Students are selected for participation in the program based on a combination of test scores and teacher
recommendations. By definition (WAC 392-170), the highly capable
student is one who has been assessed to have superior
intellectual ability as demonstrated by one or more of the
following criteria: cognitive ability, specific academic
achievement and exceptional creativity or problem solving
ability.
Nominations
Students may be recommended for the program by teachers, family members or themselves. Nomination forms may be picked up at the school office.
Cognitive Abilities Test
All nominated students are given the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT). This test gives a general indication of each student's abilities in three areas; verbal (language), quantitative (Mathematics), and nonverbal (spatial relationships).
Academic Measures
All second grade students in the district are given the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS). This is a group-administered achievement test that
provides achievement scores in two areas: mathematics and reading. Students need to score at the 90th percentile on this test in order to be recommended for further testing.
In grades 3 - 8, the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) is used as their academic measure.
Teacher Rating
Classroom teachers rate student in the areas of creativity, task commitment, problem solving and
intellectual curiosity.
