Gifted Department Overview

Maximized Learning Potential

Some students demonstrate the ability or potential to perform at remarkably high levels of accomplishment compared to their peers. The Talented & Gifted programming at Tiffin City Schools aims to identify an individual’s specific talents, nourish those abilities, provide each student an appropriate education based on those abilities, and challenge students with programming that meets their academic and intellectual needs.

Is My Child “Gifted”?

Students with gifts and talents perform—or have the capability to perform—at higher levels compared to others of the same age, experience, and environment in one or more domains. They require modification(s) to their educational experience(s) to learn and realize their potential. Student with gifts and talents:

Come from all racial, ethnic, and cultural populations, as well as all economic strata.
Require sufficient access to appropriate learning opportunities to realize their potential.
Can have learning and processing disorders that require specialized intervention and accommodation.
Need support and guidance to develop socially and emotionally as well as in their areas of talent.

Tiffin City Schools follows the Ohio Revised Code 3324 in the identification of gifted students and services provided.

Too many students do not receive appropriately challenging curriculum and services and as a result, fail to reach their potential. This is a loss, not only for the students, but for the nation. The gaps in support of and services for our most advanced students are even more pronounced for children from minority, ELL, and low-income backgrounds. Tiffin City Schools is committed to closing this gap through universal screening, talent development initiatives, professional development in equity, and use of teacher/parent nominations in the assessment process for gifted identification.

Typical Gifted Services by Grade Level

K-2
Identified gifted students may be served through early entrance to kindergarten, whole grade acceleration, or single-subject acceleration.

3-5
Identified gifted students may be served through cluster grouping, single-subject self-contained classrooms, or self-contained gifted classrooms. Differentiated instruction will be incorporated into the service setting to meet the needs of all students. Services are provided by a Gifted Interventional Specialist. Whole grade acceleration or subject-acceleration may be provided at this grade level band, too.

6-8
Identified gifted students may be served through honors and advanced classes with differentiated instruction or single-subject acceleration. Services are provided by a general education teacher receiving the prescribed professional development hours necessary to provide gifted services. Whole grade acceleration may be provided at this grade level band, too.

9-12
Identified gifted students may be served through honors classes, Advanced Placement courses, and College Credit Plus courses with differentiated instruction or single-subject acceleration. Services are provided by a general education teacher receiving the prescribed professional development hours necessary to provide gifted services. Whole grade acceleration may be provided at this grade level band, too.

Paula Zirm
Supervisor of Gifted Education
(419) 455-9107
paula_zirm@tiffincityschools.org

Tiffin City Schools
244 South Monroe Street
Tiffin, OH 44883
(419) 447-2515
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If you are reaching out during non-school hours, your email may not be addressed until the next business day. If you prefer to phone our district office, please call (419) 447-2515.