Exit Procedure & Appeals Process

Exit Procedure:

While we do not "unidentify" or release students from Gifted and Talented Services in MSAD 51, students and their parents/guardians may elect to "opt out" of or discontinue services. As discussed in the Identification section of this site, a permission form (or email) will be sent to the families of students who qualify for GT services. The decision whether or not to take part in GT programming is up to students and their families. Already-identified students who have been participating in services will be asked to attend an exit meeting with their parent(s)/guardian(s), GT teacher(s), and the Director of Academic Services. The exit meeting will allow the GT staff to better understand the reason(s) behind the decision to discontinue, and to collect feedback on our programming and services. 

Appeal Process:

Families of students who have been screened, but not identified for Gifted and Talented services have the right to an (one) appeal. The Appeal Process may be initiated by a student, parent, or teacher. The goal of the process is to provide opportunities for further discussion, and to gain additional insights about the student’s educational needs as they relate to GT. 

Following standards set by Chapter 104 of Maine's Education Rules, appeals are based on the following criteria:

•  “A failure to provide a fair and equitable selection based upon identification standards prescribed by Chapter 104 (104.7 Screening).

• "The introduction and inclusion of information that was not previously available to the selection committee which may alter the committee’s decision.”

A written request to the Director of Academic Services, building principal, or the GT teacher begins the Appeal Process. The building principal and the GT teacher meet with the person(s) making the appeal as soon as possible to discuss the student’s needs. Students who are not identified require other compelling information. At this point, further information about the student is gathered. Additional information may consist of any of the following: 

• Parent input of anecdotes and/or portfolio commensurate with program for which the student is being identified, including higher level thinking tasks with open-ended responses and tasks with constructed responses

• Cumulative folder review - academic history of the child over time

• Examination of evidence supplied by the classroom teacher

• Administration of other tests by a GT teacher 

The building principal will convene the GT Identification Committee as soon as the additional information is available. An appeal can be resolved in two ways:

1. 1.  The student will be placed in the Gifted and Talented program - OR -

   2. The student’s needs will be met through the regular curriculum. The appropriate GT teacher can offer differentiated resources to the student and regular education classroom teacher(s).

Parents will be notified of the Identification Committee's decision by a GT staff member or administrator as soon as possible.