Appeals must be based upon one of the following conditions:

Specific criteria related to the testing conditions

Misapplication or miscalculation of the scores

The data collected for all Kindergarten and 5th grade students are part of the screening process. A team of highly qualified educators objectively reviews school performance data of all Kindergarten and 5th grade students to determine those who may benefit from specialized academic instruction.  The results are utilized to determine if there is a need for further testing and possible inclusion in advanced learning services.  Appeals will not be accepted for students under Step 1 – Data Review.  

Appeals must be based upon one of the two reasons listed to the left. If you believe one of these conditions applies to your child, you will need to submit an appeals form within ten days of receiving results. Illness will not be considered a valid reason for appeal.

BSD utilizes an equitable identification process, therefore private IQ test results will not be considered. 

Appeals are reviewed by an Appeals Committee that consists of the Department Administrator, Psychologist, and Teacher. All submitted documents are closely and carefully reviewed. Parents should not request information or recommendations be provided by the classroom teacher. The Appeals Committee will request teacher input, as needed. The Committee is looking for evidence that the results of the testing are not a true representation of the child’s abilities. The decision of the Appeals Committee is final.

Examples of Appeals

(These are typically documented by the proctors)

  • Fire alarm went off (or emergency evacuation) during testing
  • Power outage interfered with the testing process
  • Computer student tested on malfunctioned
  • Incorrect date of birth, grade, and/or name

Non-Examples of Appeals

  • External personal factors such as lack of sleep, hunger, family stress
  • Typical noise level are to be expected during group testing
  • Family, teacher, and/or student expectations do not align with the student’s scores
  • Student self-report of the testing experience does not align with the outcome (student says they don’t think they missed any questions)
  • Request recalculation of score(s) based only on the fact that the student’s score(s) did not meet qualifying threshold(s)
  • Child was ill at the time of testing
The Bellevue School District acknowledges that we learn, work, live and gather on the Indigenous Land of the Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Duwamish and Snoqualmie Tribes. We thank these caretakers of this land, who have lived and continue to live here, since time immemorial.