Highly Capable

Purpose & Program

The mission of the Monroe School District Highly Capable Program is to identify and serve highly capable K­12 students by providing a consistent, challenging and supportive educational environment within the resources of the district. We address the significantly higher learning needs of highly capable students through a continuum of service models that span from Kindergarten through 12th grade. We provide instruction, activities, and services that accelerate learning, and offer a unique academic challenge for young learners identified as highly capable. While the program offerings vary depending on the grade level of the student, the intent is to help students explore learning through enhanced activities that target their unique skills and abilities.

When a student is eligible for highly capable services (see Screening Process below), they are identified as highly capable once families grant permission. The student will keep that identification throughout their time in the district, no matter what type of program with which the student is enrolled (e.g., Montessori, Dual Language, Excel, etc.).

A highly capable student will receive services based on the options below.

Model

Description

 Grades 
Cluster Model Three-five highly capable students are grouped together in a general education classroom where the teacher differentiates the content, process, or product based on readiness, learning style, and interest.  1-8
Excel Program* Self-contained classroom(s) that serve the highest performing highly capable students in 4th and 5th grade.  4-5
Student Choice High school students have opportunities to enroll in classes that match their readiness and interest, such as AP courses, Running Start, Honors, College in the High School.  9-12

*The Excel Program is located at Salem Woods Elementary and transportation is provided for those families accepting placement from a designated location within their home school boundaries. Every spring, Monroe School District’s Multidisciplinary Selection Committee will review data from all the district’s 3rd and 4th grade highly capable students to determine who will be offered enrollment in the Excel Program. Highly capable identification does not guarantee enrollment in Excel. All 4th and 5th graders not offered enrollment in the Excel program will be placed in a highly capable cluster in a general education classroom.

Definition of a Highly Capable Student

As defined by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), highly capable students are those 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 students' general intellectual aptitudes, specific academic abilities, and/or creative productivity within a specific domain. Learn more about the characteristics of a highly capable student HERE.

Screening Process

Annually, the following steps are taken to screen Monroe School District students for highly capable eligibility:

Universal Screening: 

  • It is required by law.
  • All second and fourth grade students are administered the Cognitive Abilities Assessment Screener (CogAT).
  • If the student passes the CogAT Screener, permission is needed for the student to take the CogAT Post Screener.

Screened by Referral:

  • A teacher, parent, student or staff member can refer any student in grades K-1, 3, 5-7 to be screened.
  • Referred students are administered the Cognitive Abilities Assessment Screener (CogAT).
  • If the student passes the CogAT Screener, they will take the CogAT Post-Screener.

Please refer to the timeline below.

Services Offered, Depending on District Placement

Elementary Level

  • Cluster Model 
    • Highly Capable students are served in the general education classes with the cluster model. 
    • The cluster model is 3-5 highly capable students in a general education class. 
    • The teacher differentiates lessons, assignments, and projects based on student readiness, interest, and learning profile.
  • Excel Program - By Invitation Only*
    • Highly capable may be selected by the Multidisciplinary Selection Committee to enroll in the self-contained Highly Capable classroom, Excel, at Salem Woods Elementary. 
    • This classroom serves the highest performing highly capable students in 4th and 5th grade. 
    • The math and reading curriculum is accelerated and the teacher differentiates lessons, assignments, and projects based on student readiness, interest, and learning profile. 
  • Students are notified of any after-school enrichment activities.

*If students are not given the choice to enroll in the Excel Program, they will be served under the Cluster Model.

Middle Level

  • Cluster Model
    • Highly Capable students are served in the general education classes with the cluster model. 
    • The cluster model is 3-5 highly capable students in a general education class. 
    • The teacher differentiates lessons, assignments, and projects based on student readiness, interest, and learning profile.
  • Students are notified of any after-school enrichment activities.

High School

  • Student Choice: 
    • School staff work to channel Hi Cap students into the advanced course offerings, such as Honors, College in the High School, AP Classes, Running Start, and Sno-Isle Skills Center. 
    • It is not required to be Hi Cap to take advanced course offerings.
  • Students are notified of any after-school enrichment activities.

Resources

Timeline for the 2023-2024 Screening & Identification Process

Referral Window

October 10 - 24

  • Referral window is October 10 - 24 for current Monroe students in grades K, 1, 3, 5-7. Referral Forms will be in Family Access beginning on October 10, 2023.
     

  • A referral triggers the screening process and a review of the data.

  • Students in grades 2 and 4 do not need a referral, they are universally screened.

  • Referral forms: English / Spanish

Data Survey & Parent Permission

Fall 2023
  • Learning & Teaching Department compiles most recent data from the district/state assessments (STAR, Interim assessment, Fountas & Pinnell, evaluations, Smarter Balance Assessment, etc.) to identify students for possible screening as well as data for the Highly Capable Multidisciplinary Selection Committee.

CogAT Screener

 October 30 - November 15
  • The first portion of the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) screener is given to all 2nd and 4th grade students and any referred students in grades K, 1, 3, 5-7.

Notification of Screener Results

 November 22
  • Parents receive notification of the results via ParentSquare and email.

Permission Needed from 2nd & 4th Grade Families to Continue Testing

 November 27 The notification for the universally screened 2nd and 4th graders who pass the CogAT Screener will include “Permission to Continue Testing”, requiring a parent/guardian signature on Family Access. This is due November 27, 2023.

Post-Screener

 November 28 - December 14
  • The CogAT Post-Screener is administered to those students who performed in the top ~10% of their student group on the CogAt Screener.

Data Review

 January
  • The district's Highly Capable Multidisciplinary Selection Committee reviews data for all 2nd and 4th grade and referred students who took the Post-Screener.
  • The committee determines highly capable eligibility. 

Notification of Post-Screener Results

 January 19
  • Parents receive notification of CogAT results and eligibility for program services via ParentSquare and email. If eligible, notification in May will outline recommended services & require parent permission.
  • Appeals process is outlined within this notification.

Appeals Window

 January 19 - 29
  • Parent/Guardian submits a written appeal to the decision made by HCMSC. 
  • Appeal data processed; additional assessment administered as needed.
  • The committee's final decision will be sent in writing to the person filing the appeal. If a student is determined to be eligible via appeal, a letter and request for consent will be sent to the parent/guardian before end of March*. 

Data Review #2

 Early February
  • The district's Highly Capable Multidisciplinary Selection Committee determines services/placement of eligible students for the 2024-25 school year.

Notification of Recommended Services

 Late February
  • Parents receive notification of recommended services/placement via ParentSquare and email.
  • The form "Permission to Receive Highly Capable Services" can be found on Family Access. A student is not considered highly capable until we have permission from the parent/guardian.

Deadline to Accept Services for 2024-2025

 March 8
  • The "Permission to Receive Highly Capable Services" form should be completed on Family Access by March 8.

School-Based Placement

 April
  • Updated Hi-Cap school rosters are provided to building administrators for placement consideration of the 2024-25 school year.

*exact dates, TBD

highly capable program qualification process

For more information, read the: Highly Capable Program Parent Handbook

If you have questions, please contact:

Chris Cronas 

Director of Categorical Programs
cronasc@monroe.wednet.edu
(360) 804-2558

Sandra Monson

Teacher on Special Assignment
monsons@monroe.wednet.edu
(360) 804-2617