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Edmonds School District

Identification Process

Overview

In accordance with WAC 392-170-055, Edmonds School District uses multiple pathways to identify students for Highly Capable services. A Multidisciplinary Placement Committee (MPC) - comprised of teachers, specialists, and administrators - analyzes multiple assessment points and compares student scores to local norms (building & district). The committee considers multiple indicators when identifing a need for services, including our aptitude screener, standardized academic assessments, and staff referrals. (Decisions are not based on a single data point alone.) To be identified, students generally need to score at or above the 97th percentile in aptitude, English Language Arts and math. Based on their data, the MPC will make a placement recommendation for students. 

Assessments

HiCap Pathways

i-Ready

i-Ready is an Edmonds district achievement assessment for math and reading. The assessments are administered three times per school year. The i-Ready Diagnostic is a computer adaptive assessment that measures both student performance and growth.

SBAC

The Washington State SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium) assessment is a standardized test used to measure student proficiency in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. It aligns with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and is administered to students in grades 3–8 and 10 in Washington state.

NNAT3

The NNAT3 (Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test, Third Edition) is a nonverbal assessment used to measure general intellectual ability, particularly for identifying gifted and talented students. It is designed to minimize cultural and language biases by focusing on abstract reasoning and problem-solving rather than verbal or mathematical skills.

WIDA (Multilingual Students Only)

The WIDA (World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment) is a set of tests designed to measure English language proficiency (ELP) in students who are multilingual learners (MLLs). It is used to identify, monitor, and support students who are developing English proficiency in academic settings.

STAMP (High School & Dual Language Students Only)

The Avant STAMP (Standards-based Measurement of Proficiency) test is a computer-adaptive, web-based language assessment used in Washington state to evaluate proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. It helps K-12 students earn competency-based high school credits, qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy, and measures growth in language learning.

Acadience 

Acadience® is a universal screening and progress monitoring assessment that measures the acquisition of early literacy skills. The assessment is composed of six measures that indicate whether students are mastering the essential skills necessary to become a proficient reader. 

WaKids

WaKIDS aims to foster relationships with early learning providers to transition children to kindergarten. The Whole-child Assessment is an authentic and observational assessment that examines six areas of development and learning. This includes social-emotional, physical, language, literacy, cognitive, and mathematics. 

IN EARLY FEBRUARY, The IDENTIFICATION results & PLACEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS will be sent TO In-District Families via parentsquare and Private/Homeschool FAMILIES VIA emails.

Notification Process

In early February, determination letters will be emailed with identification results and placement recommendation. If identified, elementary and middle school students will be offered placement in our self-contained programs at Challenge Elementary or Brier Terrace Middle School. There will be information nights (including presentations and tours the week of President's Day) to learn more about these schools. To accept or decline placement, families must complete the digital form on Skyward Family Access. 

Appeals Process

Decisions of the Multidisciplinary Placement Committee (MPC) can be appealed only in the winter of the same school year in which the student was tested.
Appeals may only be made based upon one of the following conditions and must be substanciated with evidence:

  1.  An extraordinary circumstance occurred during testing that may have negatively affected the validity of the test results (i.e., traumatic event or an illness preventing completion of the test).
  2. A misapplication or miscalculation of the assessment data by the selection committee due to an incorrect birth date or grade level used in calculating the student’s score.

The following procedures are in place for an appeal:

  1. An appeal form is available through the Highly Capable Program Office.
  2. All completed appeal forms and supporting evidence must be submitted to the Highly Capable Program office by the specified appeals deadline. Outside cognitive testing or evaluations will not be accepted as supporting documentation for the appeals process.
  3. The appeal will be initially reviewed by the Highly Capable Program office shortly after the appeals deadline. At that time, the Highly Capable Program office will render a decision either to deny the appeal or approve retesting of the student based on the evidence provided. A written summary of the initial review and decision will be sent to the person filing the appeal, and a copy of the summary will also be included in the student’s highly capable testing file.
  4. Students retesting will have their results reviewed by the MPC within two weeks after close of the retesting window.
  5. A written summary of MPC’s findings will be sent to the person filing the appeal within four days of the MPC’s decision, and a copy of the appeal and summary of findings will be included in the student's highly capable testing file.
  6. The decision of the MPC on all appeals is final.

APPEAL FORMS ARE DUE NO LATER THAN 4:30p.m. ON FEBRUARY 19, 2027. Please mail, e-mail, or deliver the completed appeal form to the Highly Capable Program office at: Edmonds School District Highly Capable Program 20420 68th Ave W Lynnwood WA 98036

K-12 Highly Capable Program Specialist 425-431-7157