Referral Period, Testing Dates, Identification, and Appeals Process
the 2023/2024 referral period is open from June 1st through October 31st 2023.
The testing date for private school students is on Saturday, December 9th.
Students not enrolled in the Edmonds School District, but are either attending private schools or are homeschooled, will test on December 9th with the private school group.
EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT STUDENTS WILL TEST IN THEIR SCHOOLS DURING THE SCHOOL DAY.
Students enrolled in Edmonds School District schools will be tested in their schools during the school day.
Students in 2nd and 6th grade will be tested without any referrals or permission forms needed. If you do not want your 2nd or 6th grader tested, you will need to notify your child's teacher by September 15th.
Students in Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd-5th and 7th grades will need to have Referral and Permission to Test forms completed and submitted to the Edmonds School District Highly Capable Office no later than October 31st in order to test.
In order to have a student assessed for the Highly Capable Programs, students must live within the Edmonds School District boundary, be at least in kindergarten, complete a Referral packet including parent signature, and submit all required documents to the Highly Capable Department prior to the deadline of October 31st at 4:30 p.m.
Students may be referred by themselves, other students, parents, teachers, administrators, and community members. Written parent/guardian permission is required prior to testing. Referred students will be tested using the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT). Grades second and sixth will take the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT3). The test administrators and proctors are trained to look for any barriers to a true picture of a child's cognitive 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. Proctors will make a note of any discrepancy on a student's test and then share with the Program Administrator. If there is a reason to believe that we need to look at the child's ability in some other way, the information will be reviewed by the Multidisciplinary Selection Committee.
The Highly Capable Program for elementary students is a self-contained full-time District program located at Terrace Park Elementary. The Gifted Middle School Program is housed at Brier Terrace Middle School and is a mix of self-contained and combined classes. These programs are for students who perform or show potential for performing at significantly advanced academic levels when compared with others of their age, experiences, or environments. The Cognitive Abilities Test serves as one tool in the screening process for the program.
Please note: Private individual testing cannot be used in place of the group CogAT test. All students wanting acceptance into Highly Capable Programs must take the CogAT or NNAT3 given by Edmonds School District proctors.
