GBRS Local Committee Question

[Anonymous]

Anyone know how the GBRS committees are supposed to work? My child's form does not have any of her classroom teachers listed in the signature section. Does that sound right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone know how the GBRS committees are supposed to work? My child's form does not have any of her classroom teachers listed in the signature section. Does that sound right?

From the parent information packet on the AAP office website:

Local School Screening Committee
The local school screening committee consists of at least three of the following: a teacher who works with the student, the advanced academic resource teacher, an administrator, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teacher, and other specialists as needed.

Who was on your committee?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone know how the GBRS committees are supposed to work? My child's form does not have any of her classroom teachers listed in the signature section. Does that sound right?

Sounds right.

http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/pdfs/localplan/FinalLocalPlan.pdf

See page 5 - Screening Procedures (8VAC20-40-60A.3

All K-8 grade students are considered for advanced academic services through an annual review
of ability test scores, achievement test scores, progress reports, and a gifted behaviors rating
scale (Attachment B). The advanced academic resource teacher at each elementary school
reviews data for students at that school and collaborates with classroom teachers and other
school professionals to identify students who need additional challenge through Level II and III
advanced academic services. All decisions are made by the committee using the guidelines in
the GT Testing, Screening and Identification Procedures Manual (Attachment C).

Schools with high numbers of students on free and reduced lunch, and/or students from diverse
cultural, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds have incorporated a Young Scholars (YS) model
(Attachment D) into the screening and identification process. In addition, the advanced
academic resource teachers find and nurture Young Scholars in every elementary school.

Beginning in kindergarten, the Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) places student
data into a database (Attachment E). This database includes ability test scores (if available),
achievement test scores (if available), and a score on the gifted behaviors rating scale. The
database is used by a local screening committee to decide which students need school-based
services (Levels II or III) and in which academic area(s). In addition to the database, referrals
(Attachment F) are accepted from parents or legal guardians, teachers, professionals, students,
peers, self or others. Each year the AART documents services received and materials used for
each student on a record of services form (Attachment G) which is kept in the student’s
cumulative file.

[Anonymous]

Interesting. This sounds like they start tracking them in kindergarten. Can a child every break free of what they thought about him in kindergarten? Do they account for late bloomers?

[Anonymous]

at our school the committee included the asst. principal, one of the guidance conselors, the aart and a non 2nd grade teacher. I'm told the individual 2nd grade teachers meet with the committee about the students, but they have to agree about the GBRS and comments.

[Anonymous]

Perhaps the teacher didn't agree with the need for services.

[Anonymous]

My son's GBRS form was not signed by any of his teachers either, but the examples given were very specific and clearly had been relayed by the teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Interesting. This sounds like they start tracking them in kindergarten. Can a child every break free of what they thought about him in kindergarten? Do they account for late bloomers?

If you would not want your child to be considered for Level II services in 1st and 2nd grades, I am guessing you could opt to not accept services for your child.

See page 14:

http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/pdfs/localplan/FinalLocalPlan.pdf

(c) Parents receive written notification of all placement decisions. This includes
Levels II and III part-time school-based services (Attachment V - AA), full
time Level IV services (see Attachments M - Q), and middle school Honors.
Permission for placement is required for all programs. When a change in the
level of service is recommended by the school staff, the parents are invited to
participate in a conference where the recommendation is discussed. The
parents have the final say in whether or not the student should continue to
receive a particular level of service. Once a student is identified for advanced
academic services, they continue to receive services through grade 12.
The course registration at the middle school and high school levels, which
requires parent or guardian signature, constitutes permission for placement.
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology mails notification
of placement decisions.

and

School-based Services (Levels II and III)
Appeals for school-based services at the elementary level are submitted in writing to
the principal of the local school. The local schools notify parents and guardians in
writing of the local school decision.