Ohio shortchanges gifted pupils

CLEVELAND (AP) — Fourth-grader Alex Paul sometimes gets bored in class except when he spends one day a week with other gifted pupils.

“The work is much harder. It’s trickier,” he said. “I like that.”

Unlike in many other states, Ohio schools aren’t required to offer services for gifted pupils even though about one of every six pupils in public schools is classified as gifted, The Plain Dealer reported Wednesday.

During the last school year, about a quarter of Ohio’s gifted pupils received either full or partial services, according to data filed with the Ohio Department of Education.

Advocates for gifted children say federal laws focusing on passing standardized tests and a lack of money within school districts are stopping schools from offering more help for gifted pupils.

Alex Paul’s teacher, Charlene Hartley, who works with gifted pupils in Elyria, said she wishes she had more class time so she can challenge the children even more.

She meets with the class 36 days during the school year, compared with 180 days for the typical teacher.

Federal law requires special education for children with disabilities but not gifted pupils.

Ohio is not among the 31 states that require districts to provide gifted services, according to the National Association for Gifted Children.

“We are turning our backs on these kids,” said Kimberly Allen, gifted-program coordinator for the Euclid School District. “This is where our future lies. These are the kids that are going to make our country competitive. We should be spending money on them.”

Research shows most gifted pupils need extra classroom instruction.