Free screening to reveal gifted students

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BROOKSVILLE — For parents who always thought their child was quite a bit above average, it's a good time to be in Hernando County.

On July 15 and 16, the school district will be offering a free screening for children whose parents believe they're qualified to attend the county's first gifted education center.

The Quest Academy for Gifted Education, slated to open in August at the new Explorer K-8 in Spring Hill, was projected to enroll around 383 eligible students in grades K-8.

Fewer than half that number had signed up at the beginning of June, with some families expressing frustration over the district's decision to move all gifted services to a single location.

But around 27 additional families have since signed up, and the number is growing with each passing week, said principal Dominick Ferello.

The free screening — along with an effort to contact the families of some 400 Hernando children who earned a perfect score on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test — is designed to further boost enrollment at the center and ensure that all who qualify have a chance to attend, he said.

"If the parent just has a gut feeling their kid is unique, they should call and make an appointment to do this," Ferello said.

There is a catch, though. Admission to the gifted center is restricted to students who meet the state's definition of "gifted."

Typically that means scoring at least two standard deviations above the mean score on an IQ test, and qualifying in at least one category on a state checklist. Students from low-income or minority groups can also qualify with a lower IQ score if they meet other criteria for giftedness.

Ferello said parents who aren't sure if their children meet that criteria should watch for signs of unusual talent, such as a sophisticated vocabulary, a deep interest in numbers, or any interests that are "far beyond the child's years."

Some of those signs are counter-intuitive, he added. Some gifted children are very social and like to be among older kids, while others are bookish or prefer computers to play dates.

One gifted child might be the type "who finishes work quickly, might be a perfectionist," Ferello said. "Or the opposite extreme, a kid who is bored, doesn't see the point."

Gifted or not, any parents who are interested in the free screening can take part, as long as their child has not been screened previously for giftedness, he said. The initial screening is by appointment only and takes around 45 minutes. Children who show signs of giftedness will receive additional testing.

To make an appointment, call Lisa LaBelle at the Exceptional Student Education office, (352) 797-7022.

Comments on this article

by Steve	Jul 9, 2008 10:41 AM
This is sad. "[M]inori[ties] can also qualify with a lower IQ score if they meet other criteria for giftedness." The Gifted program has always had too many non-Gifted people, now it'll have even more to dilute it. Great!

by Diane	Jul 7, 2008 6:11 PM
Sadly, many parents in Hernando failed to understand the value of a full time program. The recent study, High Achievers in an Era of NCLB, will change their mind and they will storm the school for admission. There is still time.

by Can't wait	Jul 5, 2008 11:10 PM
I can't wait to see this turn out. Everyone thinks their child is gifted in some way. This will be a circus.

by Parent	Jul 4, 2008 1:54 PM
Holy cow what next infomercials. "Do you think your childs gifted come to our free gifted screenings, act now and we throw in some free ginsu knives." Talk about being desperate Ferello. Mr A should of left it at Challenger. Good ol new boy network

by Fire Mr. A	Jul 4, 2008 1:53 PM
Why is the public putting up with this circus? Can't they see the waste of money when the parents and students (gifted) don't want it? They built it and no one came!!! So, throw good money after bad by paying people for this testing of anyone.

by Saddened	Jul 4, 2008 1:53 PM
Why don't we take out adds on billboards? Obviously we need bodies to fill that school. To heck with whether or not they have performed as a gifted student. Now anyone can come. Mr. A, you've made quite a mess here. Take your friends and go home.

by Parent	Jul 4, 2008 1:33 PM
Wow.... Hey everyone act now and you can get a free set of the amazing Ginsu Knives!!!! Calling all cars calling all cars please be on the look out for all Gifted children please administer gited test on scene. Getting a bit desperate are we.

by duhhh	Jul 4, 2008 1:33 PM
That is not what he is saying at all!! Usually kids of pushy parents will get tested immediately(check out teachers kids put on "PLan B") but I think its good to publicize this and try to get some real gifted kids identified.

by Wow	Jul 4, 2008 1:26 PM
Our community actually has the sense to do the right thing for its' gifted students and people complain. Ask anyone on the task force, or who has done real research into this and they will tell you: pull out programs are a waste, centers are it.

by tax watcher	Jul 4, 2008 12:23 PM
The schoolboard has eliminated how many positions because of finances? How much is it costing test anyone interested? It costs money to administer these tests! Test for the gifted is easy, testing for an learning Disability is too expensive!

by noitall	Jul 4, 2008 12:18 PM
I believe it is illegal for a school district to charge parents for screening children for exceptional education services.

by ron	Jul 4, 2008 12:15 PM
I ad a child in the gifted program i pulled dur to the fact she would (w/ bus travel time)have almost a 12 hr day that was not going to happen and I was happy w/ the gifted program now i'm just disappointed w/ it also low income + lower score=gifted?

by Jim	Jul 3, 2008 1:43 PM
You forgot to mention that most parents find the past gifted education inadequate and are very happy that our children will finally recieve the education they deserve via a specialized gifted center.

by astounded	Jul 3, 2008 10:26 AM
Why don't we just start paying the kids to go to that school. This is rediculous. Dr. A, can't you see this was a BAD idea? Campaigning for gifting children. Ferello is basically saying "anyone" come one come all. This just dilutes the program.