It goes without saying that schools must keep meticulous records for students who go through the gifted identification process, just as they would for students who are connected to other specialized programs such as special education or English Learner programs (though, admittedly, those two programs are federally mandated, whereas gifted programs are only state mandated). Each state has different regulations of the types of records that must be kept in students’ cumulative files (whether paper-based or electronic), and for how long those records must be kept. In addition to state regulation, each school division in the state might include additional requirements that are important to the division. Finally, in addition to division requirements, gifted programs might have even further record-keeping protocols that they require. Accurate student records ensure that schools have the correct chronology of student events, and that if a student ever moves, their new school will be able to know a lot about the student right away and provide the appropriate services for the student in a timely manner.
In my school division, all parts of the gifted identification process must be documented on an official Student Profile Sheet, and that original sheet with committee member signatures, a signed Determination Letter, Parent Permission Forms, and any Appeals letters must all be kept in the student’s cumulative school file in the school’s front office records vault. The cumulative file follows the student through graduation, ensuring that his or her gifted records remain accessible if ever needed by the school or the parents. Does your school division require similar gifted program records to be kept? If so, please let us know in the comments!
Teaching for Talent 