High School Highly Capable Appeal Process

The Advanced Learning department is committed to providing a fair and transparent appeals process (outlined in WAC 392-170-076) for students in grades 9-11 who were referred during the 2024-25 academic year. 

Parents/guardians may file an appeal if their student is deemed ineligible for a Highly Capable designation. Appeals must include supporting evidence that meets one of the two appeal categories outline below. Appeals that do not fit these categories will not be considered. 

How to Appeal 

There are two types of appeals, conditional and identification. For both appeal types, an explanation and evidence/proof need to be submitted along with the appeal form (available between March 26-April 10). 

Before submitting an appeal, please gather the following: 

• Your student’s eligibility letter. This letter is in your Source account. 
• Information about the types of appeals 
• Online Appeal Form
• A written explanation of the appeal, including any supporting documents from school staff (if applicable). Supporting documents must be submitted within 24 hours of submitting the appeal form. 
• High School Student Statement
• High School Educational Staff Statement (optional)  

Submit all appeal documents to advlearn2@seattleschools.org with the subject line “Appeal” for timely processing. 

If interpretation services are needed to complete the appeal form, please contact the Advanced Learning Customer Care Team at advlearn2@seattleschools.org. 

Types of Appeals 

Families must select one of the two appeal types below. 

Conditional Appeals 

A conditional appeal is based on a specific condition or circumstance that may have caused inaccurate eligibility results. The appealing party must provide: 

• A detailed explanation of the condition or circumstance. 
• Compelling reasoning for why an exception should be made. 
• Documentation supporting the claim (if applicable). 

Examples of Conditional Appeals: 

• Illness During Testing: My student was sick during the SBA/WCAS testing window and has a doctor’s note verifying their illness, along with an absence verification from the school. 
• Testing Disruption: My student’s test was interrupted due to a verified issue such as a technology malfunction, power outage, or another student interfering with their test session. 
• Incomplete Testing Due to School Error: My student did not complete the required MAP  
• Alternate Data Submission: Our family wishes to provide additional data that was not included in the original eligibility review, such as out-of-district assessments or private evaluations. This option is for students newly enrolled in SPS during the 2024-25 school year. 

Identification Appeals 

An identification appeal is based on an error in the data used during the eligibility determination process. The appealing party must provide: 

• A written explanation of the mistake. 
• Evidence that incorrect data was used in the assessment process. 

Examples of Identification Appeals: 

• Incorrect Student Data: My student’s GPA, test scores, or coursework documentation was entered incorrectly, leading to an inaccurate eligibility determination. 
• Miscalculated Scores: The percentile ranking on my student’s assessment was miscalculated, resulting in an incorrect determination of eligibility. 
• Missing Data from School Records: The assessment data in The Source or another official record does not match what was shared by the school or district. 

What is NOT a Valid Appeal? 

Appeals that do not fall into the two categories above will not be reviewed. If an appeal is not considered valid, families will receive a notification explaining why. 

The following are not valid reasons for an appeal: 

• Disagreement with assessment results: If a family believes the assessment does not accurately reflect their child’s abilities but does not have supporting evidence of a testing error or exceptional circumstance, the appeal will not be considered. 
• Academic growth since testing: If a student has shown significant improvement after the assessment was conducted, this is not grounds for an appeal. 
• Personal belief that a student should be eligible: Appeals must be based on documented errors or exceptional circumstances, not general concerns about eligibility criteria or assessment methods. 

Who is part of the MPC Appeal Committee? 

Trained educators and other professional staff including:  

• Special teacher (as defined in WAC 392-170-038) who has training, experience, advanced skills, and knowledge in the education of Highly Capable.  
• Psychologist or other qualified practitioner with the training to interpret achievement test results.  
• A certificated coordinator/administrator with responsibility for the supervision of the district’s program for Highly Capable students; and   
• Additional professionals, determined by the Advanced Learning department to provide insight or support analysis. 

What Happens Next? 

Once an appeal is submitted, the Multi-Disciplinary Placement Appeal Committee (MPC) will review the case. The committee, consisting of trained educators and professional staff (including counselors, teachers, and district leaders), will: 

• Review the submitted appeal form and supporting documentation. 
• Examine the data used to make the original eligibility decision. 
• Determine whether the appeal qualifies for a change in eligibility status. 

A written decision will be provided to families within 25 school days after the appeal form is received. Each student may submit one appeal per year, and all decisions made by the MPC Appeal Committee are final. 

Pursuant to state law, any person aggrieved by a final decision of a district official may appeal to King County Superior Court within 30 days after the decision. 

For additional questions, please contact us at advlearn2@seattleschools.org.