The Washougal School District’s Highly Capable Program’s mission is to provide a support network for students and educators and to identify services that will enhance current curriculum and procedures.
Highly Capable Procedures
Highly capable students are students who perform or show potential for performing at significantly advanced academic levels when compared with others of their age, experiences or environments. Outstanding abilities are seen within students’ general intellectual aptitudes, specific academic abilities, and/or creative within a specific domain.
Students who are highly capable may possess, but are not limited to, these learning characteristics:
- Capacity to learn with unusual depth of understanding, to retain what has been learned and to transfer learning to new situations;
- Capacity and willingness to deal with increasing levels of abstraction and complexity earlier than other peers;
- Creative ability to make unusual connections among ideas and concepts;
- Ability to learn quickly in their area(s) of intellectual strength; and
- Capacity for intense concentration and/or focus.
The following procedures will be employed to nominate, assess and select students to participate in the program: RCW 392-17-035
Nomination
Referrals are permitted and accepted based on data or evidence from teachers, other staff, parents, students and members of the community. Nominators will use the district’s nomination form to refer a student to be considered for admission to the program.
Online Nomination Form will be available the first day of school through October 31, any given year. The highly capable program coordinator will collect the information for the multiple disciplinary selection committee (MDSC). The committee will review all nominations in a blind (no name) selection process early spring any given year.
The Washougal School District will consider all nominations of students, grades K-12, enrolled within the school district. A submission of nomination will not entitle any one student the right to be identified or tested for district programs/services
Each year the district website will provide the most current information on testing dates and other important program dates.
The Washougal School District’s Multiple Disciplinary Selection Committee encourages submission of a nomination prior to the deadline. However, the Washougal School District will accept ongoing nominations throughout the year to be reviewed the following year.
Screening
The district will screen each nominee to identify students who qualify for further assessment. Screening criteria may include the following:
- District benchmark assessments
- State outcome assessment
- Other district assessments (i.e., NNAT3, PSAT, SAT, ACT)
- Student portfolio
- Districtwide Kg (grade) N
Assessment
The district will obtain written parental permission prior to conducting assessments to determine eligibility for participation in its Highly Capable Program (HCP).
Nominees identified for further testing through the screening process will be assessed using multiple objective criteria. The assessment process shall be based on a review of each nominee’s capability as shown by multiple criteria, from a wide variety of sources and data, intended to reveal each nominee’s unique needs and capabilities. The assessment criterion consists of both qualitative and quantitative instruments and may include:
- Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test 3 (NNAT3)
- CogAT Form 7
- Teachers Rating Scales
- Teachers Input Form
- Parents Rating Scales
- Student work samples
- Student portfolio
Test results will be recorded in the student’s cumulative file.
Selection
The multi-disciplinary selection committee is composed of; A special teacher (provided that if a special teacher is not available, a classroom teacher shall be appointed); a psychologist or other qualified practitioner with the training to interpret cognitive and achievement test results; a certified coordinator or administrator with the responsibility for the supervision of the district’s highly capable program; and additional professionals if any, that the district deems desirable.
The multi-disciplinary selection committee will evaluate individual student assessment profile data using a blind (no name) process and make the selection decision based on:
- A preponderance of evidence from the profile data demonstrating that a student is among the most highly capable;
- Evidence of clear need for highly capable services; and
- Determination of which students would benefit the most from inclusion in the district’s program.
A single assessment score or indicator will not prevent a student’s selection for the HCP; however, individual pieces of evidence, if strong enough, can indicate that the student would benefit from these services. If a properly validated test is not available, the professional judgment of the qualified district personnel shall determine the eligibility of the student based upon evidence of cognitive and/or academic achievement.
The district will obtain parental permission in writing before:
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- Conducting assessment(s) to determine eligibility for participation in programs for highly capable students;
- Placement in the district’s highly capable program before any special services and programs are started for an identified highly capable student;
Parental permission notice shall include:
(a) A full explanation of the procedures for identification of a student for entrance into the highly capable program;
(b) An explanation of the appeal’s process;
(c) An explanation of the procedures to exit a student from the program; and
(d) Information on the district’s program and the options that will be available to identified students.
Process for Appeal
Parents/legal guardians have the right to appeal the Multi-Disciplinary Selection Committee’s decision. Individuals appealing the selection committee’s decision must submit a completed appeals form or letter requesting a review of selection/placement decision. The written request must include reasons for the appeal and, to support reconsideration, provide additional evidence of significantly advanced cognitive or academic levels and/or outstanding intellectual, academic, or creative abilities.
