Highly Capable referral period

Highly Capable Referral Period scheduled for November 28, 2016 through January 6, 2017

Walla Walla School District's Highly Capable Program Services provide students of high academic and intellectual ability with designated time to explore concepts in greater depth.  The goal of the Highly Capable Program is to encourage the development of higher level thinking skills. 

Information on the Highly Capable Program referral period is currently available on the district’s website. Referral forms will be available in all district schools and on the district website no later than November 28, 2016. Parents will be able to contact their child's teacher or school learning specialist/counselor for more information.

The referral deadline is January 6, 2017 to avoid assessment schedule conflicts that typically occur in late February and early March. All referred students will be screened using norm-referenced standardized tests and teacher/classroom assessments and recommendations. Those who qualify for further testing will participate in cognitive abilities testing at their home schools.   In all cases, parents will be notified of the results of the process, and a child not selected one year may be referred again in subsequent years.

Walla Walla School District Highly Capable Program Services focus on two domains: 1) general intellectual growth and exploration and 2) specific academic content areas. The specific academic focus areas are Mathematics, Science, Language Arts and Social Studies.

Highly Capable students are currently offered the following services, although programming is currently under review and updated information for 2017-18 and beyond will be available in early June:

Students in kindergarten through second grade, identified as Highly Capable, are served through the Response to Intervention (RtI) model in their home schools. The elementary principal or designee will work with classroom teachers to provide appropriate accelerated/enhanced learning opportunities. K-2 classroom/program options could include, but not be limited to: alternative activities, enrichment activities, flexible group learning, independent projects, advanced lessons, online or supplemental instruction.

For grades three through five, Highly Capable students can be served by Explorers, a pull-out program focusing on enriched Science and Mathematics academic experiences. Students may also be served under the RtI model at their home schools.

The middle school Highly Capable Services focus on the subject areas of English, Language Arts and Social Studies.  Middle school services are incorporated into the school day through specific classes.  Students are involved in inquiry- based lessons, group problem-solving settings, independent investigations and group discussions.  Middle school Highly Capable students have an opportunity to take different levels of mathematics classes, based on their ability, test scores and recommendations from teachers.  This same opportunity is extended to all students in grades six through eight at both middle schools.

Students previously identified as Highly Capable and transitioning to ninth grade will meet with high school counselors (or principal’s designee) for the purpose of course selection and access to advanced instruction.  Teachers of high school Highly Capable students will know who has been identified and will be provided with professional development and/or instructional suggestions through the high school RtI team.   Services for high school students can include, but are not limited to, honors or Advanced Placement classes, Running Start, independent study or online classes.

For more information, please contact the Walla Walla School District Teaching and Learning office: 526-6735.