Identification and Eligibility
Identification and Eligibility Process 2024-25
At SPS we are committed to honoring each student’s strengths while implementing a holistic evaluation of the existing and available data and information.
In the past three years, we have improved the way decisions are made and who is eligible for Advanced Learning services. The AL department is committed to serve students, particularly Black, Brown, and Native American students.
Effective July 23, 2023, a new section was passed in Senate Bill 5072 relating to advancing equity in the identification for services. The legislature has directed school districts to prioritize equitable identification of low-income students for participating in highly capable programs and services. Learn more about RCW 28A.185.030.
At SPS, it all begins with the Universal Screening review for students in grades 1-8. Families can find their eligibility decision letter in the Source. Below is a guide on how to access each family account:
- Source User Guide for Parents/Guardians English
- Source User Guide for Parents/Guardians Amharic
- Source User Guide for Parents/Guardians Chinese Simplified
- Source User Guide for Parents/Guardians Somali
- Source User Guide for Parents/Guardians Spanish
- Source User Guide for Parents/Guardians Vietnamese
The Universal Screening is a complete review of current and available student educational record data matched to specific criteria and benchmarks. It is structured to provide a holistic evaluation of each student’s strengths and a pattern of high academic achievement.
Multiple pathways for identification are used and the pathways are different to meet the characteristics of Advanced Learner and Highly Capable students who:
- Qualify for Free and Reduced-Price Lunch
- Receive McKinney-Vento Act services
- Qualify for Special Education services
- Are Multilingual Learners
- Qualify under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
- Show a need for services and do not have all required baseline data.
The data sources to identify students for AL or HC services may include, but are not limited to:
- Academic assessments from current and previous school year
- Demonstrated Performance in the classroom provided by teaching staff
- Current gradebook or report card
- Additional data if applicable:
- Language acquisition assessment for students receiving multilingual services; and
- Additional assessments in a student educational record that were used as part of a SPS Special Education evaluation, which resulted in a student receiving an individualized education program (IEP)
Our youngest students benefit from spending their first full school year (kindergarten) developing a pattern of high performance in the classroom. Beginning 2023-24, SPS kindergarten students will not be part of the formal process of HC or AL identification. In their first grade year, students will participate in the Universal Screening process for HC or AL eligibility decisions. Assessments and report cards from their kindergarten year, along with fall data from first grade will be used in their first Universal Screening.
Throughout the school year, teachers will get to know each kindergarten student and implement strategies from the Neighborhood School Model that provides high quality instruction with opportunities for every child to grow in an engaging, challenging, rewarding, and identity-affirming environment.
First grade students newly identified for services in 2024-25 will continue attending their neighborhood school in 2025-26, where they will receive services under the Neighborhood School Model. More details about the transition to the Neighborhood School Model.
We acknowledge the important and essential role parents/guardians have in the academic and social emotional outcomes of students. The Advanced Learning department offers parents/guardians the option to opt out their student from participating in the 2024-25 Identification and Eligibility process. The Opt-Out form will be available September 18 – October 31, 2024.
Highly Capable (HC) Services – By the end of February, parents/guardians will be notified by a letter when their student(s) are found eligible for HC services. Parents/guardians will need to provide consent for services using the Consent Form within 20 days of receiving the letter. All this information and the Consent Form will be included in the notification letter.
Advanced Learner (AL) Services – By the end of February, parents/guardians will be notified by a letter when their student(s) are found eligible for AL services. Parents/guardians can appeal the decision. Parents/guardians have 10 business day after the date marked in their notification letter to appeal. All this information will be included in the notification letter.
The appeals form will be available during the appeal process window in February, 2024.
Eligibility Criteria
The data collected and evaluated during this year’s Universal Screening is from Fall 2023 through the first assessment window of 2024-25 school year. To be automatically eligible for HC services, students must meet all baseline criteria in both Math and Reading.
Please click through the tabs below to see baseline eligibility criteria and additional data that will be considered for each grade level.
