special services
Highly Capable Services Programs
Highly Capable Program
2010-2011 Nominations
Each school year, Sumner School District accepts nominations of students in grades 2-7 whose educational needs might be best served by Sumner's Highly Capable Program. Sumner serves students identified as highly capable in grades 3-5 in a self-contained all day program housed at Daffodil Valley Elementary. Middle school students attend Lakeridge or Sumner Middle School. For the 2010-2011 school year, students in grades 6 and 7 will attend Lakeridge Middle School. Students in grade 8 will attend Sumner Middle School. The middle school Highly Capable Program includes social studies, language arts, math and science.
Nominations
November 2 - 25, 2009
Nomination forms will be available at all elementary and middle schools beginning Monday, November 2.
Highly Capable Forms
Parent Information Night: Highly Capable Program
Monday, November 16
7:00-8:30 PM
Daffodil Valley Elementary, 1509 Valley Avenue in Sumner.
Parent information night is an overview of the nomination and selection process, discussion of the characteristics of highly capable students, and a description of the elementary and middle school Highly Capable Programs.
If you have questions about the program, qualification criteria, or selection process, please contact Tari Littlefield at 253.891.6035.
Program Goals
The term “Highly Capable” is used to identify students who have exceptionally high intellectual or creative ability. Sumner School District provides programs for highly capable students, who generally do not perform to their full potential unless they receive specialized instruction at their ability level and have a chance to learn and interact with other highly capable students.
The Sumner School District’s goals for the Highly Capable Program are:
1. To provide accelerated academic pace and depth
2. To meet social and emotional needs of students
3. To create opportunities for students to work with academic peers
What identifies my child as Highly Capable?
According to state guidelines, the identification of students with superior intellectual ability by testing their cognitive abilities, academic abilities and academic achievement levels.
Two qualifying areas are required for the Highly Capable Program:
1. Cognitive Abilities Test is used for students in grades 2 through 7 to measure cognitive ability and must achieve a 90% or higher.
2. Academic Achievement- students in 2nd and 3rd grade who achieve a 90% or higher on the Cognitive Abilities test will be invited to take the Stanford Achievement academic testing (must achieve 95% or higher in reading or math). For students in grades 4 through 7, the top 5% district wide WASL scores will be used to measure academic achievement.
Where would my child attend school if he/she qualified for the 2010-2011 school year?
Sumner serves identified students as highly capable in grades 3-5 in a self-contained “all day” program housed at Daffodil Valley Elementary. Middle school students attend Lakeridge or Sumner middle school. For the 2010-2011 school year, students in grades 6 and 7 attend Lakeridge Middle School. Students in grade 8 will attend Sumner Middle School. The middle school Highly Capable Program includes social studies, language arts, math and science.
How do I nominate my child?
Parent and teacher nomination forms are available at all elementary and middle schools beginning November 2 through November 25. Forms will also be available online. Families will be notified April 16, 2010 on the outcome of testing.
What happens if my child was nominated but did not qualify? Can I appeal?
Yes. Appeals regarding assessment and selection will be made to the Highly Capable Committee (HCC) which consist of the following:
- Principal at the appropriate grade level
- One classroom teacher (that serves highly capable students)
- District administrator Psychologist or counselor
- Other professionals the District chooses to place on the committee
A parent/guardian wishing to appeal the assessment decision will submit a request in writing to the Highly Capable Program administrator by April 26, 2010. A letter of appeal clearly outlining the rationale for the request shall be submitted to the Highly Capable Program administrator by the parent/guardian.
The appeal letter should include these three items:
Supporting details for evidence of outstanding abilities of the student
Inclusion of additional cognitive data
Letter(s) of recommendations from District staff
The HCC shall review the appeal. The committee will determine the appropriate action from the list below:
1. Continued denial for entry into program based on data presented
2. Request further testing prior to a final decision (elementary students only)
3. Request for further information and/or data prior to a final decision
4. Change status to “qualified”
A parent/guardian wishing to appeal decisions of the HCC will submit written request to the Executive Director of Teaching and Learning. The appeals process will be used for parents/guardians who are not satisfied with the selection process. The decision will be made based on the evidence presented.
For more information contact Special Services (253) 891-6035. |
