The Identification Process

The identification process may be initiated at any time through a referral from parents, teachers, or from the students themselves. Once the gifted education specialists have formally received the referral and have obtained permission to test, they then meet with the child to administer a series of nationally norm-referenced assessments. These tests allow the student to be compared to peers of his/her age across a larger sample. When testing is complete, the identification committee at each school meets to discuss the results as well as to consider any other additional data. This placement committee is composed of administrators, gifted education staff, and guidance and instructional personnel, and it is the responsibility of this committee to ultimately make a final decision about proper placement of students who are screened for the program. 

A student may be found eligible, not eligible, or may be deferred for consideration of services again at a future time. A parent who disagrees with a decision may request an appeal with the Central Placement Appeals Committee within 10 days of notification.