Appeals
2025-26 Highly Capable Appeal Process
Between Feb. 5-20, 2026: A parent/guardian may file an appeal if their student is found to be ineligible for Highly Capable services. This will include students identified as highly capable in a single domain and who families would like to appeal the decision for the non-eligible domain. A formal appeal should be submitted in writing within 10 business days of receiving the Highly Capable Eligibility and Placement notification letter.
How to Appeal
There are two types of appeals, conditional and identification. For both appeal types, an explanation and evidence/proof needs to be submitted along with the appeal form (available Feb. 5-20). There must be proof that there was either exceptional circumstances or missing objective or subjective criteria(s) during the Universal Screening process.
Parents/guardians must select one of the two options for their appeal. If the appeal does not fall into these two categories, the appeal will not be considered. Appeals based on a belief that the included assessment scores do not adequately show a need for HC services or student growth are not a valid appeal.
Steps to submit an appeal:
- Gather all documentation and proof.
- Submit one Appeal form per student (links below)
- Immediately after submitting the Appeal form, send all documentation and proof to hicap2@seattleschools.org
- In the subject line, please add “Appeal” for easy processing.
- Please submit all documentation/proof in one email
The Highly Capable Services department will not accept additional information, documents, or appeals after Feb. 20, 2026.
Appeal Forms
The 2025-26 appeal window will open on Feb. 5.
The appeal form will only accept responses Feb. 5-20.
Appeal Types and Examples
Conditional Appeal
A condition or circumstance is believed to have caused inaccurate or unavailable information.
- Example 1: My student was sick for the entire window of Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment, and this was verified by a doctor’s note and principal letter.
- Example 2: My student’s iPad/computer was taken by another student during the assessment. This was reported immediately to the teacher, who along with the principal verified the situation.
The appealing party must collect and submit in writing:
An explanation and proof detailing why they believe their student’s identification results are inaccurate due to a condition or circumstance and compelling reasoning for why an exception should be made.
Identification Appeal
There was a mistake in the data used for identification. This caused the student to be found ineligible for services.
- Example: The teacher and principal verify that the assessment data was incorrectly uploaded into the system.
The appealing party must collect and submit in writing:
An explanation accompanied by evidence proving there was a mistake in the data used for identification.