PDFWAC 392-170-055

Assessment process for selection as highly capable student.

(1) The superintendent of public instruction must require school districts to have identification procedures for their highly capable programs that are clearly stated and implemented by school districts using the following criteria:
(a) Districts must use multiple objective criteria to identify students who are among the most highly capable. Multiple pathways for qualifications must be available and no single criterion may disqualify a student from identification;
(b) Highly capable selection decisions must be based on consideration of criteria benchmarked on local norms, but local norms may not be used as a more restrictive criteria than national norms;
(c) Subjective measures such as teacher recommendations or report card grades may not be used to screen out a student from assessment. These data points may be used alongside other criteria during selection to support identification, but may not be used to disqualify a student from being identified; and
(d) To the extent practicable, screening and assessments must be given in the native language of the student. If native language screening and assessments are not available, a nonverbal screening and assessment must be used.
(2) Students referred for selection as a highly capable student, unless eliminated through screening as provided in WAC 392-170-045, shall be assessed by qualified district personnel;
(3) There is no single prescribed method for identification of students among the most highly capable;
(4) Districts shall have a clearly defined and written assessment process; and
(5) Consistent with RCW 28A.185.020, district practices for identifying the most highly capable students must prioritize equitable identification of low-income students.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.150.290, 28A.185.030, and 28A.185.050. WSR 19-03-152, § 392-170-055, filed 1/22/19, effective 2/22/19. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.185.050. WSR 18-03-012, § 392-170-055, filed 1/5/18, effective 2/5/18. Statutory Authority: Chapter 28A.185 RCW. WSR 13-07-020, § 392-170-055, filed 3/12/13, effective 4/12/13. Statutory Authority: Chapter 28A.16 RCW. WSR 84-14-037 (Order 84-20), § 392-170-055, filed 6/28/84.]