Highly Capable Program

Mount Vernon School District is committed to equitable identification and uses two main pathways to find students who may qualify for HiCap services:

1. Universal screening

Every student is automatically screened at two points — in 2nd grade and 5th grade. The district reviews at least two pieces of information for each student, including standardized test scores, classroom performance, or other assessments.

2. Referrals

Any student at any grade level can be referred for HiCap consideration — not just those in screened grades. Referrals can come from teachers, parents/guardians, or the student.

If your child is identified through screening or referral as someone who may qualify, the district will reach out to you before doing any further testing.

Assessment is thorough and uses multiple sources of information, not just a single test or data point. The goal is to understand each child's unique strengths and needs. Assessments may include:

• Star Reading or a similar reading assessment
• Star Math or a similar math assessment
• Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)
• Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) in English Language Arts and/or Math

After assessments are complete, a team of trained professionals — the Multi-Disciplinary Selection Committee — reviews all of the information gathered for your child. The committee includes:

• A teacher
• A psychologist or other qualified professional who can interpret test results
• A district administrator or coordinator who oversees the HiCap Service Model
• A multilingual specialist or multilingual program administrator

The committee evaluates the universal screening results, any further individual assessment, and available district data, and makes the selection decision based on:

1. Strong evidence from multiple data sources indicating a need for accelerated learning opportunities and enhanced instruction; and
2. Evidence of a clear need for highly capable services.

A single assessment score or indicator will not prevent a student's selection; however, individual pieces of evidence, if strong enough, can indicate that the student would benefit from these services.

1. Parents/guardians will be notified in writing if their child qualifies for HiCap services.
2. Parents/guardians will receive the MVSD Highly Capable Service Model Guide, which fully explains the identification process, program options, and the exit process.
3. The district will obtain your permission before providing services. Your child will not receive any HiCap services until the district has your permission.

2nd & 3rd grade — identification and placement

Students identified as potentially eligible are placed in a HiCap cluster classroom at their home elementary school, alongside other 3rd graders who may also be eligible. Their teacher has received specialized training in supporting advanced learners.

In 3rd grade, students receive approximately two hours of pull-out instruction each week, participating in project-based learning units that integrate reading, writing, research, science, math, and hands-on activities. HiCap Coordinators monitor progress by observing students in their general education classrooms, collaborating with students and teachers, and providing additional opportunities for students to demonstrate their strengths.

4th & 5th grade — the Voyager Program at Jefferson Elementary

Students who qualify at the end of 3rd grade are offered a spot in the Voyager Program at Jefferson Elementary — a full-time program requiring a two-year commitment during 4th and 5th grade. Instruction is provided in English only, and students continue to participate in specialists such as Health, Music, PE, and Library, as well as recess and lunch with peers. Core instruction in reading, writing, math, science, and social studies is primarily project-based. Andy Bishop teaches 4th- and 5th-grade ELA and Social Studies, while Chad Norman teaches Math and Science; both bring extensive experience designing research-based learning experiences for gifted students.

Madison dual-language students

If your child attends Madison and you choose to remain in the dual-language program for 4th and 5th grade, they will receive approximately 2 hours of HiCap pull-out services each week.

5th grade — identification and placement

Students identified as Highly Capable in 5th grade who are not enrolled in the Voyager Program may qualify in quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, or both, which determines placement into advanced science and/or advanced English Language Arts courses in 6th grade.

HiCap services for middle school are centered at LaVenture Middle School and are designed to support advanced learners through individualized placement and enrichment. Academically ready students may participate in advanced coursework in their qualifying areas, including English Language Arts, math, and/or science.

Incoming sixth-grade students enrolled in the Voyager Program are considered for either accelerated 7th-grade math or 6th-grade core math (with built-in enrichment), based on a collaborative review of multiple data points including academic performance and developmental readiness.

Students identified as Highly Capable in 5th grade who are not enrolled in the Voyager Program (or who were offered but declined a spot) may qualify in quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, or both, which determines placement into advanced science and/or advanced ELA courses in 6th grade. All students who qualified in quantitative reasoning as 5th graders, and those who qualified as 3rd graders but declined a Voyager spot, will be placed in 6th-grade core math (with built-in enrichment) and considered for an advanced math course as 7th graders.

Placement decisions are made by a team that may include classroom teachers, the HiCap Coordinator, Multilingual Learner Specialist, and the school psychologist. Families are encouraged to contact their child's teacher or the district HiCap Coordinator with questions about placement and next steps.

HiCap services continue through high school and may include advanced coursework and other individualized options to meet each student's academic needs.

If your child was not identified for services and you believe they should have been, you have the right to appeal.

1. Submit a written appeal (a letter or completed appeals form) to the Teaching, Learning, and Leadership Department. Include the reasons for your appeal and any additional evidence of your child's advanced abilities.
2. Submit your appeal within 10 school days of receiving the Multi-Disciplinary Selection Committee's decision.
3. The committee serves as the appeals committee and will review your appeal and notify you of their decision within 15 school days — either upholding or reversing the original decision.
4. If you still disagree, you may appeal further to the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching, Learning, and Leadership, who will make a final decision within 10 school days.

There are two ways a student might exit the HiCap Service Model:

1. The district initiates an exit

In some cases, a teacher or HiCap administrator may feel a student no longer needs services. If this happens, the Multi-Disciplinary Selection Committee will schedule a meeting and invite you as the parent/guardian. Together, the team reviews your child's profile and current data. If the committee determines your child no longer qualifies, they may recommend an exit. You will be notified in writing and given information about your right to appeal.

2. The parent/guardian initiates an exit

Parents/guardians always have the right to request that their child discontinue HiCap services. A meeting will be arranged with the HiCap Coordinator or the Teaching, Learning & Leadership Director to talk through your request. If you still wish to withdraw your child, the district will discontinue services. If your child later wishes to rejoin, the Multi-Disciplinary Selection Committee will determine whether a new assessment is needed.