Math Baseline Eligibility:
- Three standardized test scores (MAP)
- 95 percentile or higher for HC
- 88 percentile or higher for AL
Reading Baseline Eligibility:
- Two standardized test scores (MAP)
- 95 percentile or higher for HC
- 88 percentile or higher for AL
- One standardized test score (DIBELS)
- 75 percentile or higher
Additional Data to be Considered:
If your student does not meet the baseline eligibility criteria, multiple pathways are considered using additional data. These additional measures help us gain a comprehensive understanding of each student’s academic journey and potential need for services:
- Achieving 2 years worth of growth or more than two years on standardized tests (MAP) compared to peers
- Grades in Math and Reading of 3.6 or higher
- Indication from educational staff that the student can be successful in math 2+ years above their grade and/or reading 1+ year above their grade
- Lexile scores indicating student is performing well above grade level
Math Baseline Eligibility:
- Three standardized test scores (MAP)
- 95 percentile or higher for HC
- 88 percentile or higher for AL
Reading Baseline Eligibility:
- Two standardized test scores (MAP)
- 95 percentile or higher for HC
- 88 percentile or higher for AL
- One standardized test score (DIBELS)
- 75 percentile or higher
Additional Data to be Considered:
If your student does not meet the baseline eligibility criteria, multiple pathways are considered using additional data. These additional measures help us gain a comprehensive understanding of each student’s academic journey and potential need for services:
- Achieving 2 years worth of growth or more than two years on standardized tests (MAP) compared to peers
- Grades in Math and Reading of 3.6 or higher
- Indication from educational staff that the student can be successful in math 2+ years above their grade and/or reading 1+ year above their grade
- Lexile scores indicating student is performing well above grade level
Math Baseline Eligibility:
- Three standardized test scores (MAP)
- 95 percentile or higher for HC
- 88 percentile or higher for AL
Reading Baseline Eligibility:
- Three standardized test scores (MAP)
- 95 percentile or higher for HC
- 88 percentile or higher for AL
Additional Data to be Considered:
If your student does not meet the baseline eligibility criteria, multiple pathways are considered using additional data. These additional measures help us gain a comprehensive understanding of each student’s academic journey and potential need for services:
- Achieving 2 years worth of growth or more than two years on standardized tests (MAP) compared to peers
- Grades in Math and Reading of 3.6 or higher
- Indication from educational staff that the student can be successful in math 2+ years above their grade and/or reading 1+ year above their grade
- Lexile scores indicating student is performing well above grade level
Math Baseline Eligibility:
- Three standardized test scores (MAP/SBA)
- 95 percentile or higher for HC
- 88 percentile or higher for AL
Reading Baseline Eligibility:
- Three standardized test scores (MAP/SBA)
- 95 percentile or higher for HC
- 88 percentile or higher for AL
Additional Data to be Considered:
If your student does not meet the baseline eligibility criteria, multiple pathways are considered using additional data. These additional measures help us gain a comprehensive understanding of each student’s academic journey and potential need for services:
- Achieving 2 years worth of growth or more than two years on standardized tests (MAP) compared to peers
- Grades in Math and Reading of 3.6 or higher
- Indication from educational staff that the student can be successful in math 2+ years above their grade and/or reading 1+ year above their grade
- Lexile scores indicating student is performing well above grade level
Math Baseline Eligibility:
- Three standardized test scores (MAP/SBA)
- 95 percentile or higher for HC
- 88 percentile or higher for AL
Reading Baseline Eligibility:
- Three standardized test scores (MAP/SBA)
- 95 percentile or higher for HC
- 88 percentile or higher for AL
Additional Data to be Considered:
If your student does not meet the baseline eligibility criteria, multiple pathways are considered using additional data. These additional measures help us gain a comprehensive understanding of each student’s academic journey and potential need for services:
- Achieving 2 years worth of growth or more than two years on standardized tests (MAP) compared to peers
- Grades in Math and Reading of 3.6 or higher
- Indication from educational staff that the student can be successful in math 2+ years above their grade and/or reading 1+ year above their grade
- Lexile scores indicating student is performing well above grade level
Math Baseline Eligibility:
- Three standardized test scores (MAP/SBA)
- 95 percentile or higher for HC
- 88 percentile or higher for AL
Reading Baseline Eligibility:
- Three standardized test scores (MAP/SBA)
- 95 percentile or higher for HC
- 88 percentile or higher for AL
Additional Data to be Considered:
If your student does not meet the baseline eligibility criteria, multiple pathways are considered using additional data. These additional measures help us gain a comprehensive understanding of each student’s academic journey and potential need for services:
- Total number of A’s in most recent Math and ELA
- Summative responses on the Demonstrated Performance Tool (DPT) that highlight strengths in applying skills across various learning environments
