Referrals for testing for participation in the Sultan School District Highly Capable Program for the 2022-2023 school year are currently being accepted. These students will be tested this winter for inclusion next fall. Anyone may refer a student including parents, teachers, other staff, students, and members of the community.
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 their chronological 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.
More information and referral forms are available below. Copies of the forms are also available in your school’s attendance office.
All referrals must be returned to your school's counselor by December 9, 2022.
Se están aceptando referencias para la prueba de participación en el Programa del Distrito Escolar de Sultan para Estudiantes Dotados (de capaz alta, “Highly Capable”) para el año escolar 2022-2023. Estos estudiantes serán evaluados este invierno para su inclusión el próximo otoño. Cualquier persona puede referir a un estudiante incluyendo padres, maestros, otro personal, estudiantes, y miembros de la comunidad.
Los estudiantes que son altamente capaces pueden poseer, pero no se limitan a, estas características de aprendizaje:
- Capacidad para aprender con una profundidad inusual de comprensión, retener lo aprendido y transferir el aprendizaje a nuevas situaciones;
- Capacidad y disposición para tratar con niveles crecientes de abstracción y complejidad antes que sus pares cronológicos;
- Capacidad creativa de hacer conexiones inusuales entre ideas y conceptos;
- Capacidad para aprender rápidamente en su (s) área (s) de fuerza intelectual; y
- Capacidad para concentración intensa y / o enfoque.
Más información y formularios de referencia se encuentran a continuación. Copias de los formularios también están disponibles en la oficina de asistencia de su escuela.
Todas las referencias deben ser devueltas al consejero de su escuela antes 9 de Diciembre de 2022.
Program Information:
Sultan School District offers a Highly Capable Program for students in grades K-12. Identified Kindergarten through 5th grade students will be provided instructional options that meet their specific needs at both elementary schools.
Middle school students: Accelerated students in ELA as well as 6th grade Math Students will be served through Universally Designed Classrooms. 7th and 8th grade accelerated students will be served in accelerated math courses.
High school students will be offered a number of diverse options, which may include Honors or AP courses.
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 their chronological 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.
Referral Forms:
Click the link to download
Referral Form: English
Referral Form: Spanish
IDENTIFICATION PROCESS
Students are referred for highly capable services through either review of district data or through observations. Once referred via observation or data, students will proceed to the assessment phase of the identification process. The outcome of the assessment phase will be selection or non-selection of students for program services.
Tentative Timeline for Highly Capable 2022-2023
October 10 -- Nomination
and referral process opens for teachers and parents
November 2 -4 -- Referral information given at conferences
December 79-- Deadline
for referrals and nominations
January 9 - March 24 -- Screening,
testing, make-ups
March/ April -- Compile
scores, review data
April -- Stakeholder/Selection Committee
meets (1-2 times)during this time to review data
May -- Letters home and any appeals during this time
REFERRAL BY OBSERVATION
Referrals are permitted and accepted based on documented evidence from teachers, other staff, parents, students, and members of the community. The referring party will use the district's referral form to refer a student to be further assessed for possible qualification for program services.
REFERRAL BY DATA
The district will periodically review available district-wide academic assessment data in order to locate the district's most academically accomplished students. Periodically, the aptitude of all students in 3rd grade will be measured using the Cognitive Abilities Test Screener 7 in order to locate students with the highest measured cognitive ability. Students found to be among the district's most highly capable in achievement or aptitude will be referred for further assessment.
ASSESSMENT
The district will obtain written parental permission (WAC 392-170-047) prior to conducting assessments to determine eligibility for participation in its Highly Capable Program (HCP).
Students referred for further assessment as an outcome of the screening process, will be assessed using multiple objective criteria. The assessment process shall be based upon a review of multiple criteria intended to reveal each referred student's unique needs and capabilities. The assessment criterion shall consist of both qualitative and quantitative instruments that may include instruments such as:
- Test of cognitive ability such as the Cogat-7 Screener....
- Academic measures such as i-Ready assessments, SBA, DRA, BAS, and classroom work samples.
- Observation plus evidence from educators using a research-based Teacher Rating Scale...
- Observations plus evidence from Parents and Community Members....
- Awards and Accomplishments....
- Interviews....
Assessment scores and identification decisions will be recorded on the student's Profile of Strength. The Profile of Strength will be shared with the parents of the student and a copy will also be placed in the student's cumulative file.
Selection
The multi-disciplinary selection committee will evaluate individual student assessment profile data. This committee shall be comprised 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 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. The selection decision is 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 program.
The selection process consists of a holistic review of all available information about the student. The professional judgment of the qualified district personnel shall determine eligibility of the student based upon evidence of cognitive ability and/or academic achievement.
Once a determination has been made, the district will provide written confirmation of the committee's decision along with an explanation of the procedures for identification, appeal, and exit.
If a student is found to be eligible, written permission will be obtained from parents/guardians before providing services. If a student is found ineligible, that student may be referred again during another school year.
If you feel that you know a student or have a child who may fit the above listed criteria please fill out the referral form in its entirety. This form is available on the district website, each school's website, or may be picked up in your child's school or at the District Office. Referral forms can be submitted to your child's school counselor, the district office, or mailed to the following address:
Sultan School District
Highly Capable Program
514 4th Street
Sultan, WA 98294
For questions regarding the Highly Capable Program, please contact our Highly Capable Coordinator:
Michael Merrin
(360) 793-9801 ext. 1046| [email protected]