Dear Colleagues– The OSPI Highly Capable Program team is here to support you in the 2020–21 school year as you conduct identification and deliver services to students. Please remember that identified Highly Capable students must be served, and the required 2019-2020 annual identification cycle must be completed.
Highly Capable apportionment for 2019–20 must be expended by August 31, 2020. There is no carryover in the law for Highly Capable apportionment.
FAQ
How can we complete the required annual identification process for Highly Capable? You may be unable to follow your usual identification procedure, and that is acceptable. There are several options for districts to complete your disrupted 2019–20 identification process.
- Use the data you already have for each student. Include standardized assessments, teacher checklists, classroom performance, grades, and qualitative measures going back over time. As always, avoid overreliance on standardized assessments such as Cognitive Abilities Test. Consider that with CogAT prep resources available online, that assessment may not be valid nor an equitable measure. Look for areas of strength relative to others of the same age, experience, or environments. Convene your Multidisciplinary Selection Committees virtually to discuss referred students’ need for Highly Capable services.
- Conduct identification activities in small groups, pending approval of state and district for safe, limited building use. In the interest of equity, be sure to provide transportation for any student who needs it.
- Develop a plan to conduct identification at the start of school in the fall and place students as soon as possible to receive services.
The National Association for Gifted Children (www.nagc.org) has released guidance that may be helpful, including:
Adjusting Identification Services for the 2020–2021 School Year in the Time of COVID
District Highly Capable Program Plan–Form Package (FP) 217
The District Highly Capable Plan (iGrants FP 217) which is required for the 2020–21 school year launched on August 24, 2020. The deadline is September 30, 2020, and we will reopen form package pages for districts to make any necessary changes. School Board minutes are to be uploaded after approval of the District Plan. Apportionment will begin for districts when FP 217 is in “Request OSPI Approval” status.
K–12 Highly Capable Virtual Office Hour for Program Coordinators and Special Office Hour for New Coordinators.
Please join the virtual open Office Hour hosted by K–12 Highly Capable (HiCap) on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, from 9 to 10 am. This is an opportunity for HiCap coordinators to share ideas with each other. We will establish breakout room discussions based on specific needs, grade levels, or program models. Topics may include planning identification and services for HiCap and other students, resource sharing, tips for online learning and teaching, questions for further investigation, and opportunities to connect with other Coordinators for Highly Capable. No registration is required.
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/3607256171
New Highly Capable Program Coordinators are invited to a special Office Hour on Tuesday, September 15, 2020, from 9 to 10 am. Topics will include orientation to the Highly Capable FP 217 and 250, requirements of the RCWs and WACs, research-based practices and resources, and Q&A.
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/3607256171
Professional Learning Options for Teachers of Advanced Learners
Here are Professional Learning resources to investigate on your own. Some are free; others have cost. All are allowable activities for Highly Capable apportionment.
Washington Association of Educators of Talented and Gifted Annual Conference
Join us for 3 days of learning from nationally renowned experts in the field and earn up to 18 free clock hours.
Check out our full speaker lineup and schedule here.
Register now and get a special code and link that you can share with friends and colleagues. You'll earn a $50 credit for each registration generated from your link up to your registration amount. Plus anyone who uses your link to register will receive $50 off their registration. Don't pass up on this deal. Share the word!
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Project Based Learning Podcast Series
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The Project is an audio experience produced by PBLWorks. Hosts Laureen Adams and Stanley Richards dive deep into the power, the potential, the pitfalls, and the possibilities of Project Based Learning – to help you, your students, and your colleagues get the most out of PBL.
Listen & Subscribe: https://tunein.com/podcasts/Education-Podcasts/The-Project-p1355018/?topicid=156339710
Universal Design for Learning Symposium on-demand access
CAST's Annual UDL Symposium
Our annual UDL Symposium is where leaders in the field come together to go beyond the basics of Universal Design for Learning and explore emerging topics that impact the world of learning.
CAST UDL Designing for Equity on demand
November 12 – 17, 2020
Come for the Magic
Join the more than 2,000 educators, researchers, parents, advocates, and policymakers who support gifted children around the country and the world.
Attend and choose from more than 250 educational sessions, have conversations with the leaders in the gifted field, enjoy numerous networking events, review the newest products to support gifted children.
Learn More in the NAGC20 Registration Brochure
Best wishes for a good start to your school year.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us at HighlyCapable@k12.wa.us with any questions. We’re here to help!
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