Referral Period, Testing Dates, Identification, and Appeals Process
Referral and Testing Process for Kindergarten - 7th grade
The referral period for testing in the 2022/2023 school year IS NOW CLOSED.
the 2023/2024 referral period is open from September 1st through October 31st 2023.
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). 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: Students are limited to test four times for the Highly Capable programs from Kindergarten through grade 7 and one additional test during grade eight. 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 given by Edmonds School District proctors.
