What are the eligibility categories of gifted learners in Seattle Public Schools?

There are two eligibility categories of gifted learners in Seattle Public Schools:
1) academically highly gifted (eligible to enroll in the Accelerated Progress Program or Spectrum; 2) academically gifted (eligible to enroll in Spectrum).

Who is considered eligible as academically gifted or academically highly gifted?

• Students who complete the district testing process and are found eligible by an Eligibility Review Committee.
• Students from out-of-district who, upon review of provided documentation concerning cognitive ability and achievement, are found eligible by Advanced Learning staff.

How does program enrollment impact student eligibility?

• Elementary and middle school students officially enrolled in a Spectrum or APP program:
  • Eligibility continues through the eighth grade.
• Elementary students participating in an Advanced Learning Opportunities (ALO) program:
  • Eligibility continues through the fifth grade.
• Middle School students participating in an Advanced Learning Opportunities (ALO) program:
  • Eligibility expires at the conclusion of the fifth grade if the student does not officially enroll in a Spectrum, ALO, or APP program as a sixth grader.

If a student does not enroll in a program, what is the duration of student eligibility?

The duration of eligibility is one year. Students who do not enroll in a program will need to re-test the following school year in order to retain eligibility.

See Enrollment for more information.

Who does the National Association for Gifted Children identify as gifted?

What are the specific criteria for eligibility as a student who is academically gifted or academically highly gifted?

What are the specific assessments used for evaluating eligibility?

Eligibility and Program Enrollment for Twice-Exceptional Students (i.e., students qualified as gifted and as having a disability)

updated 6/9/2008