February 26, 2021

 

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s):

 

As part of the districtwide identification process for the Highly Capable Program, White Pass School District administers the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) screener to all third grade and all fifth-grade students and any new student each Fall. Any student can be nominated for testing if a teacher or parent feels that a child meets the following areas:

 

WAC 392-170-036 “…students who are highly capable may possess, but are not limited to, these learning characteristics: (1) Capacity to learn with unusual depth of understanding, to retain what has been learned, and to transfer learning to new situations; (2) Capacity and willingness to deal with increasing levels of abstraction and complexity earlier than their chronological peers; (3) Creative ability to make unusual connections among ideas and concepts; (4) Ability to learn quickly in their area(s) of intellectual strength; and (5) Capacity for intense concentration and/or focus.”

 

The testing/screener window is March 1st through March 4th. COVID-19 has pushed back our testing this year. Please make every effort to have your child attend school during the testing week if they have been nominated for testing. Highly Capable Program Applications for nominating a student can be found on the district’s website.

 

Results from the CogAT tests are used as one of multiple information sources to identify students who are most likely to benefit from the Highly Capable Program and advanced coursework in school. Students who score well on the screener will receive the full CogAT test. Parents can access their child’s CogAT results through Skyward Family Access.

 

Cognitive Ability Test (CogAT)

The CogAT is a group-administered assessment which measures students learned reasoning abilities developed through in-school and out-of-school experiences. It is a reliable and valid way to anchor other measures when deciding if a student should be placed in accelerated coursework. It is a measure of a student’s potential to succeed in school- related tasks. It is not a measure of general intelligence or IQ.

 

Student Preparation

No special preparation is required for the CogAT. However, you can encourage your child to answer all the items and give their best effort. We also recommend your child have a good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast on testing days.

 

Resources

For more information on CogAT screener, visit the Riverside Publishing Website at www.riversidepublishing.com/products/cogAT7.

 

If you have additional questions regarding the CogAT testing or the district’s Highly Capable Program please call 360-497-5816.

 

Sincerely,

Christopher Schumaker

Highly Capable Coordinator