- Indications of strengths aligned with the ‘literacy standards’
- Documentation that shows students performing above or exceeding grade-level standards
- Evidence of strengths in writing that demonstrate subject-based knowledge, when applicable
- Achieving actual growth of more than two years on standardized tests (SBA) compared to peers
- Grades in Math and Reading of 3.6 or higher
- Lexile scores indicating student is performing well above grade level
Math Baseline Eligibility:
- Three standardized test scores (MAP/SBA)
- 95 percentile or higher for HC
- 88 percentile or higher for AL
Reading Baseline Eligibility:
- Three standardized test scores (MAP/SBA)
- 95 percentile or higher for HC
- 88 percentile or higher for AL
Additional Data to be Considered:
If your student does not meet the baseline eligibility criteria, multiple pathways are considered using additional data. These additional measures help us gain a comprehensive understanding of each student’s academic journey and potential need for services:
- Total number of A’s in most recent Math and ELA
- Summative responses on the Demonstrated Performance Tool (DPT) that highlight strengths in applying skills across various learning environments
- Indications of strengths aligned with the ‘literacy standards’
- Documentation that shows students performing above or exceeding grade-level standards
- Evidence of strengths in writing that demonstrate subject-based knowledge, when applicable
- Achieving actual growth of more than two years on standardized tests (SBA) compared to peers
- Grades in Math and Reading of 3.6 or higher
- Lexile scores indicating student is performing well above grade level
Math Baseline Eligibility:
- Three standardized test scores (MAP/SBA)
- 95 percentile or higher for HC
Reading Baseline Eligibility:
- Three standardized test scores (MAP/SBA)
- 95 percentile or higher for HC
In grade 8, we only identify students for Highly Capable services.
Additional Data to be Considered:
If your student does not meet the baseline eligibility criteria, multiple pathways are considered using additional data. These additional measures help us gain a comprehensive understanding of each student’s academic journey and potential need for services:
- Total number of A’s in most recent Math and ELA
- Summative responses on the Demonstrated Performance Tool (DPT) that highlight strengths in applying skills across various learning environments
- Indications of strengths aligned with the ‘literacy standards’
- Documentation that shows students performing above or exceeding grade-level standards
- Evidence of strengths in writing that demonstrate subject-based knowledge, when applicable
- Achieving actual growth of more than two years on standardized tests (SBA) compared to peers
- Grades in Math and Reading of 3.6 or higher
- Lexile scores indicating student is performing well above grade level
Eligibility and Appeals Timeline 2024-25
Notification Letter to 1st-8th grade families about the AL Universal Screening.
September 18, 2024
Notification Letter to 1st-8th grade families about the AL Universal Screening.
Parents/Students can opt out from participating in the annual process. Translated opt-out forms available on public website.
September 18-October 31, 2024
Parents/Students can opt out from participating in the annual process. Translated opt-out forms available on public website.
The AL Team prepares list of students participating in the Universal Screening.
October 30, 2024
The AL Team prepares list of students participating in the Universal Screening.
Teaching Staff is invited to submit their input and feedback using the Demonstrated Performance Tool (DPT). Support available for teaching staff during DPT implementation.
Nov. 18-Dec. 20, 2024
Teaching Staff is invited to submit their input and feedback using the Demonstrated Performance Tool (DPT). Support available for teaching staff during DPT implementation.
The AL team prepares DPT responses for each student participating in the Universal Screening.
December 23-31, 2024
The AL team prepares DPT responses for each student participating in the Universal Screening.
Universal Screening/new eligibility decisions are made by the Multi-disciplinary Placement Committee (MPC).
January 21-31, 2025
Universal Screening/new eligibility decisions are made by the Multi-disciplinary Placement Committee (MPC).
Universal Screening continues
February 1-14, 2025
Universal Screening continues
Eligibility Letters are sent to families and posted in The Source.
February 19-22, 2025
Eligibility Letters are sent to families and posted in The Source.
Families can submit an appeal for 1st-8th grade students only.
February 19-March 7, 2025
Families can submit an appeal for 1st-8th grade students only.
The MPC will review each appeal and provide a written decision to the parent/guardian within 25 school days of the receipt of the appeal form and all documentation/proof.
March 12-14, 2025
The MPC will review each appeal and provide a written decision to the parent/guardian within 25 school days of the receipt of the appeal form and all documentation/proof.
List of students with final decision after appeal is available for schools.
March 20, 2025
List of students with final decision after appeal is available for schools.
Final Eligibility decision letters are sent to families.
March 26, 2025
Final Eligibility decision letters are sent to families.
Parents provide consent for Highly Capable services.
April 30, 2025
Parents provide consent for Highly Capable services.