• Elementary Screening and Testing Information

    In Everett Public Schools, students are screened and tested with a variety of assessment tools to identify those who would benefit from placement in one of the Challenging Options, Learning Enrichment Achievement Program (LEAP) and/or the Highly Capable Program.

    Kindergarten Screening: Referral deadline is November 10, 2025. 

    Screening for kindergarten students requires a referral form from a parent/guardian/teacher/community member by the deadline listed above. Regardless of who makes the referral, the parent/guardian must complete, sign, and submit the consent form for their student to be tested, by the deadline. Screening will take place in November and December. Results will be shared with families in January. 

                  The Kindergarten CogAT Screener:

      • 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. 
      • Students listen to instructions on a Chromebook with headphones throughout the test. Oral instructions are only available in English at this time. The screener consists of three subtests 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. 

    Universal Screening in first and fifth grade: No referral required.

    The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), requires school districts 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, Everett Public Schools (EPS) administers 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 is required for first grade and fifth grade universal screening.

    • 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. 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. Oral instructions are provided only in English at this time.
    • In fifth grade, the screener is used to support students' course selection in middle school where they have access to advanced and accelerated options. The grade 5 screener is of similar design and duration to the first grade screener, but is timed. Grade 5 students will also select the best item to complete analogies, but between words, numbers, or figures. Oral instructions are provided only in English at this time.

    The screener results for first and fifth grade students will be sent to families the month following the screening with recommendations for further testing, course selection or continued placement in their current classrooms. 

    If further testing is recommended and/or desired, a Highly Capable Referral Form must be submitted for students in grades 1-4 in order to participate in highly capable testing even if the student has been previously screened. The highly capable referral/testing process is separate from the screening process. 

    Highly Capable testing for students in first, second, third and fourth grade: Referral deadline is November 10, 2025.

    To refer a student for testing and possible identification/placement in the highly capable program, you must complete the Highly Capable Testing Referral Form. Regardless of who makes the referral, the parent/guardian must complete, sign, and submit a consent form for their student by the posted deadline. 

    • Referral form deadline for first, second, third and fourth grade testing: November 10, 2025
    • Testing window for first through fourth grades: December to January
    • Testing results will be sent to families in February

    The Highly Capable testing procedure includes the complete Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) and the Iowa Assessments in Reading and Math. The assessments are facilitated by proctors in the students' home school during the school day. For more information on the testing process, please visit the Highly Capable Testing section. 

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