Welcome to LEAP (Learning Enrichment Achievement Program)

  • In compliance with new requirements from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), the screening process for LEAP (Learning Enrichment Achievement Program)/Highly Capable identification has changed. School districts are required to administer universal screeners two times during the elementary years, once in or before second grade, and again in or before sixth grade for identification and placement decisions (RCW 28A.185.030).

    To meet this requirement, EPS will administer the CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test) universal screener to all students in first grade and in fifth grade, unless a parent/guardian chooses to opt out. Send an email to highlycapable@everettsd.org to opt out of the universal screening process. No Parent/Guardian Referral for Testing Form is required for first grade and fifth grade universal screening.

    Screening:

    In kindergarten, the process of screening students begins with the submission of a Parent/Guardian Referral Testing Form by November 1, 2024. Referred students will be screened with the CogAT screener in January at their neighborhood school. 

      • The kindergarten screener takes approximately 45 minutes (including practice) but is not timed and requires no reading. Kindergarten students will look at pictures then click the circle under the picture that best matches the number, figure, or verbal relationship shown in the question. All oral instructions are provided only in English at this time.

    The CogAT Screener is given to kindergarten, 1st, and 5th grade students on a Chromebook with headphones to listen to instructions throughout the test. It consists of three out of the nine subtests from the complete CogAT, including Verbal/Picture Analogies, Number Analogies, and Figure Matrices. Each subtest includes practice questions to help students become familiar with the content and format of the subtests. These practice questions help students gain familiarity with the item formats and how to complete the different reasoning questions.

      • In first grade, the screener is used to identify students who might qualify for LEAP and/or for recommendation to take the full battery of tests for highly capable identification. 
      • In fifth grade, the screener is used to identify students who might qualify for LEAP and to support their course selection in middle school where students have access to advanced and accelerated options.

    The grade 1 screener takes approximately 45 minutes (including practice) but is not timed and requires no reading. Grade 1 students will look at a few pictures then click the circle under the picture that best matches the number, figure, or verbal relationship shown in the question. All oral instructions are provided only in English at this time.

    The grade 5 screener is of similar design and duration but is timed. Like grade 1 students, grade 5 students will also select the best item to complete analogies, but between words, numbers, or figures. All oral instructions are provided only in English at this time.

    The multidisciplinary selection committee will review the students' CogAT Screener results along with other data points, to determine possible selection for LEAP Services.

    If placement in LEAP is recommended, a parent/guardian must fill out the LEAP consent form, accepting or declining placement, sign and return the consent form by the posted deadline.

    If your child is identified for LEAP services, they will automatically continue in LEAP each subsequent year of elementary school unless the parent or guardian requests in writing to have the student exited from the program OR the student qualifies and accepts placement into the Highly Capable Program.

    Students who are identified and selected for LEAP, based on their CogAT score and other data points, receive enrichment in the same school and classroom they are in now starting second semester of the same school year. The focus of this program is not to give more work but to give challenging work. LEAP Services may include differentiation, enrichment activities, grouping with peers of similar ability, project-based learning or other activities that extend and deepen the learning experience.

    Identified LEAP students must submit a Highly Capable Referral Form in order to participate in highly capable testing. The highly capable referral process is separate from the LEAP Program.

    Exit Procedure:

    The Everett Public Schools, in compliance with the Washington State rules for Highly Capable Programs (WAC 392-170-047), has a procedure to allow students to exit LEAP. Students will be exited from the program for one of the following reasons:

    • Parent/guardian submits an Exit Form requesting that the student no longer take part in LEAP. In this case, the parent/guardian submits the LEAP Exit Form to exit the program and sends it to P-5 Instruction and Early Learning Programs, 3900 Broadway, Everett, WA 98201, or email to highlycapable@everettsd.org. A copy of all communication will be placed in the student’s file.
    • If it is evident that the student is consistently having difficulty in the program. School staff members, highly capable staff, and parents/guardians will meet to discuss student progress and support. Placement in HC classroom will be reviewed to determine if it is in the best interest of the student. 


    For inquiries, contact: 
    Highly Capable Program
    Krystal Gil, Administrative Assistant
    Lindsey de Carteret, Administrative Assistant
    425-385-4033
    highlycapable@everettsd.org