Appeal Process & Timeline
Canyon ISD values a fair, thoughtful, and transparent identification process for Gifted & Talented (GT) services. Families who believe additional information may help the district better understand their child’s abilities may submit an appeal as outlined below.
Appeal Eligibility & Timeline
Appeals may be filed from February 1st through the first Friday in April.
Appeals may only be submitted by a student's parent or legal guardian.
Appeals submitted after the deadline cannot be considered.
This extended appeal window is designed to provide families sufficient time to thoughtfully gather and submit meaningful information.
Purpose of the Appeal
The appeal process allows families to submit qualitative evidence that may demonstrate gifted characteristics not fully captured during the initial identification process. Appeals are intended to provide additional context about a student’s abilities, creativity, and thinking patterns over time.
Appeals do not replace or override district identification criteria or assessments, but rather support the committee’s holistic review of the student profile.
Appeal Submission Requirements
Parents may submit up to five (5) artifacts that demonstrate the student’s gifted traits or advanced abilities. Artifacts should reflect original work and independent thinking whenever possible.
(These are examples only; families may submit other comparable evidence.)
Short videos or films directed, filmed, or created by the student
Original puzzles, games, or written materials created by the student
Science experiments, mathematical reasoning, or STEM projects completed with little to no adult assistance
Original music, compositions, artwork, or performances created by the student
Evidence demonstrating:
High levels of creativity
Critical and abstract thinking
Intense focus or concentration on tasks
Advanced problem-solving
A wide variety of interests sustained over time
Writing samples, drawings, or mathematical applications that demonstrate advanced thinking when compared to same-age peers
A one-page summary describing the student’s academic strengths, interests, or passions
Note: Due to file size limitations, videos may be submitted as links (e.g., YouTube or Vimeo).
ARTIFACTS SHOULD REFLECT ORIGINAL THINKING, CREATIVITY, OR ADVANCED REASONING THAT IS SIGNIFICANTLY BEYOND WHAT IS TYPICALLY OBSERVED IN SAME-AGE OR SAME-GRADE PEERS.
Families may also submit results from outside cognitive or achievement assessments (e.g., WISC-V, Woodcock-Johnson, etc.) completed by qualified professionals. Outside testing is reviewed as one component of the holistic appeal process and does not guarantee identification.
The following items will not be considered as appeal artifacts:
Report cards
STAAR scores
NWEA MAP scores
mCLASS scores
Worksheets
Many of these measures are already reviewed as part of the district’s initial identification process.
Data Considered During Appeal Review
In addition to the submitted artifacts, the district appeal committee will review information from the student’s initial screening cycle for the current school year, which may include:
CogAT results
Abstract creativity exercises
Teacher and parent rating scales
NWEA MAP, mCLASS, or STAAR data (as applicable)
Families do not need to resubmit district-administered assessments, as these are already included in the appeal review.
To ensure equitable review for all students, no more than five (5) appeal artifacts will be considered per student.
Appeal Review & Notification
Appeals are reviewed by a district-level GT appeal committee.
All submitted materials are reviewed collectively and holistically.
Appeal decisions will be communicated to parents via email before the last day of school.
Committee decisions are based on alignment with district GT identification criteria and the Texas Education Code definition of giftedness.
Additional Information
The appeal process is designed to be fair, consistent, and student-centered.
Submission of an appeal does not guarantee identification for GT services.
Students may continue to be considered for GT services in future identification cycles in accordance with district procedures.
Appeal Form
If you are interested in filing an appeal, please check back on February 1st for an appeal form.