Referral and Identification

DISTRICT ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS ARE RECEIVING REFERRALS AND CONDUCTING ASSESSMENTS THIS MONTH!

Parents may refer their children using this form: https://goo.gl/cWRw5K

Please read the information below to help you decide if your child would benefit from enrichment opportunities.

Washington County School District offers educational opportunities for students in grades 1-12 who show high academic abilities. In general, elementary students who may benefit from this program are working well above their age group in reading and mathematics. Secondary students who may benefit from this program are often those eligible for Honors, Advanced Placement, or Concurrent Enrollment classes. Please see below for more information about services offered and how to refer your child for identification and service.

Elementary

Each elementary school is encouraged to develop a plan for serving the needs of the academically gifted; each plan is specific to the school. A facilitator has been selected at each elementary to help coordinate referral, identification, and service. (Click here for a list of school representatives.) The facilitator works closely with the principal and the district specialist to create plans that meet the needs of their students. The facilitators also schedule testing at each elementary school. If you feel your child might benefit from a more challenging curriculum, please contact your school's facilitator or the district coordinator, Shauna Williams (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..) Linked is a chart that highlights the differences between learner types. This may be helpful to you as you determine what services will benefit your child.

The referral and identification process includes a teacher referral, a parent referral, and assessment. This document briefly explains the assessments given. If you have questions about the referral process or the assessments given, please contact Shauna Williams (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..)

In addition to the services offered at each school, two magnet schools (referred to as Advanced Learning Program or ALP) are open in the district. These schools have one classroom in each grade (two through five) that are comprised entirely of students that have been identified as benefitting from advanced curriculum, a quick pace, and deeper application. These classes are offered at Diamond Valley Elementary and Riverside Elementary. Students are identified and invited to this program through the referral process outlined above. For more information on the Advanced Learning Program, contact Shauna Williams (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..)

Secondary

The intermediate schools have selected a high ability facilitator. These school-based representatives help design and facilitate identification and service in grades 6 and 7. The intermediate facilitators have been diligently working on defining excellent service and creating quality resources-- that work in progress can be seen here. This work will enhance the already high levels of learning at each of our intermediate schools.

Middle School representatives meet to discuss effective service for our high ability 8th and 9th grade students. They identify those strategies that are working well, ways to enhance those further, and areas of need. This document shows the alignment work that has been done and continues to be done as well as links to resources. Please note that it is a live, working document.

Secondary schools vary by level and school in the services offered. Each school offers a selection of advanced or honors classes. Some of these are open to student selection and some require teacher or academic referral. Each high school offers Advanced Placement, concurrent enrollment, and honors classes. Please contact the counseling center at your school to determine the best service for your child.