Identification and Placement Criteria

Eligibility Information

Eligibility Phase 1
Eligibility Phase 2

Eligibility Phase 1

Kindergarten: WA Kids data and other district assessments are used to determine kindergarten students who may qualify for highly capable services. These students will automatically be assigned a cluster group classroom for 1st grade. The district does not provide self-contained, highly capable classes in the 1st grade. All kindergartners will participate in the universal screening process as first graders.
Universal Screening (Grades 1 and 3): All 1st and 3rd grade students are screened using the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) screener in October. The universal screening and reviewing a learning portfolio for all first and third grade students replaces the need for referrals at these grade levels. Families of students who had their learning portfolio (including their screener score) approved by the district’s Multidisciplinary Selection Committee will participate in further assessments.
Referrals (2nd, 4th-8th Grades): Students who were referred for highly capable services and had their learning portfolio reviewed and approved by the district’s Multidisciplinary Selection Committee will participate in further assessments.

All Students who met Eligibility Phase 1 criteria continue to the second phase of the identification process. The second phase includes participation in additional assessments, including the CogAT full battery (different than the screener). These assessments will take place in March. The results of these assessments are added to the previous learning portfolio and reviewed by the Multidisciplinary Identification and Placement Committee.

Elementary Qualifying Decisions

The Multidisciplinary Identification and Placement Committee (MIPC) reviews the learning portfolio of each student to identify students who could potentially qualify for highly capable services. Based on the learning portfolio reviewed, the MIPC may recommended your child participate in the second phase of the identification process. The second phase includes participation in additional assessments. The results of these assessments are added to the learning portfolio and reviewed by the MIPC to determine if your child qualifies for highly capable services, with potential placement in a self-contained (STREAM) or in an ELA or Math cluster classroom. Students who qualify for highly capable services do not need to retest to continue services from year to year.

Middle School Qualifying Decisions

Qualification for highly capable services is determined by entering CogAT and IOWA scores into the Middle School Highly Capable Testing Qualification Matrix. Students must score a ten or higher automatically qualify for highly capable services in ELA. Highly Capable in Mathematics is met through the SVSD Math Pathway Continuum.

More information is available on the Math Pathways website. For students who don’t score within the criteria of the qualification matrix, a learning portfolio will be reviewed by the selection committee. Qualifying decisions and determination of services are based upon whether the learning portfolio indicates a need for services beyond the scope of the general education classroom. Students who qualify for highly capable services do not need to retest to continue services from year to year.

Appeals

The Snoqualmie Valley School District, in compliance with WA 392-170-076, has developed an appeal process. Appeals will be considered based on outlined criteria only.

An appeal of the final placement decision may be filed when based on one of the following criteria:

A condition or circumstance believed to have caused a misinterpretation of the testing results (ex: an incorrect birth date or grade level used in calculating assessment score).
An extraordinary circumstance occurred during the testing period that may negatively affect the validity of the test results (ex. death in the family or extreme physical ailment).
Suspicion of an error in the administration of the assessment.
A misapplication or miscalculation of scores by the multidisciplinary selection committee.

To file an appeal, you must use the Selection Decision Appeal Form The form must be completed and returned to the district Teaching and Learning office within ten (10) working days following the notification of score results. All appeals will go before the Highly Capable Advisory Committee and you will be notified of the decision by mail. The purpose of the Highly Capable Advisory Committee is to consider individual circumstances, based on the criteria above, which may have impacted the student’s evaluation data. The decision of the Highly Capable Advisory Committee is final. Outside assessments will not be considered. Illness will not be considered a valid reason for appeal.

Selection Decision Appeal Form English

Selection Decision Appeal Form Spanish

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