Referral/Appeal/Portfolio Process
Highly Capable referral window now closed
The Highly Capable referral window was open December 2 (12:01 a.m.) – December 15, 2024 (11:59 p.m.). Additional information can be found on our Referral/Appeal/Portfolio and Identification Assessments
We are aware that the links for the Appeal Form and the Portfolio Review Request Form are not working in our eligibility letter for students currently enrolled in LWSD. If you are trying to access either form, please use this link.
Referral process
In accordance with new Washington State Law, LWSD is implementing the following changes for 2024-25 HiCap referral process:
- Students in grades 2 and 5 will participate in universal screening to review existing district data as well as results of universally administered cognitive assessment. This is a one step process, where all data is reviewed at once.
- Families have the ability to opt-out of universal screening through Skyward
- Students from all other grades (K, 1st, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th, 8th) can be conveniently referred for highly capable service consideration in Skyward.
- Students in all other grades K-8 may participate in the referral process for highly capable services. The referral process is a two-step process, where existing data is reviewed in order to determine if additional data is needed, such as additional assessment.
- All students who are referred or are part of the universal screener will have their body of evidence reviewed.
- More information about a student’s body of evidence can be found on Identification Assessments.
Skyward help
Appeal and portfolio request process
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 Placement Committee (MPC) 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 MPC
**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)
Private/Homeschool families
Community Update: PS/HS Referral and Screening Process 2024-2025
- Lake Washington School District approaches the identification of highly capable services through a review of students body of evidence, to include multiple data points of existing district data. In order to provide a similar consideration for private and home-schooled students, we will be moving to a two-step process for private school and homeschool families. The first step in this process is for families to submit a comprehensive portfolio demonstrating high academic assessment criteria. LWSD’s Multi-disciplinary Placement Committee will review portfolios in order to determine if additional assessment is necessary.
Private school and homeschool families referral form
- If additional data is determined to be needed, the next step in the process may involve a cognitive assessment and additional academic assessments, administered by LWSD staff. More information about assessment dates will be provided when available.
- LWSD performs its own cognitive tests and therefore does not accept private evaluations of cognitive measures.
- *Kindergarten Only: Due to the limited time in school and available data, identified kindergarten students typically score in the top 1–2 percentile. Cognitive assessments are not required for kindergarten students to receive highly capable services.
- Comprehensive portfolio review:
- Private/homeschool families may participate in the highly capable process through a comprehensive portfolio review. Portfolios should include:
- Standardized assessment data from current and past school years, for a total of two years. Examples include iReady, STAR, FastBridge, Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBAC), IOWA, MAP, etc.
- Most recent two years of standardized math assessments
- Most recent two years of standardized reading/ELA assessments
- Current and previous year’s report card
- Contact information for current classroom teacher, who will be completing a short questionnaire about your child’s classroom-based academic progress.
- The classroom/teacher input survey will provide the MPC with additional data points in determining student needs, and will not be used as the sole determiner of whether a student is identified for services.
- If school does not provide standardized assessments, family must provide an official letter on school letterhead showing student’s current levels according to monitoring and measurement tool school uses.
- LWSD does not accept private evaluations in lieu of school-based academic scores
- Please note, beginning in the 2024-2025 school year LWSD will be implementing a $75 processing fee for all private/homeschool applicants.* This fee covers professionals required to review each student’s data, proctors for any additional assessments, facilities use for review and assessment, cost of any additional assessments, administrative processing fees, etc.
Pay private & homeschool fee here
*Note: OSPI has confirmed that LWSD is authorized to charge an additional fee for HiCap referrals for private school and homeschool students. This fee is necessary as the referral and testing process for these students is distinct and separate from the process provided to public school students. OSPI allows such fees to help cover the associated costs.
- Private/homeschool families may participate in the highly capable process through a comprehensive portfolio review. Portfolios should include:
- Students must be enrolled in LWSD schools in order to participate in highly capable services.
- Once you submit the Referral MS Form, a confirmation message will appear on your screen. This serves as your acknowledgment that we have received your request. We kindly ask for your patience and understanding as we process a high volume of referrals. Thank you for your cooperation!
- **Important** Only complete referrals and portfolios will be reviewed by MPC. All student data must be received by December 22, 2024 (11:59 p.m.). Incomplete files will be closed at that time.
Accelerated Programs
Contact information
Phone: 425-936-1238
Fax: 425-936-1325
Department email: AccPro@lwsd.org
Myra Arnone | Director |
Crystal Batlle | Program Specialist |
Erin Fleshman | Program Specialist |
Ryan Smith | Program Specialist |
Britt Galen | Psychologist |
Laura Morgan | Program Supervisor |
Amanda Olson | Admin. Professional |
Carla Yamashiroya-Hedges | Admin. Professional |
Mailing address:
Lake Washington School District
Accelerated Programs Office
P.O. Box 97039
Redmond, WA 98073
Location:
Lake Washington School District Resource Center
16250 N.E. 74th Street
Redmond, WA 98052