Facts about the Self-Contained Highly Capable Program
The self-contained Highly Capable
Program in the Shoreline School District is currently offered at
two elementary schools: Ridgecrest and Meridian Park.
Students who live on the east side of I-5 attend Ridgecrest.
Students on the west side of I-5 attend Meridian Park.
Students who are out-of-district boundary exceptions are placed
based on space availability in the appropriate
classroom.
Class size varies
year-to-year as there is no wait list for this program. Most
classes are "split" or have two grade levels in one classroom with
one teacher.
The curriculum used in
the program is exactly the same as the curriculum used in the
general education classrooms, however, the students are taught
using the curriculum one grade level above their age grade.
For example, second graders are taught the third grade reading,
writing, and math curriculum. A three-year cycle is used for
science and social studies to assure there is no repetition in the
units taught.
Homework requirements in
the self-contained program are appropriate to the age and ability
of the student. Often students have choices about the way in
which they demonstrate their knowledge. As a result, the
amount of work necessary to complete the work may
vary.
Grades are
standards-based just as they are with the general education
classrooms. The progress report used for the self-contained
program is the same as the one used for general education students
but notes that grades are based on student achievement given
a curriculum that is a
grade level above their age/grade.
Every spring, parents of
students who have recently qualified for the program are invited to
attend an Open House at our self-contained program. Parents
have an opportunity to meet the teacher/s and observe classroom
instruction and student interaction. Usually there is also
time to ask questions of the teachers and principal to gain a
better understanding of the program.
Once tests have been
scored and student and eligibility for the program has been
determined, a letter is sent home to parents. Parents whose
students did not qualify have a right to appeal the decision to an
Appeals Committee comprised of an outside appeals officer,
teachers, administrators and parents. Details of the appeal
process are available through the Highly Capable Program
office.
Parents of students who
qualified for the program have two options: 1) placing their
child in the self-contained program, or 2) keeping their child with
their age-alike class in their home school. Students who stay
in their home school do not receive an individualized program,
however, general education classroom teachers are made aware of the
student's qualification and are provided training on appropriate
learning opportunities for gifted students.
Once a student is
eligible for the program (tested in), they are considered to be
"highly capable" until they graduate. Shoreline receives
highly capable funding from the state on a per-student basis.
These funds are dispersed to the schools that house the students
who have been determined to be "highly capable" (self-contained as
well as students who stay in the general education program).
As students move to the secondary level, the funding is allocated
to their respective middle school or high school and used to
support honors-level materials and activities.
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