Referrals for Hi Cap are being accepted now until November 30th, 2021

Complete form below and return it to either office or email it to info@oakvilleschools.org

Definition

Highly capable students are 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 student's 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. 

Students who are highly capable may possess, but are not limited to, these learning characteristics: 

• Capacity to learn with unusual depth of understanding, to retain what has been learned, and to transfer learning to new situations;
• Capacity and willingness to deal with increasing levels of abstraction and complexity earlier than other peers;
• Creative ability to make unusual connections among ideas and concepts;
• Ability to learn quickly in their area(s) of intellectual strength; and 
• Capacity for intense concentration and/or focus.  

Students can be identified for the Highly Capable Program for one of two ways: 

1. Referral Form. Referrals are accepted from the student, teachers, other staff, parents, students, and members of the community. 

2. A score in the 75 percentile or above on district benchmark testing in either reading or math.

Referrals for HiCap are being accepted now until November 30th, 2021.

After students are identified they will be screened using the CogAT or Cognitive Abilities Test. The CogAT is a  K–12 assessment intended to estimate students' learned reasoning and problem solving abilities through a battery of verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal test items. This test is administered online in a small group setting. Before a student can take the CogAT a parent or guardian must sign the "Permission to Test" form.

Screening takes place in December and January.

A multi-disciplinary selection team composed of a district administrator, psychologist or other individual who can interpret cognitive and achievement test results and a teacher will review data that has been collected for each of the nominated students. The multi-disciplinary selection committee is composed of: A special teacher (provided that if a special teacher is not available, a classroom teacher shall be appointed); a psychologist or other qualified practitioner with the training to interpret cognitive and achievement test results; a certified coordinator or administrator with the responsibility for the supervision of the district's highly capable program; and additional professionals if any, that the district deems desirable. 

The multi-disciplinary selection committee will evaluate individual student assessment profile data and make the selection decision based on:

1. A preponderance of evidence from the profile data demonstrating that a student is among the most highly capable;
2. Evidence of clear need for highly capable services; and 
3. Determination of which students would benefit the most from inclusion in the district's program.  

​A single assessment score or indicator will not prevent a student's selection for the HCP; however, individual pieces of evidence, if strong enough, can indicate that the student would benefit from these services. If properly validated test are not available, the professional judgment of the qualified district personnel shall determine eligibility of the student based upon evidence of cognitive and/or academic achievement. 

The district will: 

1. Notify parents of students who have been selected. Parents will receive a full explanation of the procedures for identification, an explanation of the process to exit a student from the program, the information on the district's program and the options that are available to identified students.

2. Obtain parental permission to place identified students in the program before any special services and programs are provide to the student.

3. Schedule a meeting of all such parents; and

4. Conduct an annual parent meeting to review each student’s educational plan.

Parents/legal guardians have the right to appeal the Multi-Disciplinary Selection Committee's decision. Individuals appealing the selection committee's decision must submit a completed appeals form or letter requesting review of selection/placement decision. The written request must include reasons for the appeal and, to support reconsideration, provide additional evidence of significantly advanced cognitive or academic levels and/or outstanding intellectual, academic, or creative abilities. 

The appeal request form and supporting evidence must be submitted to the district office within 10 school days of the Multi-Disciplinary Selection Committee's decision notification. 

The district's multidisciplinary selection committee will review the student's file, assessment profile data, and additional evidence provided in the request for appeal.

The decision of the appeals/multidisciplinary selection committee may include:

• Upholding the original decision of the Multidisciplinary Selection Committee;
• Reversing the decision of the Multidisciplinary Selection Committee; 

A decision will be made by the Appeals Committee within 14 school days after receipt of written request for reconsideration. The parent/legal guardian will be notified of the decision in writing.

Highly Capable Appeal Form