Gifted Services Eligibility

APS provides universal screening at multiple grade levels in elementary and middle school. Based on the universal screener, students who reach a benchmark score are automatically screened for advanced academic services. These students will be screened for advanced academics unless parents opt out of this process.

In addition, teachers at every grade level work with the Advanced Academic Coach to refer students for the screening process.  If a teacher(s) refer a student, the family will receive a referral letter, an acknowledgement of notification (this gives permission to begin gathering data for the portfolio), and the parent information form (optional).

Families may also submit a referral to begin the screening process.  Once a referral from a family is received, the process of gathering data for the portfolio begins.

A student is referred based on one or more of the following criteria:

• a demonstrated potential and/or need for services beyond that provided by the general education program of studies instructional program
• available ability and achievement data information
• digital portfolios that show growth over time; student products/work samples
• academic performance and/or potential beyond grade level standards
• behavioral characteristics of gifted students

Referral Forms: English | Español | አማርኛ | বাংলা

Referrals may be submitted before April 1 annually. A referral form may be completed by the following sources:

• classroom teacher or other staff member
• parent/guardian
• community member
• student

Please note: any student who is automatically referred by the universal screener does not need a referral form.

Students may be referred once during the academic school year. Typically this happens in the winter/spring unless a student is new to APS. During this once-a-year referral process, a holistic case study approach is used to examine data from multiple areas of strength to determine eligibility in the following areas: English language arts, mathematics, science, and/or social studies; visual and performing arts; general music and/or visual arts.

Student referrals are considered by a school-based committee composed of a classroom teacher, Advanced Academic Coach, an administrator, special education teacher (as appropriate), EL or SpEd teacher (as appropriate), and other members who may know the child and could provide input such as the counselor or school psychologist.

APS uses a holistic case study approach in the screening process. All relevant data is reviewed and the decision to identify a need for services or not is made by the committee. In identifying students for Gifted Services, multiple criteria are used including the following:

• Nationally-normed aptitude assessments
• Achievement assessments
• Teacher observations
• Parent Info Form | Español | Монгол | አማርኛ | বাংলা |  العربية
• Digital portfolios/work samples/performance assessments

Parents are notified of the committee’s decision.  Families of eligible students will receive a permission form to return to accept identification. Families of ineligible students will receive information on how to appeal, if they choose to do so.

Level One Appeal – School-based

Parents and guardians who disagree for any reason with the decision of an identification committee may appeal the decision within 10 instructional days after being informed of the committee’s decision. The appeal must be submitted in writing to the Principal of the student’s school. Within 10 instructional days of receiving the appeal, the Principal and Advanced Academic Coach acting as representatives of the Identification Committee meet with parent/guardians to discuss the decision and review the identification file.

Level Two Appeal – Central Office Administrative Appeal

Parents and guardians who disagree with the decision of the Level One Appeal – School-based Appeal decision may appeal the decision within 10 instructional days after meeting with the Principal. The appeal must be submitted in writing to the Syphax Education Center, Office of Academics, Supervisor of Advanced Academics and Talent Development (2110 Washington Blvd., Arlington, VA 22204).