HiCap Selection Process

Screening:

The district will screen all students yearly using existing student data including STAR scores, state tests, graded reports etc.  All second grade students will be screened in their regular classroom using the CogAT 7 Screen. In addition parents, community members and teachers may refer a student.  Students may self-refer.  Parents and  students will be notified of the next steps in the identification process. 

Application and Assessment:

You can access the Hi Cap Student Referral Form here.

The district will obtain written parental permission prior to conducting further HiCap assessment to determine eligibility for participation in its Highly Capable Program (HCP).

Nominees identified for further assessment following 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 wide variety of sources and data, intended to reveal each nominee’s unique needs and capabilities. All assessments must be administered by the Lynden School District, or administered and certified by another school district. The assessment criterion consists of both qualitative and quantitative (the district may select one or both) instruments and may include the CoGAT 6,standardized state assessments, and district based common assessments / data. Students being assessed for the secondary highly capable programs may have additional assessments.

Selection:

The Multi-Disciplinary Selection Committee will review data that has been collected for each of the nominated students. The Committee will recommend students for further assessment. The Multi-Disciplinary Selection Committee is composed of: a special teacher (a teacher with experience in highly capable services, if a special teacher is not available then a special teacher will be appointed); a psychologist or other qualified practitioner with the training to interpret cognitive and achievement test results; a certificated coordinator or administrator with responsibility for the supervision of the district’s highly capable program; and additional professionals, if any, that the district deems desirable.

After all assessment is completed, the Multi-disciplinary Selection Committee will evaluate individual student assessment profile data using a blind (no name) process.

The district will:

1. Notify parents of the results of the Multi-Disciplinary Selection Committee’s review. Parents will receive an explanation of the appeal process, information on the district’s program and the options that are available to identified students, and an explanation of the procedures to exit a student from the program.
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; and
4. Conduct an annual parent meeting to review each student’s educational plan.

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. 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. Additional assessments in the appeal process must be initiated by the committee and administered by Lynden School District

The appeal request and supporting evidence must be submitted to the school Principal, within ten (10) school days of the Multi-Disciplinary Selection Committee’s decision notification.

The Appeals Committee will review the student’s file, assessment profile data, and additional evidence provided in the request for appeal. All submitted documents are closely and carefully reviewed. The Committee is looking for evidence that the results of the testing are not a true representation of the child’s abilities. The decision of the Appeals 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 Appeals Committee within ten (10) school days after receipt of written request for reconsideration. The parent/legal guardian will be notified of the decision in writing.

Exit Process:

Parent/student initiated:
A parent/legal guardian may request that the student be withdrawn or request a furlough from the program or a student may voluntarily withdraw or request a furlough 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 or temporarily furloughed from the program. Furloughed students may reenter the program at the beginning of the following school year. For exited students wishing to reenter the program, the Multi-disciplinary Selection Committee will determine if identification procedures are necessary to reenter the program in the future.

School/system initiated:
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 placement discontinuation. The school-based team will convene a meeting including the student and parent,  to review the student’s achievement, motivation and engagement. Reasonable attempts by the district, parent and student will be made to support student success. The school-based committee may request additional evidence of student’s 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 be exited from the program.The parent will be notified in writing of the committee’s decision and of the appeal process.