Highly Capable/Gifted Education

Mead School District is committed to identifying and providing for the intellectual, social, and emotional needs of our highly capable students in preparing them academically for college and career readiness.

Definition WAC 392-170-035
Students who perform or show potential for performing at significantly advanced academic levels when compared with others of their age, experiences, or environments. Outstanding abilities are seen within students' general intellectual aptitudes, specific academic abilities, and/or creative productivities within a specific domain. These students are present not only in the general populace, but are present within all protected classes (http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28A.642.010) according to chapters 28A.640 and 28A.642 RCW.

Each year, in accordance with RCW 28A.185.030, school districts across Washington are required to implement procedures for the referral, assessment, and selection of students for highly-capable designation. Referrals may be received for any K-12 student from teachers, other staff, parents, students, and members of the community. Mead School District currently uses the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) to help with this process. Being designated as a highly capable learner gives parents and the school more information about the student’s learning needs.

The CogAT, along with prior District and/or State assessments, are among the multiple measures used as part of the evaluation process to determine if a student qualifies to be designated as highly capable. The CogAT measures a student’s general abstract reasoning and their verbal, quantitative, and non-verbal abilities.

Questions? Please contact Director: Robin Placzek | robin.placzek@mead354.org | 509-465-6034

Program Goals
Highly capable students will receive accelerated and enhanced learning opportunities to advance academic achievement and growth through a menu of options. Services will be designed to address the unique learning needs of each student and therefore, may vary from one student to the next. 

Annual Notification
Annual public notification for any major identification window shall be made in multiple ways such as our district and school websites, social media, and other communication channels at our various school sites.

New/Transfer Students
Out-of-district transfer students that have qualified in that district’s highly capable program are not automatically enrolled. Test scores and placement letters from the other district may be used as long as they meet our placement criteria. Students may need to re-test in Mead. New students or transfer students with former Highly Capable designation need to be reevaluated for identification within 3 months of enrollment.