Highly Capable Programs
The following procedures shall be employed to nominate, assess and select students to participate in the program:
Nomination
Anyone may nominate a child to the program, including teachers, other staff, parents, students, and members of the community. Nomination forms are available to any individual wishing to recommend a child for consideration for the program.
Screening and Assessment
The district will universally screen students in the grade level that precedes program availability. This will be accomplished by assessing all students for cognitive ability using the identified test.
The district will screen each nominee using MAP (Measurement of Academic Progress) and state assessment results as well as nomination forms and teacher checklists of characteristics of highly capable students to identify students who qualify for further assessment.
Prior to conducting the assessment(s) the principal shall obtain written parental permission.
Nominees identified through the screening process will be assessed using multiple criteria from a variety of sources and data, including tests that measure cognitive ability, academic achievement and evidence of exceptional creativity. Test results shall be recorded in the student’s cumulative file.
Selection
A multi-disciplinary selection team composed of a district administrator, principal, psychologist or other individual who can interpret cognitive and achievement test results and teacher representatives will review data that has been collected for each of the nominated students. This team will consider multiple criteria and data sets to identify students to participate in the program. The district will:
A. Notify parents of all students who were assessed as to whether they were selected. Parents shall receive a full explanation of the procedures for identification, program options and the appeals process;
B. Obtain parental permission to provide services and programs;
C. Schedule a meeting of all such parents; and
D. Conduct an annual parent meeting to review each student’s educational plan.
Program Design
The District will offer highly capable students the following programs through implementation of the school wide cluster grouping model: accelerated learning opportunities; compacting; extensions; academic grouping arrangements that provide intellectual and interest peer group interactions; and career exploration.
Each individual student or group of students with similar needs shall have a program plan. Services will be made available based on that plan and include a continuum of services.
Reporting
The superintendent or designee shall provide an end-of-year report to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).
Initially Adopted: February 25, 2013