As a result of roundtable discussions with stakeholders regarding the evaluation process for Gifted Ed. services, the PDE Special and Gifted Education Committee was formed in July 2023 to review all pertinent information and provide recommendations to the PA State Board of Ed. The review process included examining current policies and legal cases, a review of literature and experiential information, and a collaborative look at the most salient issues.

Subsequently. the committee invited to its November 13, 2025 meeting members of the PA State Board of Ed. and the public to hear a report by the committee. According to the committee, the most prevalent suggestions made during roundtable discussions were lowering the IQ score from 130 to 125, including those with strengths in nonacademic areas, and examining the use of standardized confidence intervals as part of the MDE.

Regarding the first issue, the committee expressed concerns that a single score can preclude students with diverse backgrounds from acceptance. It was the feeling of the committee that there was no need to open or amend any of the current regulations relative to the screening or evaluation process. Instead, there is a need to improve consistency, equitable service provisions, universal screening practices, and resource creation/provision. Thus, it was determined that there is no need to alter any parts of the current definition of a gifted student. Rather, it was felt that there is a need for clarification (including a resource guide and training) as to the relevance of the second “or” in the state’s definition of a gifted student which is:
“This term includes a person with an IQ of 130 or higher or when multiple criteria as set forth in
this chapter and in Department guidelines indicate gifted ability.”

The committee expressed the need to eliminate inconsistencies in the identification of giftedness so evaluation results are transferable between school districts and to ensure fair access to all groups of students. Thus, a statewide resource guide for all personnel involved in Gifted Ed. will be created to support consistency and sustainability, and training will be provided to all Intermediate Units.

After much praise for the efforts of the committee and recognizing the volume of information provided in the presentation, it was decided to table action regarding recommendations pertaining to the evaluation of students for Gifted Ed. services tabled until the new year to enable further deliberation.