Canton Local Schools

What Does it Mean to be Gifted?

“Gifted” defines students who perform or show potential for performing at remarkably high levels 

of accomplishment when compared to others of their age, experience, or environment and who are identified under division (a), (b), (c), or (d) of section 3324.03 of the Ohio Revised Code.

In accordance with House Bill 282, gifted and talented identification procedures are in place in Canton Local Schools for Kindergarten through grade 12. Students can be identified as gifted in one or more of the following categories using the State of Ohio criteria:

• Superior Cognitive Ability
• Specific Academic Ability (reading, math, science, and/or social studies)
• Creative Thinking Ability
• Visual and Performing Arts Ability (art, instrumental and vocal music, dance, and theater)

Canton Local students will be academically screened for gifted ability using standardized testing, including MAP Growth assessment in grades 2-10, as well as CogAT and/or NNAT-3 in grades 2 and 5. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce has stated that Ohio State Tests and End-of-Course Tests may not be used to identify individual students as gifted.

A student may also be individually referred for testing at any time by a teacher, parent, or self-request using the form provided from the link on this page. Visual and performing arts referrals are made by the districts’ arts teachers, but can also be made by parents or students. VPA assessments take place on a Saturday at an out-of-district location in the Fall and/or Spring.