Highly Capable
Meeting the unique academic, social and emotional needs of intellectually gifted students through enhanced and accelerated learning opportunities.
What is Hi-Cap?
Hi-Cap is an abbreviation for Highly Capable and refers to services for Highly Capable students. A Highly Capable student performs, or shows potential for performing, at significantly advanced levels when compared with other students of their age, experience, or environment.
Highly capable students may have outstanding capabilities in their general ability to learn, in specific subjects, in their creativity, and/or in leadership skills. Highly Capable students come from all segments of the population.
The goal of Aberdeen School District’s Highly Capable Services is to engage and challenge Highly Capable students through relevant instruction and learning opportunities available in their classrooms, schools, community, and home.
Contact Information
Mindi Hammill - Highly Capable Program Director
mhammill@asd5.org
Amber Melville - Highly Capable Program Coordinator
amelville@asd5.org
Highly Capable Services Offered by the Aberdeen School District
What does the Aberdeen School District Offer Highly Capable Students?
Aberdeen School District offers a continuum of services to engage and challenge Highly Capable students. Highly Capable students have access to in-class cluster grouping, differentiated instruction, and online course compacting and acceleration. Elementary and Middle School students may participate in workshops, field trips, and family learning opportunities.In high school Highly Capable students continue to participate in advanced classes as well as concurrent enrollment or Running Start. The district also offers various clubs and knowledge based competitions for secondary students to participate in.
Highly Capable Offerings by Grade Level
- Grades K-2: In class differentiation and cluster grouping (to include reading and math groups), online learning opportunities, and optional participation in elementary Hi-cap field trips and activities as age appropriate.
- Grades 3-5: In class differentiation and cluster grouping, online learning opportunities, participation in elementary Hi-cap field trips and activities.
- Grades 6-8: Courses for subject acceleration, leadership opportunities, electives of interest, and other academic clubs when available.
- Grades 9-12: Online courses for subject acceleration, subject-based acceleration, advanced placement, clubs, Advanced Placement (AP), and Running Start.
Identification
How are students identified as Highly Capable?
In the Aberdeen School District Highly Capable students are identified for services either through a screening or by referral.
Screening
Each fall, winter, and spring benchmark assessments are given to all district students. Students identified by this screening as potentially Highly Capable will be considered for services. Their classwork will be assessed and they may be asked to take a cognitive ability test as part of the consideration process.
Referrals for Highly Capable Services
Teachers, parents, and community members may refer any student for consideration to receive Highly Capable services. Referrals are accepted at any time and are actively solicited in the fall of each year. Students may be referred because of high assessment scores or if there are other strong indicators of a need for services. All students referred as potentially Highly Capable will be considered for services and may be asked to take a cognitive ability test as part of the consideration process. A multidisciplinary selection committee will review the results of these tests and assessments to determine if the student qualifies for and will benefit from the Highly Capable Services in the district.
How do I refer a student for Highly Capable Services?
Print and complete the appropriate form below and return it to any school district office to be forwarded to Highly Capable Services. Any K-11 grade student who exhibits outstanding academic, learning, problem solving, or leadership abilities may be referred for Highly Capable Services. Parents, teachers, staff, and community members are encouraged to identify and refer these students. Referred students will be assessed and tested after parent permission is received.
Referral Form for Highly Capable Services (English)
Referencia para los Servicios de Alta Capacidad (Espanol)
Testing and Placement
What kind of testing is required for Hi-cap?
The OLSAT cognitive ability test, benchmark assessments, teacher surveys, and other appropriate data are used to determine if students screened or referred into Highly Capable Services will qualify for services.
Students referred to Highly Capable services who have met the minimum benchmark score requirements are recommended for OLSAT testing. This test is administered to students during the Spring of each school year. Before testing, a notice is sent to students’ parents informing them of upcoming program testing and requesting their "Consent for Evaluation”.
Other tests and assessments that will be compiled for the Multidisciplinary Selection Committee’s consideration include District benchmark assessments, state assessments, report cards, and other assessments and checklists as available. A Teacher Rating Form is sent to the appropriate classroom teacher requesting pertinent information about the referred student.
What will qualify my child for services and who makes that decision?
The Multidisciplinary Selection Committee reviews each student's profile packet to determine eligibility for services. The team determines if results from tests, and other assessment data provide evidence that placement in Highly Capable services will be beneficial to the student.
The Multidisciplinary Selection Committee is composed of the Support Services Coordinator, the Hi-cap teacher, a school psychologist, and any other district staff invited to participate.
How will I be notified about my child's qualification for services?
A letter will be sent to the students’ parents / guardians and school regarding test results and students’ eligibility for Highly Capable services. For qualifying students, the letter will include what services the student can receive and the date on which those services would begin. Parents must sign and return the included form authorizing any services for their child. Parents and teachers may appeal non-qualifying decisions.
Highly Capable Services Appeals
What if I disagree with the decision about my child's placement in Highly Capable Services?
If a parent or teacher disagrees with a decision that is made by the Multidisciplinary Selection Team, he or she may appeal the decision by contacting the Support Services Coordinator or the school principal. The Highly Capable Services Appeal Form is available on the district website and at the Student Support Services office. The form must include rationale for the appeal including documented details and data. Appeals must be initiated within 15 days of receiving the placement decision letter from the Committee.
The Highly Capable Multidisciplinary Selection Team reviews all appeals. The Committee will determine one of the following based on the data: Change of status to qualified; Denial of appeal; Request for further testing; Request for further information and/or data prior to a final decision. The parent and/or teacher will be notified in writing of the Committee's decision. The decision of the Team is final.
This pdf document contains guidelines and the form needed to appeal an eligibility decision.
Highly Capable Services Appeal Form (English)
Apelación para los Servicios de Alta Capacidad (Espanol)
Resources
Educational Resources
https://login.i-ready.com/: iReady Login
https://www.hoagiesgifted.org: Gifted education resources
khanacademy.org: Free online lessons 1st Grade through College
https://www.nasa.gov/stem/
https://learninglab.si.edu/: Learning Labs from the Smithsonian
https://kids.
https://figurethis.nctm.org/
https://phet.colorado.edu/en/
https://www.wonderopolis.org/
https://www.nagc.org/prek-12-enrichment-educational-resources: A list of resources from the National Association for Gifted Children
https://www.k12.wa.us/student-success/resources-subject-area/health-and-physical-education/health-and-physical-education-resources: Physical activity is very important for our brains. Here is a list of PE resources from our state.
https://www.pacificsciencecenter.org/events-programs/curiosity-at-home/: Ideas for extending science learning at home.
https://collegecliffs.com/exploring-stem-education-a-resource-guide: Lots of great STEM ideas
Other Resources
Regulations
Washington Administrative Codes (WAC) for Highly Capable Services
Revised Code of Washington (RCW) for Highly Capable Services
The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Highly Capable Program
Aberdeen School District Policy
Organizations
Northwest Gifted Child Association (NWGCA)
National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC)
Washington Association of Educators of the Talented and Gifted (WAETAG)
Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
University Research Centers
University of Washington Robinson Center for Young Scholars
Whitworth University Center for Gifted Education
Center for Talented Youth – John Hopkins University
Duke University Talent Identification Program