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Seattle Public Schools/Departments/Advanced Learning/Identification and Eligibility/Appeals

Appeals

Advanced Learning Appeal Process  2023

WAC 392-170-076

To appeal the Multi-disciplinary Selection Committee’s Advanced Learning services decision for students in grades K-8 grade, parents/guardians must submit an appeal form and provide additional documentation, if needed. 

Advanced Learning services eligibility decisions for the 2022-23 school year will be shared with families in the eligibility letter. Families have 10 school days to submit an appeal form (available in the Spring). All families that choose to appeal will receive the same consideration.

Appeals to Final Assessment Results

A parent/guardian must select one of the two type of appeals and provide the required information.

What is a Conditional Appeal?

A condition or circumstance believed to have caused inaccurate testing results. The appealing party must collect and submit in writing:

  1. An explanation detailing why they believe the Final Assessment results are inaccurate due to a condition or circumstance and compelling reasoning for why an exception should be made.
What is an Identification Appeal?

There was a mistake in the data used for the Final Assessment which caused the student to be found ineligible for services. To initiate an identification appeal, the appealing party must collect and submit in writing:

  1. An explanation accompanied by evidence proving there was a mistake in the data used for the Final Assessment.

Where can I find an appeal form?

Forms will be available in the Winter- Spring 2023.

  • Online appeal form
  • Upon request, the appeal form can be emailed to families. Contact advlearn@seattleschools.org or 206-252-0130
  • Copies will be available at the John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence

Who is involved in the appeal process?

Teachers or school leaders are not involved in the decisions during appeal process. Private testing or assessments are not part of the process.

However, teachers and school leaders can provide additional and valuable information about students upon request by families and the Advanced Learning department.

Can Advanced Learning reconsider the eligibility decision we received in the Spring 2023?

We thank you for your advocacy on behalf of your student. You are encouraged to complete an appeal if you believe your student’s eligibility decision does not reflect their need for Advanced Learning services and you’d like to provide additional data for consideration.  

My student was found Not Eligible at this time. What does this mean?

Students with high scores sometimes received a Not Eligible (NE) at this time because they were missing necessary data points. (Example: A first grade student with MAP scores in Reading and Math at 97 percentile but did not have the required 3 data points in Reading or a second data point in Math.)   

Our updated eligibility process takes place on a rolling basis. Every school year, beginning in the Fall, student data will be collected for an eligibility decision. If you believe that you have more supporting data for this school year’s consideration, please consider submitting an appeal. In addition, you are welcome to send us additional information by email advlearn2@seattleschools.org.

Why was my student found eligible for Advanced Learning, but not Highly Capable?

Advanced Learning (AL) Eligibility   

Students may receive an AL eligibility in either Math, Reading, or Both- This will be clarified on your student’s eligibility letter.  Students must have at least two data points for Math or Reading in the range of 87 percentile in order to receive the AL eligibility.    

For students in K-2, an additional reading level must be provided because the MAP reading does not measure reading fluency. Other data is fully considered and helps us see the whole child but does not replace the need for Reading and Math proficiency.    

Highly Capable (HC) Eligibility    

Students must have at least two data points for Reading and two data points for Math in the range of 95 percentile or higher in order to thrive in accelerating over content.   

For students in K-2, an additional reading level must be provided because the MAP reading does not measure reading fluency. Other data is fully considered and helps us see the whole child but does not replace the need for Reading and Math proficiency.