Students in Kindergarten and grades 1, 3, and 4 may be referred for possible HiCap services by a parent/guardian, teacher, peer, community member, or themselves in the fall each year. When the window is open, the referral form link will be available on the Highly Capable webpage.
Referrals are not accepted for students in grades 2 and 5 because they are universally screened unless opted out of the identification process.
All students in grades 2 and 5 will be universally screened for HiCap services. If your student currently receives HiCap services in KSD, participation in the HiCap screening process will not result in the ending or removal from receiving services.
If you would not like your student to be tested or considered for HiCap services, please complete the 2025-2026 Grade 2 and 5 Universal Screener Refusal Form by January 21, 2022.
The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) measures the student’s learned reasoning abilities, or aptitudes, in verbal analogies, number analogies, and figure matrices.
We will also review data for referred students from other assessments that are appropriate at their grade level.
i-Ready Benchmark Assessment for Math & Reading: Grades K-5
Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBA) for Math & Reading: Grades 4-5
WaKIDS: Kindergaten
Students with a first language other than English will also be evaluated with the World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) for rapid language acquisition, using a non-verbal assessment, and cognitive abilities assessments in home languages when available.
Students who are identified for HiCap and also qualify for either special education services or a 504 plan are often referred to as twice-exceptional students. It is important that staff from both programs collaborate when planning for students who are eligible for multiple services. Additional data available for students with IEPs may also be used in the identification process.
The Multidisciplinary Identification Committee will meet to identify students who will receive HiCap services in the following school year. The Multidisciplinary Identification Committee is made up of teachers, principals, a school psychologist, and district Highly Capable program staff. In accordance with state requirements, the committee makes identification decisions for services using multiple objective criteria to identify students who are in need of highly capable services.
