1. Shelton School District Hi Cap Program Review Results and Recommendations for 2014-15 April 29, 2014

2.  Beginning with 2014-15 school year all districts are required to provide highly capable programs and services for students in Grades K-12  Districts must submit a Board approved program plan to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction  Districts must have clearly defined written nomination, screening, assessment, and selection procedures that use multiple objective criteria for identification of students requiring services  Districts must provide a continuum of services to students from grades K-12  Each district is required to assign appropriate values to Hi Cap students in Skyward, which uploads to the state information system (CEDARS) New Requirements

3.  The Hi Cap Program is not a “place” with a fixed number of slots to fill  Highly Capable Students should have options from a continuum of services that best meet their specific, individual needs  Hi Cap not a categorical program – it is part of the basic education program  Each building will need to adjust their RTI systems and program offerings in significant ways to provide appropriate services for highly capable students The Mindshift

4.  Convene a study committee representing all schools  Review current programs and services  Develop an understanding of new requirements  Attend conferences, webinars, and workshops to learn about research and best practices in education of highly capable students  Hold parent/community forums and disseminate surveys (paper and online) to gather input  Survey students at each level to gather input  Develop district plan based on research, best practices, and student/parent/community feedback  Have plan reviewed by program evaluation expert and develop strategy to ensure program goals are met Program Review/Plan Process

5.  We should provide opportunities for Hi Cap students to be with their intellectual peers  We need a broader set of options and services to better meet the needs of all Hi Cap students, including more systematic options for acceleration  We should have options at each grade level and school so students do not need to leave their home school for services  We need a better system of communication about available services  We need to provide professional development to all staff about how to meet the needs of Hi Cap students Conclusions from Research

6. 2014-2015  Develop improved communications protocols  Identify students grades K, 2, 5 – continue or re-enroll students in grades 6-12 and flag in Skyward/CEDARS  Improve opportunities for enrichment through RTI intervention groupings and enrichment academies  Implement new advanced classes at Middle School/Junior High School  Provide professional development for staff and plan/prepare for implementation of cluster groupings in 2015-16  Complete obligations for 4/5 self contained class  Pilot Iowa Acceleration Scale (IAS) for whole grade acceleration  Develop procedures for early entrance to Kindergarten  Initiate Advisory Committee for Program Monitoring and Evaluation Transition Plans

7. 2015-2016  Continue to identify students and flag in Skyward/CEDARS  Implement early entrance to Kindergarten  Possibly transition 4/5 self contained class  Implement cluster classes as feasible in grades 1-7  Consider full implementation of Iowa Acceleration Scale at all grades K-8  Continue to provide professional development to staff on critical issues  Continue Advisory Committee Monitoring/Evaluation of new program options (make adjustments as necessary) Transition Plans

8.  1.0 FTE 4/5 self contained teacher (2014-15 -- $80,000 in current budget)  1.0 FTE Advanced Academic Program Facilitator (in addition to existing 4/5 teacher, or eliminate 4/5 position and create K-12 program facilitator position for 2015-16 -- $80,000 new)  Purchase of instructional materials (tiered interventions and/or enrichment academies -- TBD)  Purchase of testing instruments ($10 – 15,000)  Professional development -- TBD  Expenditures other than an additional 1.0 FTE for 2014-15 can be absorbed within existing Teaching and Learning budget Cost Considerations

9.  The Hi Cap Study Committee recommends approval of the Shelton School District Advanced Academic Program Plan on April 29, 2014  Once the plan is approved, staff will begin communications and procedures for identification of students for advanced academic services in 2014-15  The Hi Cap Study Committee recommends adoption of the proposed policies (2190 and 2195), preferably on or before June 24, 2014  The Hi Cap Study Committee recommends adoption of new instructional materials to provide RTI interventions for highly capable students at grades K-7, preferably on or before June 24, 2014 (to be determined)  The Hi Cap Study Committee recommends addition of an Advanced Academic Program Facilitator position, either through addition of 1.0 FTE in 2014-15, and/or restructuring of 4/5 teacher position in 2015-16 Committee Recommendations

10. Questions?