Hi zebras; how frustrating! Are you in a public or private school system? If public, there is likely a district policy and chain of command you can follow. If the policy includes a requirement such as "must demonstrate leadership in the classroom", you may be out of luck. But I've never seen a GT policy like that. I would start with a paper trail, if you don't already have your request and denials in writing. Email is fine. Then figure out who is above the people who gave denied your requests and put your advocacy hat on.
I was so shy in grade school; it would have been torture for me to speak up in class. But maybe you can ask your DD, as a limited time experiment, to share in class to see if that helps. Or, even better, ask her if she's willing to self advocate by talking to or writing a letter to the teacher asking to be placed in the GT classes because she desires the chance to be challenged. I would say courage to self advocate shows leadership.
