Gifted & Talented Furlough/Probation Policies at South O’Brien (Grades K-12)
A furlough is a temporary "leave of absence" from the Gifted/Talented Program designed to meet the individual needs of an identified student. The aim of a furlough is to support student success. A furlough does not indicate a permanent exiting of the program. Furloughs could be utilized for a variety of extenuating circumstances. Any student may be granted a furlough from the program for various issues such as over commitment, family concerns, serious illness, or any other circumstances that would inhibit or curtail the student's performance in the program. Anyone may request a furlough: parent, student, teacher, or administrator. Rationale:
Fail to receive a passing grade in any regular education course due to outside circumstances sick as illness.
Scheduling problems that prohibit enrollment in GT class(es).
Evidence indicates the student is over-extended mentally and physically.
Honors and leadership commitments require modified participation in the GT program.
A Furlough Letter indicating the action taken by the GT Teacher/Committee will be placed in the student’s GT file. The GT student will not attend designated GT class (es), but will be monitored by the GT teacher during the stated furlough period. A student may be furloughed for a period of time deemed appropriate by the Gifted/Talented Teacher/Committee. At the end of the furlough, the student's progress shall be reassessed, and the student may re-enter the Gifted/Talented program, be exited from the program, or be placed on another furlough. Furloughs are designed to be short-term and temporary and should never be used for an entire school year.
The GT Teacher/Committee will schedule a parent conference, if needed, upon termination of the furlough period to assess the student’s progress and to determine appropriate placement.
Gifted & Talented Exit Policies South O’Brien (Grades K-12)
The exit of a student in the gifted and talented program at South O'Brien may occur at the request of the GT student, GT teacher, Classroom Teacher and/or parent/guardian. If Exit from the SOS GT program is wanted an “EXIT LETTER” must be written by the individual asking for removal. (If the GT student is wanting to exited from the program their letter must accompany their signature along with a parent or guardian). All documentation must be given to the GT teacher within 30 days of the date placed on the exit letter. Once documentation is received the GT teacher will review the exit letter and see if removal form the SOS GT program can be granted. Exit letter must include student name, reason for leaving/removal for GT programming and signature of student/parent, or other authorized individual completing the exit documentation. Acceptable reasons for possible program exit include...
Unsatisfactory performance in GT education class(es)
Educational placement is no longer beneficial to the student.
Assessment at the end of probationary and/or furlough indicates the need for an alternative placement.
Student with parental permission chooses not to participate in the program.
Recommendation of teacher, counselor, GT teacher or other professional personnel.
When the reasons for exiting a student from the GT education program are received, the Gifted and Talented teacher will notify parents and students of any and all proposed actions. The GT teacher will facilitate a conference with the Administrator, GT Committee, parents, and student if necessary. A copy of the Exit Letter will be given and/or mailed, and the original will remain in the students GT file. This action does not keep the student from being nominated and qualifying in future selection sessions.