Orange City SD outlines changes to gifted services after July state standard update

Becca Fred Monsky, coordinator of gifted services for Orange City School District, told the board the latest revision of Ohio's operating standards for identifying and serving gifted students took effect July 1, 2025, and that districts must adjust identification, services and professional‑learning practices to comply.

The changes remove a requirement that whole‑grade screening include creative‑thinking ability, establish cluster‑grouping as a minimum of three students (with a state waiver available), and require written education plans to include measurable academic goals aligned to Ohio learning standards. Monsky said districts must also document how services meet a student's strengths and educational needs and encourage annual parent input.

Monsky described local program shifts the district has already implemented: a flexible resource room in grades 4 and 5, subject‑area specialists at Brady Middle School, and expanded honors/AP/CCP offerings at the high school. She cited pre‑assessment data showing fifth‑grade participation in enrichment rose from 21% to 80% in the pilot cohort and said 38% of those students reported it was their first time receiving enrichment in that context. She added that MAP growth and Ohio state testing metrics show positive value‑added results in some subjects.

Board members praised the talent‑development model and asked whether the fifth‑grade pilot would be extended to lower grades. Monsky said expansion would require more data and discussion but that the district values a continuum of services from grade 1 through 12 and will continue incremental adjustments.

The superintendent introduced the presentation and said the policy committee had reviewed proposed policy language tied to these and other changes; several policy revisions are scheduled for a second reading at the next regular meeting.