An individual who believes that a school district has not complied with the provisions of the Act may appeal.

Initial identification for gifted programs includes a process of referral and testing followed by placement using a set of consistent criteria. At times, parents feel the test results or recommendations do not reflect the capability of the student. In that event, parents may appeal a placement decision by completing an appeal form. 

The form is due to the Gifted and Talented teacher at the child’s school. An appeal committee composed of the gifted and talented teachers will meet to review the student’s appeal file. The committee will review the information provided by parents and teachers along with the information collected for the initial placement decision.The goal of this committee is to be child-centered without changing the integrity of the identification process. The committee will take an in-depth look at a student, examine data, and make a recommendation from a list of choices before it is sent to the board of education for final approval. Possible appeal committee recommendations include:

• Placement is accurate, no evidence to indicate incorrect placement.

• Reason to believe that further testing is necessary. This option means that the student will be invited to test for the following school year.

• On the basis of accompanying documentation and new information gathered during the appeal process, the student will be placed in the Gifted program.

Students will not be placed in the Gifted Program unless the committee consensus is clear that the child needs accelerated curriculum experiences. Parents will be informed of the results.