Policy 2190P

Definition
Highly capable (HiCap) 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 student’s general intellectual aptitudes, specific academic abilities, unique leadership capacity and/or creative productivities within a specific domain.

These students are present not only in the general populace, but are present within all protected classes. Students who are highly capable may possess, but are not limited to, these learning characteristics:

1. Capacity to learn with unusual depth of understanding, to retain what has been learned, and to transfer learning to new situations;
2. Capacity and willingness to deal with increasing levels of abstraction and complexity earlier than other peers;
3. Creative ability to make unusual connections among ideas and concepts;
4. Ability to learn quickly in their area(s) of intellectual strength; and
5. Capacity for intense concentration and/or focus.

The following procedures will be employed to nominate, assess and select students to participate in the program:

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 in the program.

Screening
The district will screen each nominee to identify students who qualify for further assessment. Screening criteria may be obtained at your child’s school.

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 criteria. The assessment process shall be based upon a review of each nominee’s capability as shown by multiple criteria, from a variety of sources and data, intended to reveal each nominee’s unique needs and capabilities.

Test results will be recorded in the student’s cumulative file.

Selection

A multidisciplinary selection team will interpret cognitive and achievement test results and review data that has been collected for each of the nominated students.

The multidisciplinary selection committee will evaluate individual student assessment profile data and make the selection decision based on:

1. A preponderance of evidence from the profile data demonstrating that a student is among the most highly capable;
2. Evidence of clear need for highly capable services; and
3. 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 properly validated test are not available, the professional judgment of the qualified district personnel shall determine eligibility of the student based upon evidence of cognitive and/or academic achievement.

The district will:

1. Notify parents of students who have been selected. Parents will receive an explanation of the procedures for identification, an explanation of the process to exit a student from the program, the information on the district’s program and the options that are available to identified students.
2. Obtain parental permission to place identified students in the program before any special services and programs are provided to the student.
3. Schedule a meeting of all such parents when deemed necessary; and
4. Periodically review services for each student to ensure that the services are appropriate.

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 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 building administrator within five (5) school days of the multidisciplinary selection committee’s decision notification.

The multidisciplinary selection committee will review the student’s file, assessment profile data, and additional evidence provided in the request for appeal.

The decision of the appeals/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 by the multidisciplinary selection committee within 10 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 multidisciplinary selection committee is final decision may be appealed to the Director of Teaching & Learning.

Exit Process

The exit process may be initiated for students who no longer demonstrate a need for highly capable program services. A request may be made by a teacher or program administrator for highly capable student identification and placement discontinuation. The multidisciplinary 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 multidisciplinary 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 may voluntarily withdraw 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 the student from the program, the student will be exited from the program. The multidisciplinary selection committee will determine if identification procedures are necessary for students wishing to re-enter the program in the future.

Program Design

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 proved to identified 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 regularly for each student to ensure that the services are appropriate.

The district will offer a variety of highly capable programs, which may include, but are not limited to:  various accelerated learning opportunities; academic grouping arrangements that provide intellectual and interest peer group interactions; cooperative agreements between K-12 and institutions of higher education and programs designed to share resources and facilities to maximize student learning and mentorships and career exploration.

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).

 

 

La Center School District Adopted: June 26th, 2007, Updated November 14th, 2016