Students will be identified through multiple measures. Those initially identified through the screening process will be further looked at by the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) through:

• Fall & winter STAR assessments
• District Assessments and the CogAT
• Teacher input/report card
• Parent input

In the spring of each year, the students in these grades will be screened using STAR reading and math academic assessment scores from the September, November, and February testing windows. Students who score an average of 90% or higher in both reading and math will be invited to take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) test. Those scoring 90% or higher in reading and math on the CogAT will receive further consideration by the MDT using information from multiple measures.

• STAR assessment data/CogAT/SBA (when applicable)
• Teacher input and report cards
• Additional assessment data
• Teacher and Parent input on a Scale of Creativity

In the spring of each year, students in grades 6th - 8th will be screened using STAR reading and math scores to identify those students who qualify for English Language Arts Honors Classes or Advanced Math placement for the following year. After the initial screening, the MDT will consider additional information such as:

• STAR assessment data/CogAT/SBA (when applicable)
• Teacher input and report cards
• Additional assessment data
• Teacher and Parent input on a Scale of Creativity

In the spring of each year, all 8th and 9th grade students will be screened using the STAR reading scores for placement into English Language Arts Honors classes. Students already in ELA Honors classes will continue the next year.

• STAR assessment data/CogAT/SBA (when applicable)
• Teacher input and report cards
• Additional assessment data
• Teacher and Parent input on a Scale of Creativity

Identification procedures are conducted in accordance with state law and district policy, and include standardized assessments of ability, achievement, and creativity. All students who meet the screening criteria will be offered an opportunity to be assessed for possible inclusion in the Highly Capable Program.

Step One – Referrals and Screening

• The Director of Teaching and Learning or designee will collect available standardized testing data (e.g. STAR, SBA) and create a list of students who meet the screening criteria and are eligible for assessment.
• Parents, teachers, and community members may refer students. Referrals will be screened to determine eligibility for assessment.

Step Two – Parent Consent

• For students who are eligible for assessment, consent for assessment will be requested from parents.

Step Three – Assessment

• Assessment will take place in each building during the regular school day.
• Classroom teachers may be asked to supply examples of curriculum-based assessments and student work samples.
• Classroom observations of referred students may take place.

Step Four – Selection and Notification

• The Multi-Discipline Team (MDT) will make decisions regarding the eligibility of students for services. The MDT team is often made up of a school psychologist, a counselor, a special education/resource room teacher, and a district administrator.
• Results of the MDT are mailed home to parents and communicated to teachers and building principals.
• Parents sign and return Consent for Placement form.

APPEALS

Parents or guardians may appeal the decision of the MDT in writing to the Director of Teaching and Learning within five days of notification of the decision. The written appeal request and previous assessment information will be reviewed by an appeals committee. This committee will be appointed by the superintendent or the superintendent’s designee. The committee will decide to place the student in the program or to deny placement of the student in the program. The committee may request additional assessments or other information prior to deciding. Parents will be informed in writing of the final decision. The decision of the appeals committee is final.

Once identified for the Highly Capable Program, students shall remain eligible for program services from kindergarten (or the grade of entry) through grade 12. Students may be withdrawn under the conditions explained below:

MULTI–DISCIPLINARY TEAM

Students may be exited from the program if parents have opted to place their highly capable students in non-designated classrooms. The Director of Teaching and Learning will notify relevant staff and the building principal.

STUDENTS

Student may voluntarily exit the program with parental consent. Written parental consent to withdraw the student from program services must be sent to the Director of Teaching and Learning.

PARENTS

Parents may withdraw their child from services at any time with written notification to the Director of Teaching and Learning.

TEACHER

If a student is refusing to participate in the accelerated and enhanced learning opportunities planned for them, then the following steps will be initiated:

1. The teacher will investigate possible reasons why the student may be unwilling to participate, considering such factors as medical issues, unidentified learning disabilities, and motivation. The teacher will suggest referrals as needed, meet with the previous or current teachers of the student to obtain ideas, and otherwise seek support and advice.
2. Should the difficulty continue, the teacher, student and parent shall meet to discuss the perceived barriers to the student’s success in the program. A collaborative plan of assistance will be generated because of this meeting and dates shall be set for future communication regarding the plan’s effective implementation.
3. If the student continues to be unwilling to participate in accelerated or enhanced learning opportunities after the plan of assistance is implemented, then the teacher will notify the Director of Teaching and Learning. The student shall then be exited from the program.
4. The parent and the student shall be informed in writing of the student’s withdrawal from the program services by the director. Appeals of this decision may be made to the Superintendent within 5 days of receiving notice of this decision.