Highly Capable Program

The Renton School District uses multiple measures to identify students who perform or show potential for performing at significantly advanced academic levels when compared with others of their age, experiences, and/or environments. Student data for this school year includes district-required in-class assessments in literacy, math, and cognition. 

Following assessment, the Multi-Disciplinary Committee (MDC) thoughtfully reviews student data. The MDC is made up of classroom teachers, a building principal, a school psychologist, the Highly Capable Program Team, district administrators, and Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment (CIA), Jon Stadler. 

Our goal is to identify academically highly capable students who would most benefit from a continuum of Highly Capable services in the Renton School District. There is no single cut score or threshold a student must meet.  We look at trends over time, focusing on student growth while considering the demographics of underrepresented student populations in an effort to ensure equity and remove barriers for low income students, as required by state law. 

Following the team’s decisions, families receive communication via email or letter regarding a student’s qualification for services, with the option to appeal the committee’s decision if desired.

For more information about specific assessments and their accompanying scores, please visit our district's Assessment page and use the "Understanding Assessments" tab. 

English-Learning students: In addition to ability and achievement assessments, the Washington English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA21) is used to evaluate students whose first language is not English to determine their ability for rapid language acquisition which can be a characteristic of highly capable learners.

Special Education students: Students who qualify for Highly Capable program services and also qualify for either special education services or a 504 plan are often referred to as twice-exceptional students. Additional data available for students with IEPs may be used in the identification process when relevant to determine a need for highly capable program services.

Parents/legal guardians have the right to appeal the district’s Highly Capable decision. Individuals appealing the selection committee’s decision must submit a completed appeals form or letter requesting a review of selection/placement decision. The written request must be provided within two weeks of the parent/legal guardian’s receipt of the decision (see form for exact date), include reasons for the appeal and provide additional evidence of significantly advanced cognitive or academic levels and/or outstanding intellectual or academic abilities. 

Parents/guardians are encouraged to contact HiCapID@rentonschools.us when initially pursuing an appeal so that our team can help identify which data points could help strengthen the appeal.

Appeal forms can be found on the right-side tool bar at the top of this page.

The exit process may be initiated for students who no longer demonstrate a need for highly capable program services. A request may be made by a teacher or  administrator for highly capable student identification and placement discontinuation. The Multi-Disciplinary Selection Committee will convene a meeting to review the student’s profile to determine if the student qualifies for program services based on assessment data and selection criteria. The multi-disciplinary selection committee may request additional evidence of student capabilities and/or willingness to participate in the program. If the committee determines that the student no longer qualifies for highly capable program services, it may be recommended that the student be exited from the program. The parent will be notified in writing of the meeting, the committee’s decision, and the appeal process.

A parent/legal guardian may request that the student be withdrawn from the program or a student may voluntarily withdraw from the program. A meeting will be convened by the Highly Capable Program Director to discuss the request. If the parent/legal guardian desires to withdraw the student from the program, the student will be exited from the program.