Advanced Learner Services

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Each school has a site-based gifted and talented Admission, Review, Exit (ARE) committee composed of teachers, counselors and/or administrators trained in gifted education who review data and make placement decisions based on the following:

• selection of potentially gifted students who would function near the top of the district’s population when compared to their peers, and demonstrate educational need for the learning environment provided by the gifted and talented classes,
• ability to function in an environment which requires self-motivation and independence.

Multiple criteria are used which include both quantitative and qualitative measures. The following are used to determine eligibility for the Advanced Learner Services program:

• Age appropriate testing data
• observable characteristics of the gifted and talented student
• classroom performance as evaluated by the ARE committee
• student portfolio
• parent inventory or student inventory
• interview if needed

All elementary campuses in CFBISD offer Advanced Learner Services.

A parent/guardian, student, or educator may appeal a final decision of the selection committee regarding selection for or exit from the gifted and talented program. The appeal process is designed to ensure that appropriate decisions are made in the best interest of students and according to district guidelines. Level One Appeals shall be made to the campus Admissions, Review, and Exit (ARE) selection committee. Any subsequent appeals shall be made to the district in accordance with FNG(LOCAL) beginning at Level Two. 

Conditions for appeals:

• A belief that a misinterpretation of the test data has occurred
• An inequitable or inappropriate application of the identification process is alleged
• Substantial evidence that, when added to the existing information, creates a compelling "preponderance of evidence" regarding the student's need for program services should be considered

If the parent/guardian, student, or educator is not satisfied with the decision of the campus selection committee, he/she may make a Level One Appeal.

Procedure for Level One Appeal:

• Parent/guardian, student, or educator completes the online appeal form within 15 business days from the postmark date on the GT assessment report.
• Person initiating the appeal submits additional documentation/evidence to support the appeal to the campus counselor.
  • No additional documentation/evidence may be submitted after the Level One Appeal.
• Advanced Academics notifies the person initiating the appeal of receipt of the form and/or additional documentation.
• Additional testing may require based on an appeal, but additional testing and/or data collection is not guaranteed. The campus committee determines when additional testing is necessary.
• Advanced Academics notifies the person initiating the appeal of the committee's Level One Appeal response in writing within 10 business days of the original appeal request. 

Procedure for Level Two Appeal:

If the parent/guardian, student, or educator who is not satisfied with the decision of the Level One Appeal, he/she may make a Level Two appeal through the GT Specialist serving their child's campus.

• Parent/guardian, student, or educator who is not satisfied with the decision of the Level One Appeal, may initiate a Level Two Appeal to the GT Specialist who serves their child's campus.
  • Find a GT Specialist by Campus
• The GT Specialist will contact the initiator for a mandator conference prior to beginning the level Two Appeal process. The conference should occur within 10 days of the notification of the ARE committee's Level One Appeal decision. 
• Parent/guardian, student, or educator completes the online Level Two Appeal form within 10 business days from the written Level One Appeal response.
  • No additional documentation/evidence may be submitted after the Level One Appeal.
• The Director of Advanced Academics notifies the person initiating the appeal of receipt of the form.
• The District Appeals Committee notifies the person initiating the appeal of the committee's decision in writing within 10 business day of the Level Two Appeal request. The updated GT Assessment report is mailed to the parent/guardian of the student. 

If the parent/guardian, student, or educator is not satisfied with the decision of the Level Two appeal, he/she may file a complaint or grievance in accordance with FNG (Local) beginning Level Three.

In some extenuating circumstances, it may be determined by the campus Admission, Review and Exit Committee to be in the best interest of the student to remove him/her from the program temporarily by granting a “furlough” status for a specific period of time up to a year. The campus ARE committee will review the student’s placement status at the end of the furlough period, at which time the student should be returned to the gifted and talented program or formally exited. If the student exits, the exit procedure will be followed. Parent/s or guardian/s are notified of all procedures and signature is required.

Once a student is placed in the gifted and talented program, he/she will most likely continue in the program. If, however, it becomes evident that an error has been made in the placement of a student, the student is consistently non-productive, or exhibits behavioral problems inhibiting the learning of other students, it may be in the best interest of the student to exit him/her from the program. All methods of intervention must be utilized before the Admission, Review, Exit Committee determines and proceeds with formal exit. Parent/s or guardian/s are notified and involved in intervention strategies. The final exit decision should be based on educational, psychological and personal reasons with no single criterion as the determining factor for exiting the students. If formal exit is deemed appropriate by the ARE committee, parents are notified and signature is required.

Students new to the district who are nominated for the gifted and talented program may be screened after a six-week waiting period. Students entering the district from another gifted program must meet the criteria established by the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD. Those transferring from another gifted program may expedite the process by providing assessment information from their previous school.
Participation in any program or service offered for gifted and talented students is voluntary on the part of each student and requires written permission of their parent/s or legal guardian/s.