Highly Capable Program

CVSD Highly Capable Student Identification Process

January 26 - February 13	Grade 2 CogAT screening for those not screened in Grade 1 (2025 only)
March 2 - April 12	Online referral window for Grade 3 and Grade 4 students.
April 20 - May 8	Referral testing Grade 3 - 4
Mid May	Parent Notifications (via Email)

If a student has already qualified for Highly Capable services in the past, there is no need to refer. Services continue from year to year.

CVSD's Highly Capable Program

Highly capable students perform or show potential to perform at significantly advanced levels compared with others of their age, experience, or environment. Outstanding abilities are evident in students' general intellectual aptitudes, specific academic abilities, and/or creative productivity within a specific domain.

Central Valley School District provides a continuum of services to students who qualify.

ELEMENTARY

Able Learner Program* (Pull-out program focused on reasoning skills)
Cluster grouping
Differentiation within the classroom
Enrichment
Flexible grouping
Project choice

*Beginning in 2026, students in grades 3 - 5 may participate in the Able Learner Program.

SECONDARY

Services focused on both acceleration and enrichment
Advanced Placement classes or other advanced courses
Cluster grouping
Dual enrollment for high school and college credit
Extended core middle school classes
Honors classes
Integrated classroom approaches and differentiation
Online courses
Opportunities for course advancement
Extracurricular services (i.e. interest clubs, competitions, and/or performances)

Does your child qualify for Highly Capable Program services?

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 students' general intellectual aptitudes, specific academic abilities, and/or creative productivities within a specific domain.

Any parent/guardian may refer his/her child for highly capable assessment. Parents should complete the Parent Referral Form, which includes Authorization for Testing available on this website and in schools. In addition, teachers or other adults may nominate a student.

Central Valley School District provides a variety of appropriate services to students who qualify to participate in the Highly Capable Program. Once services are started, a continuum of services is provided to identified students in grades K-12.

Able Learner Program Details

The Able Learner Program (Ables) serves identified highly capable students in grades 2 through 5. Central Valley School District defines these students as those whose general mental development is significantly accelerated beyond that of their chronological peers. These students demonstrate remarkable potential for high performance in the areas of general intellectual ability, specific academic aptitude, creative or productive thinking, and peer leadership ability. Ables provides specialized services and activities in order to develop the student’s capabilities to the fullest extent.

Selection
Any student residing in the Central Valley School District may be referred by a parent, teacher, or community member. All candidates are screened using multiple objective criteria, including cognitive abilities assessment tests, district assessments, teacher and parent questionnaires, and other relevant data. Qualified candidates are offered admission to the program.

Population Served
Children who live within the boundaries of Central Valley School District and who do not “choice” to another public school district may attend Ables if they meet the selection criteria.

Program Model
Ables is a pull-out model in which 3rd through 5th-grade students participate one day per week. Enhanced instruction focuses on reasoning, creativity, and accelerated skills delivered primarily through project-based learning.

Transportation
Students ride buses to and from home schools to Ables. They are picked up in the morning after 8:45 a.m. (9:45 a.m. on Thursdays) and returned after 2:00 p.m. in time to be dismissed from their regular classrooms. Parents should check with their child’s home school for particular pick-up times and instructions for how their student will catch the bus to the Able Learner Program.

Lunch
Students may bring their own lunch or purchase a hot lunch, just as they do at their home schools. Prices and menus are the same, as are the qualifications for free or reduced lunches. Students may access their prepaid accounts from their CVSD home school.

Attendance
Once a student has decided to participate in the Ables, they have committed to attending regularly. Because students participate in many ongoing group activities, they do not have the option to choose whether to attend week to week. Each child’s success, as well as the group's, depends on the regular weekly attendance of all Ables students. Exceptions for very special circumstances must be cleared in advance with the program teachers. Please alert your child’s home school before 9 a.m. if your student will be absent on his/her day for any reason.

Home School
Students should not be required to complete all assignments given in their regular classroom while they are attending Ables. Students should be held responsible for the learning they are missing in the regular classroom, but not necessarily the work. Classroom teachers can administer pre- or post-tests that can easily determine whether an Ables student has already mastered a skill. Students should check with their home school teachers regarding procedures and expectations.

Homework
Homework is not regularly scheduled; however, when students are working on projects, they may bring home activities to work on outside of the program day. Timelines will be made available for these projects.

