Withdrawal Procedures

PRIOR TO ANY FURLOUGH OR WITHDRAWAL REQUEST, A CONFERENCE BETWEEN PARENT/GUARDIAN, GIFTED SPECIALIST, AND STUDENT MUST BE HELD.

School Requested

Once students are identified for the Gifted and Talented Program or the Gifted Fine Arts Program, the Webster Groves School District staff makes a commitment to work with them for success.  However, students may, occasionally, not be performing in accordance with the standards established for the Gifted and Talented Program or the Gifted Fine Arts Program, even with the help of the staff.  These students are placed on probation.  Students will be allowed to continue participation in the Gifted and Talented Program or the Gifted Fine Arts Program as long as they are making positive contributions to the program, working with others in a spirit of cooperation, acting in a responsible manner while participating in the program and maintaining appropriate levels of achievement in the regular education program.  Students who consistently perform below expected standards will be withdrawn and placed in appropriate classes.  Withdrawal of students from the Gifted and Talented Program or the Gifted Fine Arts Program will be based on multiple criteria, including student performance in the program and what is determined to be in the best interest of the student.

Withdrawal requests are reviewed and considered through the building Care Team process.   In order for a student to be placed on probation or withdrawn from the Gifted and Talented Program or the Gifted Fine Arts Program, the following process must be followed.

Withdrawal Process (Grades 1 - 12)

• A formal conference is held between parent, gifted specialist, and student.
• Concern is voiced by a parent/guardian, student, teacher, counselor or administrator.  A Withdrawal Request Form is completed by the person making the withdrawal request and submitted to the gifted specialist or to the building principal.  (See Withdrawal Request Form.)
• Information to complete the Withdrawal Information Form is gathered by the building gifted specialist.  (See Withdrawal Information Form.)
• Principal or gifted specialist schedules a Care Team meeting for the student.  Gifted coordinator, building gifted specialist, and current teacher(s) are included in the Care Team meeting.
• The building Care Team may decide:

a. That a plan for improvement and probationary process be developed. (See Gifted and Talented Growth Plan Form.)
b. That a furlough (limited to the current school year) be granted with Gifted and Talented Growth Plan for addressing needs in the regular education program. (See Gifted and Talented Growth Plan Form.)
c. To initiate a formal withdrawal from the program. A plan to provide continued support to the student in his/her regular education program is developed.

• Parents/guardians are contacted by the building gifted specialist regarding the outcome of the Care Team meeting.
• If a plan for improvement is developed, the gifted specialist monitors progress and records progress on the improvement plan. (See Gifted Growth Plan Progress Record.) If progress is made no additional meetings are needed.  If progress is not made a building Care Team meeting is again initiated.
• Appeals are made to the gifted coordinator.

Should a student be withdrawn from either program, exiting should be accomplished in such a manner as to avoid adding undue pressure to the student or parent/guardian without prejudice. 

Students who are withdrawn from either program will remain eligible for participation at a later date.  The student must qualify under the current matrix criteria to support that the student is being placed in appropriate programming.  An appropriate time for entry will be determined by the gifted coordinator.  A formal request to re-enter the program must be completed and approved before a student can re-enter either program. Parents/guardians will be notified and consulted regarding their child's re-entry to the program. (See Re-entry Procedures and Re-entry Form.) 

Parent/Guardian Request to Withdraw from Program

The parent/guardian of a gifted and talented student may request that his or her child be withdrawn from the Gifted and Talented Program or the Gifted Fine Arts Program at any time.  This request should come in writing to the gifted specialist in that school or to the building principal.  (See Withdrawal Request Form.)

While parents/guardians may withdraw a student from the program at any time, withdrawals, other than furlough requests, are considered formal exits from the program with re-entry only after consultation with the gifted coordinator's office.