This dissertation investigated teacher perceptions of the Advanced Academics Review and Referral process within a large urban school district. The study focused on the elementary level of implementation of the district process for identifying students for gifted education/advanced academic services. The study discloses gaps in teachers' understanding of giftedness and their preparedness to participate in the referral team process through interviews and document analysis. The research details the challenges of inconsistent implementation of the process and teacher biases all contributing to the inequities in gifted education identification. The findings emphasize the need for local educational agencies to explicitly define giftedness, teacher training and the expectations for educators regarding protocol implementation. The dissertation includes recommendations to ensure equitable access to gifted education through federal, state, and local policy changes, as well as professional development for educators. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]