Referral/Appeal/Portfolio Process

Students in Kindergarten – 8th Grade

• Grades K, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8: 
  • Families who wish to opt in their student for highly capable consideration may do so through Skyward.
• Grades 1 & 5: 
  • All students in grades 1 & 5 will be universally screened for HiCap services 
  • Families who wish to opt their student out of universal screening for highly capable consideration may do so through Skyward.

If your student currently receives HiCap services in LWSD, participation in the HiCap screening process will not result in the ending or removal from receiving services. 

Students in Kindergarten and grades 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 may be referred for possible Highly Capable (HiCap) services by a parent/ guardian, teacher, peer, community member, or themselves.

*Please note: General windows for assessments are provided, as specific/individual school assessment schedules will be shared with families once established. All testing dates and timelines are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances that may occur. 

Students absent on the day of testing will be offered a make-up assessment. Students not tested during the October NNAT window, will receive make-up testing in January.

Families of all students must accept placement, submit an appeal or request a portfolio review within seven calendar days (one week) from receiving the results of screening for highly capable services.

• If the student is identified for HiCap services, the family must return signed acceptance letters to begin services.
• If the student is not identified to receive HiCap services, and you believe there was a miscalculation or misapplication of scores, you may submit an appeal.
• If the student was not determined to need HiCap services, and you do not agree with the decision, you may request a portfolio review.**

The Multidisciplinary Selection Committee (MSC) will review all appeals and portfolios; decisions of the MSC review are final and cannot be appealed.

Appeals and portfolio review requests will be processed by end of school year as they require a significant amount of time to review each student's unique data. Please note, students must be enrolled in and attending LWSD schools in order to request a portfolio review, as it involves a review of existing LWSD data.  

**Quantitative information analyzed during the portfolio review may contain additional district data: 
Dreambox or ALEKS Math
Lexia Core 5
Classroom-based assessment and performance data (gathered by LWSD, not family provided)
Student performance tasks (gathered by LWSD, not family provided)
Additional assessments as needed, as determined by the MSC

**Qualitative information analyzed during the portfolio review may contain additional data:
Parent/Family survey data 
Observational classroom data (collected by LWSD, not provided by family)

Community Update: PS/HS Referral and Screening Process 2023-2024 

We know our families have been waiting patiently for more details about how Accelerated Programs will provide access and opportunity to students attending private and homeschool (PS/HS) who live within our district boundaries.  

Below is the updated PS/HS referral process. The new referral process will consist of a single phase: 

• All students will participate in the NNAT3 cognitive exam 
• All students will participate in IOWA math and reading assessments  

Final service decisions will be communicated to all students referred at approximately the same time as LWSD students.  

Assessments will be administered in the month of December. Families should expect to receive more information about specific testing dates directly from Accelerated Programs.