Highly Capable (Gifted)

Info for All Second Grade Students Participating in Testing:

• Assessments used to determine highly capable eligibility are the Cognitive Aptitude Test (CogAT), The Torrance Test of Creative Thinking (TTCT) and i-Ready Math and Reading.
• The i-Ready is replacing the IOWA Achievement test (see below) for elementary students beginning this year as the content assessment.
• The testing timeline can be found HERE.

Enrolled Students:

• Enrolled students will take i-Ready Reading and Math in classrooms during the school day during the January and February windows per the district testing calendar.
• The CogAT and TTCT will be administered in classrooms March 7, 8 , 9, and 10, 2023.

 Opt-Out of highly capable eligibility testing: To opt your enrolled student out of second grade highly capable program eligibility testing complete the opt-out form:

Opt-Out Form 

Private School and Home-Based Student Registration:

• Families who live in the the Issaquah School District boundaries with students attending home-based and private school settings may register a student to participate online.  Registration is now closed. Registrations were due by 4pm 12/9/2022.
• Registration is required to be submitted this early so accounts can be made for private and home-based students.
• Private school and home-based students will take i-Ready Math and Reading at the ISD Administration Building in January and February.  The timeline can be found HERE.
• School staff will contact families i February to provide more information about March CogAT and TTCT testing schedules.

REGISTER A PRIVATE SCHOOL/HOME-BASED STUDENT TO TEST

 

November kindergarten CogAT Screener testing results have been delayed. No full kindergarten CogAT testing will take place before the first winter break. The Highly Capable Program Office anticipates notifying families with results by email in early January.

Revised Timeline for students Participating in Full CogAT Testing:

Early January

• Families of students who meet the ISD Criteria for full Highly Capable Program testing will be notified. 

Mid to late January

• Full CogAT testing for eligible students will be administered during the school day at neighborhood schools by school staff.
• School staff from the neighborhood school will contact families directly with information about the testing schedule.
• Students will take i-Ready reading and math assessments in classrooms in January and February during the district established testing windows.

Early March

• Eligibility decisions for Primary Enrichment Program (PEP) services communicated by email and available on Family Access. 

Mid-March

•  Eligible students begin services.

i-Ready replaces IOWA for Highly Capable Program Universal Eligibility Testing

Beginning this year, overall winter i-Ready Reading and Math scores will be used for Kindergarten and Second Grade Highly Capable Program universal eligibility testing. In recent years, the IOWA Achievement Test has been used as the grade level content test for reading and math. These scores will be combined with CogAT scores for kindergarten and CogAT and TTCT scores for 2^nd grade students to determine eligibility for the Highly Capable Program.

Students will take i-Ready Reading and Math Assessments in the classroom with peers during the district windows. Staff will be trained to provide a standard testing environment and follow a standardized implementation plan. The K-5 i-Ready Testing window for Reading is January 12-26 and for Math is February 6 - 17.

Private school and home-based students will take i-Ready tests at the ISD Administration Building. The Reading test will be administrated on Wednesday, January 18. The Math test will be administered Wednesday, February 8 - Math. Logistics will be shared with participating private and home-based families directly by email.

Private school and home-based families must register online to participate by 12/9/2022 at 4:00 PM. 

For more information on the districts use of i-Ready, see Elementary District Assessments. 

For New Students to the District who have missed participation in the Kindergarten or Second Grade testing or were not able to refer during the September Referral window.  New Student and September Referrals will not be accepted for incoming Kindergarten and Second Grade Students as they are universally tested in class in the 2023-2024 school year.

 Refer a Student