Regulations state the Gifted program should be an academic based program and is no longer a talent/interest based program. Meaning “If a child meets the multiple criteria to be identified as gifted and is in need of services, he or she qualifies for specially designed instruction under Chapter 16 of the Pennsylvania code and a GIEP is developed. If a child does not have a specific academic strength then the needs of the child would/should be met according to the criteria determined as part of the PA Core Standards.”