Highly Capable Program

**updated 6/6/24

Highly Capable Procedure and Program (HCP) Overview for White River School District 
The White River School District offers a continuum of services for the most highly capable students K-12. 

Kindergarten through 2nd-grade students' needs are met through differentiation and individualization in the general education classroom. In grades 3-8, the needs of highly capable students are met through enrichment programs during and after school: differentiated instruction in the general education classroom, subject and/or grade acceleration in their home school, and extension opportunities during and outside the school day. 

In addition, for grades 6-8, specific extension/instructional services are available during intervention/extension blocks during the school day. Faculty are assigned to support and assist identified students in their instructional program. 

In grades 9-12, White River High School meets the needs of students identified as highly capable through the following programs: 
- Honors Courses (9th and 10th Grade) 
- Pre-AP courses (9th and 10th Grade) and AP Courses (10th-12th Grade) 
- Pierce County Skills Center (11th and 12th Grade) and Running Start (11th and 12th Grade)  - Dual Credit classrooms 

Additionally, student schedules, course sequences, and learning opportunities are individually tailored to meet the specific needs of each highly capable student. Students also have many options for completing CTE pathways with capstone courses that are connected to their 5th-year plan. Students enrolled in the Running Start program also are able to earn their AA degree while completing their high school diploma. 

The goals of the HCP are to help students grow academically, intellectually, and socially/emotionally. Highly Capable students need opportunities to stretch their learning in ways that are different and beyond the general education classroom expectations. At the same time, there are Highly Capable students that have academic and social/emotional needs that will be addressed in school. Academic unit plans across all grade levels will document the progression of learning and extension opportunities so students can be stretched. Each student's learning will be closely monitored with the district assessment system. 

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 student's general intellectual aptitudes, specific academic abilities, and/or creative products 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 their chronological 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.

Referral Process 
Referrals are accepted based on evidence or data from teachers, other staff, parents, students, and members of the community. Those who are referring a student will use the district's referral form for consideration by the selection team. The referral process will be publicly communicated throughout the district in April each year. 

Screening 
The district will screen all second-grade students in the Spring of their second-grade school year. Screening results will determine which students qualify for the full battery examination taken later that same school year. Additionally, Smarter Balanced Assessment results are reviewed each year as an additional screener to identify students achieving at high levels who may not be receiving highly capable services. These students are encouraged to take the CogAT exam the following spring. 

Assessment 
The district will obtain written parental permission prior to conducting assessments to determine eligibility for participation in the Highly Capable Program (HCP). Students identified for further testing will be assessed using multiple objective criteria. All assessments will be assessed by trained White River School District instructional personnel. The assessment criteria include CoGAT7 (full battery or screener), standardized state assessments, district common assessments in reading and math, and benchmark assessments. In addition, teachers and parents may be asked to complete Highly Capable Scales and inventory surveys for additional information. Outside non-school assessments will not be considered. Similar norm-referenced assessments administered by other school districts may be considered for students new to White River.

Selection 
A multi-disciplinary selection committee will review the data that has been collected for each assessed student. The multi-disciplinary selection committee is composed of the following: 

• Special teacher - a teacher with specialized knowledge of HCP students, programming, curriculum, and instruction (such as a teacher who has taken gifted education coursework or current HC teacher). 
• Psychologists or other qualified practitioners with the training to interpret cognitive and achievement test results. 
• Certified coordinator/administrator with responsibility for the supervision of the district's HCP and may include school principals. 

The selection committee's decision for identifying students who are in need of Highly Capable Program services will be based on: 

1. The preponderance of the data collected demonstrates that the 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. 

Note: Single scores or indicators will not prevent a student's selection; however, individual pieces of evidence, if strong enough, can indicate that the student would benefit from services. If properly validated assessments are not available, the professional judgment of the qualified district personnel shall determine eligibility.

Notification 
The district will: 

1. Notify students and parents who have been selected, or do not qualify at this time. Parents will receive a full explanation of the procedures used to determine eligibility, an explanation of the appeals process, and options available to identified students; and 
2. Obtain parental permission to place identified students in the program before any special services and programs are provided to the student. 

Exit Process 
Participation in the WRSD Highly Capable program is voluntary - students who desire to exit the program may do so with written permission from their parent/guardian.