Universal Screening
Each year, the Highly Capable office provides Universal Screening for all 2nd and 5th grade students for Highly Capable eligibility.
- Students in 2nd grade will be given the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT3) in the Fall as part of the universal screening.
- Students in 5th grade will be screened (reviewed) in the Spring, and no additional testing is required.
More information regarding screening and testing is sent to families with the option to decline by submitting an Opt-Out Form on the Highly Capable website.
Note: Makeup screening for 2nd grade students who were absent is in Spring.
Early Entrance to Kindergarten
Washington state law requires that students entering kindergarten in the fall turn five before midnight of August 31 of the enrollment year (WAC 392-335-010). Tacoma Public Schools offers an exception testing process for children whose fifth birthday falls between September 1 and October 31 of the current year and resides in district boundaries (WAC 392-335-025).
Early Entrance to Kindergarten (EEK) is a rigorous screening process to find out if a student is ready to start kindergarten early. In order to qualify, your child will need to complete and score highly on an advanced series of rigorous assessments and demonstrate an exceptional readiness for school. To increase the likelihood that your child will have a successful first year of school, he or she will be expected to meet standards at least six months above their chronological age in these assessed areas. Family's Guide to Kindergarten Readiness
If your student meets all of criteria above, please visit the Kindergarten Early Entrance Testing website in April for more information and instructions for applying and scheduling an appointment.
Referrals
Current students in all grades can be referred for Highly Capable eligibility with services to begin the following school year. Students can be referred by their parent/guardian, teachers, community members, or through self-referral by submitting the Online Referral Form. Referrals are accepted and processed throughout the year and are placed on the Highly Capable Multidisciplinary Placement Committee (MPC) calendar for review in the spring. If additional data is required, a cognitive assessment may be given.
Note: All 2nd and 5th grade students will be screened, and a referral is not required. Referrals received after June 1st that require additional data and/or testing will be processed the following school year.
New Students
Students new to Tacoma Public Schools interested in Highly Capable services can take the new student screening in late August for services to begin the start of the school year. Once your student is registered, complete the Online Referral Form and contact the Highly Capable office in late July to schedule a screening appointment. Please have copies of current state, math and reading assessments available to be included in screening.
Students that qualified for Highly Capable services in another district or state, complete the Online Referral Form and email copies of current, state, math and reading assessments as well as any Highly Capable testing and/or qualification letters to hcservices@tacoma.k12.wa.us to be reviewed for services at Tacoma Public Schools.
