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Board adopts expanded highly capable screening and program model
Summary
The Dieringer School District board voted to approve an expanded highly capable (HiCap) model that adds universal screeners in 2nd and 5th grades, uses CogAT and MAP data, clusters elementary students and budgets $49,897 for HiCap supports.
The Dieringer School District board on Monday approved revisions to the district’s highly capable services, expanding screening and clarifying instructional placement for advanced learners.
Superintendent Paula Dawson told the board the district is broadening identification beyond nominations and end-of-year testing to add universal screeners at second and fifth grades, and to use classroom performance and teacher observation to reduce bias in selection. "We are now also trying to eliminate some of that bias by doing screeners at second grade and fifth grade," Dawson said.
Under the revised model, elementary students identified as highly capable will be clustered in classrooms of roughly five to seven so teachers can provide differentiated instruction; middle-school students will be placed in next-level classes or other acceleration options. District staff will use the CogAT screener for second graders, full CogAT testing in the spring when appropriate, and MAP/RIT results at upper grades to identify candidates for HiCap services.
Dawson said the district allocated $49,897 for HiCap this year to cover teacher release time, planning and professional development, screeners and related expenses. "That pays for teachers to get some release time… and additional plan time," she said.
Board members asked about partial qualifications (for math or ELA only); Dawson said the district can now provide subject-specific HiCap services rather than a single, all-or-nothing designation. A board member also asked whether the district plans to restore a dedicated program director; Dawson said leadership is currently shared within student services and she oversees the work, with the possibility of restoring a dedicated director in the future.
After discussion, a board member moved to accept the HiCap plan as presented; the motion was seconded and the board approved the plan by voice vote.
The district plans to run the new screeners in November, review disaggregated longitudinal data later this year, and present further results in November or December.