Parent Conferences and Holidays
Parent/Teacher conferences will be held during the school year. Teachers will contact you to schedule a one-half-hour session with each student’s parent(s)/guardian(s). Students will be able to participate in their home school classroom holiday activities.

Invitations
Parents will be invited to attend occasional project presentations prepared by the students. Teacher emails and invitations will keep parents informed.

Exit Policy
A parent/guardian may request that a student be withdrawn from the program. A request to withdraw form must be completed and submitted by the parent to confirm the student’s withdrawal from the program.

Questions
For any questions or concerns regarding the classroom program, parents should call the program teachers. Teachers are available before 9 a.m. and after 2 p.m., or a message may be left during those times. Parents may also arrange a visit. In addition, parents may contact the program coordinator with questions.

Identification & Appeal Processes

The identification process begins with a referral.

If a student scores above the 85th percentile on an abilities screener, which may include the Cognitive Abilities Test Screener, (CogAT), they will be referred for the 2nd round of testing.

Regardless of screener, a referral may be made by the student, a parent, guardian, or another adult who knows the student for consideration for the program.

After screening, verification may be completed with one or more objective assessments. Students may be assessed using one or more instruments, the Scales for Identifying Gifted Students (SIGS), the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT), the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) or other assessments approved by the Multidisciplinary Selection Committee. The results of the screener may also be used as part of the verification process.

Generally, students who score in the 1st – 4th percentile (1st Stanine) on objective assessments will be identified as eligible to receive Highly Capable Program services. For grades 3 through 5, services may include the pullout Able Learner Program.

Other assessments or measures such as state assessment scores, prior identification in another school district, IQ tests, etc. may also be considered.

A letter is sent to parents via the email address provided with a copy of the assessment results and the MPC’s decision for placement in the program. The letter includes appeal rights and procedures.

An appeals process is in place for parents who have additional supporting evidence.

Appeal Process
Decisions of the Multidisciplinary Selection Committee (MSC) can be appealed within 10 days of notification. The following procedures are in place for an appeal: [Policy 2190AP]

An appeal form is available on this page or from the High Capable Program at the district office.

Additional supporting evidence must be included in the information provided by the individual making the appeal.

The Appeals Committee will be comprised of the MSC and at least one additional professional who was not part of the decision being appealed.

Appeals must be submitted within 10 school days. A written summary of findings will be sent to the person filing the appeal, and a copy of the appeal and summary of findings will be included in the student’s cumulative file. The decision of the Appeals Committee is final.

Highly Capable Policy and Program Overview

Policy 2190: Highly Capable Programs

Procedures for Identification and Placement
Parental permission (WAC 392‐170‐047):
Parental permission must be obtained in writing before:

Conducting assessment(s) to determine eligibility for participation in programs for highly capable students.
Providing initial special services and programs to an identified highly capable student.

The parental permission notice shall include:

A full explanation of the procedures for identification and program options.
An explanation of the appeal process.

Referral
Referrals may come from any source, including teachers, staff, parents, students, and members of the community. Referral forms are available on the Highly Capable Program website annually.

Assessment Criteria
Multiple criteria will be used in the assessment of students.

Assessment Instruments
The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) Screener is administered to all 2nd and 5th-graders each spring. Additional instruments for Highly Capable Program identification may include the Otis‐Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT) and Scales for Identifying Gifted Students (SIGS).

Multidisciplinary Placement Committee (MPC)

The role of the MPC is to determine the final selection of students to be identified for the program according to WAC 392‐170. The coordinator for highly capable programs appoints MPC members with representation from professionals as required by law.

Analysis and Reporting of Assessment Results
Multiple assessment criteria is considered by the MPC. For students who participate in testing beyond the screening, a score summary report will indicate whether the student qualifies for the program. A copy of the report is placed in the student’s permanent file, and reports are sent to the parents/guardians.

Transfer Students
Students previously enrolled in a highly capable program outside the Central Valley School District are screened to determine if they meet the criteria for enrollment in the Central Valley School District program. Previous test information and records are considered by the MPC.

Exceptions to the Criteria
Exceptions may be made by the MPC for students whose test results do not meet the criteria because of special circumstances. For students showing potential, additional data may be gathered to determine program eligibility.