Gifted Assessments

What is giftedness?

The Ministry of Education in Ontario defines giftedness as “An unusually advanced degree of general intellectual ability that requires differentiated learning experiences of a depth and breadth beyond those normally provided in the regular school program to satisfy the level of educational potential indicated.”

What constitutes the gifted criteria?

In Ontario, every school board has slightly different criteria for assessing and formally identifying and placing gifted students.

Gifted screening occurs in many school boards during the child’s grade 3 year.  If a child meets the board screening criteria they may be referred to Psychological Services for an assessment of intellectual functioning.  

Gifted testing usually involves the administration of a standardized intelligence test completed by a member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario and providing evidence of very superior reasoning ability.  In most school boards in Ontario, students must score at the 98th percentile when compared to their same age peers.  In addition, some school boards require additional assessment.  For example, academic testing may also be required and considered in the formal identification process.

For more information on the gifted assessment process please contact me.