Furlough and Exit

HPISD TAG Services Furlough Procedure

Purpose of a Furlough

A furlough provides a temporary pause in TAG services for students facing extenuating personal, academic, social, or emotional circumstances that impact their ability to fully participate in the TAG program. The intent is to offer time and support to resolve these issues without permanently exiting the student from gifted services.

This policy complies with the Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students, which allows districts to offer students a furlough as a temporary leave from gifted services while maintaining eligibility.

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Furlough Eligibility

Students may be considered for a furlough from TAG services for reasons including, but not limited to:

• Physical or mental health concerns

• Family or emotional stressors

• Academic challenges

• Social/peer conflicts (after 6 weeks in grades 2-8 courses and within 3 weeks of High School courses)

• Academic stress/workload (after 6 weeks in grades 2-8 courses and within 3 weeks of High School courses)

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Furlough Request Procedure

Step 1: Initial Concern Identified

• A concern about a student's participation in TAG services may be initiated by the student, parent/guardian, TAG teacher, or campus staff.

• The TAG teacher meets with the student to discuss challenges and co-develop a plan for support or improvement.

Step 2: Parent Conference

• The TAG teacher holds a conference with the parent(s)/guardian(s) to review the plan and discuss strategies to support the student’s continued participation.

• The student is given a reasonable amount of time to demonstrate improvement.

Step 3: Furlough Request Submitted

• If challenges persist, and a temporary removal is deemed appropriate, the parent or guardian must complete the HPISD TAG Furlough Request Form and submit it to the campus TAG coordinator.

Step 4: Campus Placement Committee Review

• The Campus Placement Committee reviews the student’s case, including:

  • Student performance and progress

  • Documentation of support strategies

  • Completed Furlough Request Form

• The committee may recommend:

  • Continuation in TAG with additional support

  • Temporary furlough for a specified duration (e.g., part of a semester, full semester, or full academic year)

Step 5: Documentation and Implementation

• If approved, furlough status is documented in the student’s TAG records (both electronic records and the student’s TAG folder).

• The student remains identified as gifted and is not exited from the program.

• The student’s schedule may be adjusted accordingly.

Step 6: Support During Furlough

• A plan is developed to support the student during the furlough period.

• Regular check-ins or progress reviews may be scheduled with a counselor or TAG staff to ensure readiness for return.

Step 7: Re-entry or Re-evaluation

• At the end of the furlough period, the Campus Placement Committee will review student readiness for re-entry into TAG services.

• If a student does not return to TAG services within two consecutive years, they must be re-evaluated for placement under current screening criteria.

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Important Notes

• A furlough is not an exit from the TAG program.

• Furlough decisions must be based on individual student needs and made with parent input.

• Documentation must be maintained throughout the furlough and re-entry process.

• A student may only be granted a furlough for a defined period, with a plan for support and follow-up.

Purpose of Exiting TAG Services

Exiting a student from TAG services is a formal process designed to ensure that any decision to remove a student from gifted education programming is made thoughtfully, collaboratively, and in the best interest of the student. This may occur due to:

• A parent/student request for permanent withdrawal from gifted services

• A student consistently demonstrating that the services are no longer appropriate for their educational needs, despite intervention and support

This process follows the guidance outlined in the Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students, which requires documented procedures for student exit and ensures equitable opportunities for continued support.

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Types of Exit

1. Voluntary Exit (Initiated by Parent or Student):

• A parent or secondary-level student may request an exit from the TAG program at any time.

• The request must be submitted using the HPISD TAG Exit Request Form.

• A meeting with the campus TAG Coordinator is held to review the request, discuss implications, and confirm the decision.

2. Committee-Initiated Exit:

• If a student consistently struggles to benefit from TAG services, despite targeted support and a furlough period (if applicable), the campus Gifted/Talented Placement Committee may consider initiating the exit process.

• This process must include documentation of:

  • Student performance concerns

  • Differentiation and accommodations attempted

  • Intervention or support plans

  • Communication with parents

  • Any furlough granted and the outcome

• A meeting with parents is required before finalizing an exit recommendation.

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Exit Procedure

Step 1: Identification of Need

• Student, parent, or staff identifies a concern about TAG placement.

• Student receives academic, social-emotional, or instructional support as appropriate.

Step 2: Furlough (if applicable)

• A furlough may be recommended before considering an exit.

• If the student remains unable or unwilling to re-engage in services following the furlough, the exit process may begin.

Step 3: Submission of Exit Request (if voluntary)

• Parent or student completes the HPISD TAG Exit Request Form and submits it to the campus TAG coordinator.

Step 4: TAG Placement Committee Meeting

• The campus GT Committee reviews student performance and any relevant documentation.

• A parent/guardian meeting is scheduled with the Campus Coordinator

• For secondary students, student input is required and will be documented.

• The committee either approves or denies the exit request, or recommends further support/intervention.

Step 5: Decision and Documentation

• If the exit is approved:

  • The decision is documented in the student’s GT records (electronic and physical file).

  • TAG services are discontinued beginning the following semester or at a designated transition point.

  • The student’s schedule is updated accordingly.

Step 6: Re-Entry Policy

• Students who have exited the TAG program must go through the full screening process to be considered for re-entry.

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Important Notes

• Students may not be exited from TAG services solely due to grades or behavior without documentation of differentiated instruction and support.

• All exits must be approved by the Campus Placement Committee.

• Parent consent is required for all formal exits from gifted services.

• Exited students no longer receive gifted services but may be served through general classroom differentiation as appropriate.