The Referral/Eligibility Process (Part 2)

Making Sense of the Eligibility Process                                                                                                    LVH/'00

The Identification/Placement Process ( I/P ) for the SIGNET program begins with a review of the student's school records.  As the process continues, standardized test scores (achievement and ability), classroom grades, and information from the classroom teacher are all considered.  Resource teachers also collect student work samples.  The parent questionnaire is another vital piece of this profile.  We look at the child from several different perspectives.

The parent questionnaire is the piece that seems to raise the most questions.  It can be rather daunting, but parents and guardians know more about their child than anyone else, and we truly value this input.  My advice is to be as specific as possible in your examples.  Instead of saying, "My child has a wonderful memory," give a specific example of a time when your child exhibited this.  Be truthful, but feel free to brag.

After all of this information has been collected, each student's profile is reviewed by the Local School Level I/P Committee.  After carefully studying  the profile, this committee forwards the folder on to the Division Level I/P Committee with suggestions for any services the child might need beyond the regular curriculum.  The Division Level Committee in turn reviews the folder and makes its decision, taking into consideration  suggestions made by the school.  Both committees are composed of administrators, guidance counselors, classroom teachers, and gifted education staff.

This is a rather involved process and generally takes 6-8 weeks.  Once the committee has reached a decision, the parents are notified of the results in writing.  Third graders going through the eligibility process for the SIGNET Program in the spring will be notified by the end of June of the eligibility results.

If you have further questions about the program or screening procedures, you may call either the Lake Ridge Elem. Gifted Center at 703-494-3483 or the Gifted Education Office at 703-791-7400.                                          HOME