The appeal request and supporting evidence must be submitted to the Highly Capable Program Coordinator; 4855 Evergreen Way, Washougal, WA, 98671, within ten (10) school days of the Multi-Disciplinary Selection Committee’s decision notification.
The district’s appeals committee composed of an administrator from the district office and Multidisciplinary Selection Committee Members will review the student’s file, assessment profile data, and additional evidence provided in the request for appeal.
The decision of the Multidisciplinary Selection Committee may include:
- Upholding the original decision of the Multidisciplinary Selection Committee;
- Reversing the decision of the Multidisciplinary Selection Committee;
A decision will be made within thirty(30) school days after receipt of written request for reconsideration. The parent/legal guardian will be notified of the decision in writing. The decision of the Appeals Committee is final.
Exit Process
The exit process may be initiated for students who no longer demonstrate a need for highly capable program services. A teacher, program administrator or others may make the request for placement discontinuation. The Multi-Disciplinary Selection Committee will convene a meeting to review the student’s profile to determine if the student qualifies for program services based on assessment data and selection criteria. The multi-disciplinary selection committee may request additional evidence of student capabilities and/or willingness to participate in the program. If the committee determines that the student no longer qualifies for highly capable program services, it may be recommended that the student exited from the program. The parent will be notified in writing of the committee’s decision and of the appeal’s process.
A parent/legal guardian may request that the student be withdrawn from the program, or a student 18 years or older may request to withdraw themself from the program. A meeting will be convened by the highly capable program coordinator/director to discuss the request. If the parent/legal guardian desires to withdraw a student from the program, the student will be exited from the program on the date parents/guardian signed program exit form. If a student withdraws from the program, the student must complete the nomination process again.
The district will make a variety of appropriate program services to students who participate in the program. Once services are started, a continuum of services will be provided to identify students in grades K-12. The district will keep on file a description of the educational programs provided for identified students. The district reviews services at least annually for each student to ensure that the services are appropriate.
Reporting
Identified students will be assigned the appropriate CEDARS Gifted value(s) in the district’s student information system for the end-of-year reporting activities.
The superintendent or designee will provide an end-of-the-year report to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), which includes:
- Number of students served by grade level K-12
- Student demographic information
- Survey to parents to determine if students who are highly capable met the goals set and if the programs provided met the academic needs of these students;
- Number and content of professional development activities provided for special teachers and general education staff;
- Program evaluation data and, if needed, program changes that will be made based upon this information; and
- Final Fiscal report that reports on activities and staff funded by this program.
Legal References: RCW 28A.185.030 WAC 392-170
Programs — Authority of local school districts — Selection of students
Special service program — Highly capable students
WSD Policy No. 2190 & Procedure 2190P
Transferring Students:
Highly Capable (Gifted/Talented) Students Grades K-12 transferring into the district will need to provide official gifted placement records to the district for verification by the Washougal School District (WSD) highly capable program coordinator. Transferring records must meet WSD qualifying factors before a transferring student will be classified as a highly capable learner within the district.
Testing for transferring students: If the transferring school cannot provide official enrollment documentation or cognitive testing that shows exceptional/advanced abilities. The transferring student will need to go through the district’s open nomination process just as any other potential student would.
Required transferring records:
- Official enrollment documents for a gifted program provided by transferring school or
- A third party official assessment or documentation of exceptional/advanced cognitive abilities
Submission of optional records:
Student portfolio may also be presented along with official documentation to the WSD Highly Capable Program Coordinator: 4855 Evergreen Way, Washougal, WA. 98671
Disclosure non-return of records:
Submission of portfolio work cannot be returned.
Reference Chapter 28A.185.020 RCW: Access to accelerated learning and enhanced instruction through the program for highly capable students does not constitute an individual entitlement for any particular student.
Legal References: RCW 28A.185.030 WAC 392-170
Programs — Authority of local school districts — Selection of students
Special service program — Highly capable students
Resources for Highly Capable Students and Families
Elementary (grades K-5) Resources
Elementary school teachers may use various modification tools and strategies to provide appropriate content challenge and instructional pacing.
Teachers differentiate curriculum to fit the readiness of their gifted learners.
For more information:
Highly Capable Program Coordinator, District Office, (360) 954-3662.
Secondary (grades 6-12) Resources
All interested parents, community members and staff are invited to contact their child’s counselor, who can provide more information about the program and connect students with resources through our Highly Capable program.