Plans for the Prince Edward County Public Schools (PECPS) gifted program, including exploring additional ways to test gifted students, were discussed during the PECPS School Board meeting last Wednesday.

Wanda Walker, director of exceptional programs, said the county uses the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT) for first-grade students.

“It is determined to be one of the most diverse tests, so it does not discriminate based on who you are or where you came from,” Walker said.

If students receive at least a 90 percent score, they receive eligibility for gifted program services.

“We do want to provide as many opportunities as possible for our gifted students as well as all of our students,” Walker said, noting that one student in the gifted program, Lucas Dudley, will be attending space camp in Huntsville, Alabama.

Buffalo District School Board Member Lucy Carson asked if gifted students can be removed from the program.

Walker said students can choose to opt out of the course material, but would not be involuntarily removed from the program.

Gifted program services, Walker said, include in-class differentiation, which includes a deeper look at lessons, honors classes and online courses.

Walker said in-class differentiation can pose challenges for teachers, but she noted that teachers receive training to meet that challenge.

“It can be done, and can be done well,” Walker said.

Walker said diversity in the program continues to be a challenge, and noted that Division Superintendent Dr. Barbara Johnson and she have explored the possibility of testing students as they become older.

“When we looked at the screenings across the state, they’re getting screened anywhere from kindergarten when they walk through the door, all the way through the eighth grade,” Walker said. “There’s no consistency in that either.”

Prospect District School Board Member Elzora Stiff expressed support of exploring screenings at a later age, and believed additional methods to understand students could open more possibilities for them.

“My concern is, are gifted students being identified too early? When I hear you say possibly looking at them further down the line, that gives me hope,” Stiff said.

She asked when the division would consider additional screenings.

Walker said the additional screenings could begin at any point following agreement from the administration and faculty.