Student Services

for the Gifted

that are Provided Under Chapter 16

Gifted Support – The Enrichment Program is designed to provide challenge for and meet the needs of mentally gifted students. Activities and units of study are presented in various subject areas. Overall goals include enhancing student self-esteem, building leadership, communication and interpersonal skills, and applying higher-level thinking skills.

Support Services - The GIEP team determines whether the gifted student needs one or more support services. Support services are provided if:

- It is a vital part of an objective in the GIEP without which the GIEP could not be implemented.

- It is needed to ensure that the student benefits from or gains access to a gifted education program.

Examples of support services include, but are not limited to:

¨ Psychological Services – School psychologists receive special training in child development, learning processes, emotional and behavioral adjustment, and psychological and instructional testing. The district’s school psychologist can provide a variety of services to students, parents, teachers, and administrators. These services include psycho-educational testing to determine a student’s academic strengths and needs, identification of students who might be in need of special education services, assistance in the development of appropriate educational plans designed to meet students’ needs, individual or group counseling based on academic, social or emotional concerns, and consultation with parents and teachers about students’ learning and adjustment. The school psychologist works cooperatively with students, parents, community members and school staff to assist with providing all students with a free and appropriate education. School-based psychological services are provided free of charge through the Ridgway Area School District. For more information about your district’s psychological services, please contact Mrs. Christine Kuhar, School Psychologist, at 814/776-4258.

¨ Behavioral Support Services – Behavioral Support Services are a component of Psychological Services and can be provided to students receiving their education in the general education population and/or students receiving special education services. Students’ whose behavior is adversely impacting their academic performance within the curriculum or students’ whose behavior is adversely impacting one or more areas of life functioning (peer relationships, etc.) may be candidates for Behavioral Support Services. Behavioral Support Services include, but are not limited to, the evaluation of a student’s behavior within the education setting, analysis of data collected from the evaluation, the development of behavioral interventions, the implementation of behavioral interventions, and the monitoring of those interventions as they relate to the student’s behavioral goals and/or objectives identified via the behavioral evaluation. Students may be referred for behavioral support services by parents or guardians, administrators, guidance counselors, and/or teachers. Behavioral support service referrals and/or inquiries about behavioral support services may be made by contacting the Office of Student Services (814/776-4255).

¨ Occupational Therapy – This service addresses fine motor concerns that interfere with an identified student’s ability to benefit from or gain access to his/her educational program. A doctor’s order is necessary for evaluation and treatment. This order must be renewed annually.

¨ Physical Therapy – Identified students who have gross motor concerns that hinder their ability to benefit from or gain access to their educational program may be eligible for physical therapy services. A doctor’s order is necessary for evaluation and treatment. This order must be renewed annually.

¨ Transportation – includes travel to and from school and between schools; and travel in and around school buildings.

¨ Counseling services – services provided by qualified social workers, psychologists, guidance counselors, or other qualified personnel.

¨ Medical services – services provided by a licensed physician to determine a child’s medically related disability that results in the child’s need for special education and related services

¨ School health services – services provided by a qualified school nurse or other qualified person

¨ Etc.