My sixth-grade son has been designated a Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) student since third grade. Last year his teacher recommended him for honors classes in middle school.

However, he was placed in regular classes. The administration says his fourth-grade standardized test scores should have been above 85% in both language arts and math for him to qualify now. That year his math score was in the low seventies, but last year it went up to the low nineties. His language arts scores have always been in the high nineties.

The school is being absolutely rigid about their criteria. How should we approach this issue, and with whom?

Once a GATE-funded district identifies a student as gifted, it must allow that student in the GATE program (unless either the student or his or her parent choose not to participate). In middle school, that means honors classes.

Because the local school district administers the GATE program, you need to call the district office and speak with the person in charge of the program. Explain that you understand your rights and that you want your son placed in honors classes.

Because the district staff may not want to step on the principal's toes, when you speak with the coordinator tell her you'd like to review the district's application for the GATE program. This is public information and you're entitled to know what's in it. It should spell out the district's criteria for accepting students into the honors program. My bet, however, is that the coordinator may set the school straight before you have to take that step.

If you continue to have problems, contact Sandra Frank at the California Department of Education. She monitors the GATE program statewide and can help answer your questions.