At the elementary level, identified students are served through a full-time, self-contained program housed at Terrace Park School. The Challenge classrooms differentiate the strong, standards-based, regular Edmonds curriculum by providing an environment which allows students to identify and solve complex problems, explore concepts in greater depth and complexity, and to develop and create unique products. Using the National Association for Gifted Children Standards, the curriculum, instruction, and pacing is different than a regular classroom.
In order to enter the screening/testing process for the Challenge Program, the student must currently live in the Edmonds School District boundaries. A Challenge referral form must be completed and submitted to:
Edmonds School District Highly Capable/Gifted Office Attn: Nancy Gilbertson 20420 68th Ave. W. Lynnwood, WA 98036
Nominated students (current grades K-5) will be screened using the CogAT 6 (Cognitive Abilities Tests). The test administrators are trained to look for barriers to a true picture of a child's cognitive or creative ability, especially for the under-served or under-represented populations of our District. Barriers could be emerging English language, cultural background or any other factor that might distort the test. Notes will be made by the test administrator and shared with the Program Administrator. If there is a reason to believe that we need to look at this child's ability in some other way, the information will be reviewed by the Multi-Disciplinary Selection Committee. Students scoring above 90th percentile in at least one area (Verbal, Quantitative, Non-Verbal) of the CogAT will have their test scores reviewed by the Multi-Disciplinary Selection Committee to determine if placement in Challenge is appropriate. All district assessment records, academic achievement data, parent and teacher referral information, plus any other pertinent information available will also be reviewed in the process. Students will not be affected in a negative way if there is a missing test score or other data. If there is need for more information, parents will be contacted.
Identification and Placement in the Challenge Program
The Multi-Disciplinary Selection Committee reviews the performance data for all tested students and identifies the students whose instructional needs would be best served in the Highly Capable program.They are assisted by the District Assessment Office to compile and understand the student's assessment profile. District assessment records, academic achievement data, parent and teacher referral information, plus any other pertinent information available will be considered in the process. Students will not be affected in a negative way if there is a missing test score or other data. If there is need for more information, parents will be contacted.
Appeal Process
If you feel that your student did not show their true potential, you may complete an Appeal form. Appeal Forms will be available for parents at the Gifted Assessment Meeting on February 21, 6:00-7:00pm, Board Room B, Edmonds School District offices, 20420 68th Ave. West, Lynnwood, WA 98036. You may also pick up an appeal form after Feb. 21 or we will email it to you. Appeal forms must be submitted no later than April 10 and the actual Appeal Review will be held in April. The Multi-Disciplinary Selection Committee (MSC) appeal decision is final.
In order to support the Appeal process, additional supportive evidence beyond the CogAT6 test that was given to your student is needed.In order to complete the Appeal process, you should have your student tested (if they have not already been tested) using one of the following Cognitive Ability Measures:
Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC IV)
Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI)
Stanford Binet Cognitive Assessment V
Woodcock Johnson Cognitive Assessment Scales III
These tests must be given by a licensed psychologist and costs vary according to the test and the psychologist you choose.
You may also choose to wait and have your student tested the following year.Sometimes a little more maturity is all a student needs.
For more information please contact Nancy Gilbertson at (425) 431-7157.
