campus in the West End, to participate in what's known as Gifted and Talented Education Services. Per their website, the overall aim is to provide educational opportunities and experiences to help high-achieving students extend their learning, develop individual potential, enhance their self-concept, and become life-long, independent learners. “PPS is committed to providing differentiated activities and opportunities,” the site states, "through which students can discover and develop their unique and individual needs, interests, talents and abilities.” In addition to the instruction students receive at Greenway, students also receive gifted services at Liberty through differentiation in their classes.

What is “gifted?” In this context, it means higher-than-average IQ. If average is within the of 85 to 110 range, gifted is 115, 120, 130, and so on. (For perspective: Einstein was 147!)

Some signs that your child may be gifted: The child is a quick study and absorbs new knowledge fast. The child just somehow knows things, and you wonder, “When did she learn that?” The child might be bored at school.There are misconceptions surrounding IQ: It’s important to keep in mind that itis​ absolutely possible to have a learning disability and a higher-than-average IQ. And sometimes, the reason a child is misbehaving is because she or he is bored—and truly could benefit from the gifted program.

• Barb Bradley, a Gifted Center faculty member, suggests: ​First, talk to your child's teacher regarding the student's progress through the lens of gifted education​. “Most conversations are around progress in the regular curriculum,” she says. “When considering testing you would ask questions more around what types of differentiation have been needed for your child. Is your child going beyond what is expected on assignments regularly? Has the teacher needed to enrich the assignments to meet the child’s needs? How often is this needed? Does the child have a strong desire to find out additional information on a topic being studied and bring that information back to their peers?”If you decide to have your child tested, contact Liberty’s social worker, Ms. Elisa Portillo (eportillowein1@pghschools.org), to request a form.​ ​​It will be provided within 10 days—the child will then be scheduled within 60 days of submission of your completed form. (The 60-day clock may be paused during the summer.)
  
• There’s good reason to ​not​ tell your child what the test is for​; it can lead to a lot of anxiety, stress, and potential heartache.
  
• It is possible to have students tested as early as kindergarten; however, the district strongly discourages this, for several reasons:​ PPS students do not start ​going​ to Greenway until 1st grade. Additionally, waiting gives the children time to settle into school, and also allows their teachers to get to know them and make the best recommendations possible to the gifted center. And in the meantime, the faculty will accommodate the children, enriching their learning onsite as needed—talk to your child’s teacher if you have questions. 

• If a student has an IQ of 130, they are automatically admitted into gifted services. 

• If the child is within the range of 120-129 (or maybe 115), the gifted team will do a review. When there is a need for additional information, they will ask the school social worker to request a portfolio of the student’s work. Then the Gifted Center makes the determination. In those situations, it is very helpful for our school social worker to sit down with parents and discuss the big picture for the child, because the department is aware that there are many things that can affect IQ testing score: any history of trauma, poverty, grief, loss, feeling unsafe in their neighborhood, etc. It’s important to share any factors that should be taken into consideration; this information will be kept confidential.

If a child is not admitted to gifted services, it is by all means not the end of the world! The reason the service is run by the Department of Special Education is because it’s an exceptionality. These kids need more services (they do have IEP plans). 

In recent years, media outlets and education advocates have raised important questions and dialogue about racial bias in gifted services:

• “Who gets to be considered ‘gifted’ in Pittsburgh schools? Too few black girls.” PublicSource​, March 16, 2017: https://blackgirlspgh.publicsource.org/education/gets-considered-gifted-pittsburgh-schools-black-girls 

• “If everyone got screened, gifted education in Pittsburgh could be more equitable. School officials aren’t sold.” PublicSource​, March 17, 2017: https://blackgirlspgh.publicsource.org/education/universal-screenings-can-increase-equity-gifted-education-work-pittsburgh

• "Keys to Expand Access to the Gifted Program in the Pittsburgh Public School District" An issue brief by A+ Schools that examines identification processes used by PPS and nearby districts; compares the demographic profile of the district compared to those students identified as gifted; and highlights steps that other districts have taken to be more inclusive, as well as ways to expand enhanced learning opportunities to all students.  

Visit the Pittsburgh Public Schools gifted services website: https://www.pghschools.org/gifted