Local school districts may establish and operate, either separately or jointly, programs for highly capable students. Such authority shall include the right to employ and pay special instructors and to operate such programs jointly with a public institution of higher education. Local school districts which establish and operate programs for highly capable students shall adopt identification procedures and provide educational opportunities as follows:

     (1) In accordance with rules adopted by the superintendent of public instruction, school districts shall implement procedures for nomination, assessment and selection of their most highly capable students. Nominations shall be based upon data from teachers, other staff, parents, students, and members of the community. Assessment shall be based upon a review of each student's capability as shown by multiple criteria intended to reveal, from a wide variety of sources and data, each student's unique needs and capabilities. Selection shall be made by a broadly based committee of professionals, after consideration of the results of the multiple criteria assessment.

     (2) When a student, who is a child of a military family in transition, has been assessed or enrolled as highly capable by a sending school, the receiving school shall initially honor placement of the student into a like program.

     (a) The receiving school shall determine whether the district's program is a like program when compared to the sending school's program; and

     (b) The receiving school may conduct subsequent assessments to determine appropriate placement and continued enrollment in the program.

     (3) Students selected pursuant to procedures outlined in this section shall be provided, to the extent feasible, an educational opportunity which takes into account each student's unique needs and capabilities and the limits of the resources and program options available to the district, including those options which can be developed or provided by using funds allocated by the superintendent of public instruction for that purpose.

     (4) The definitions in Article II of RCW 28A.705.010 apply to subsection (2) of this section.

[2009 c 380 § 4; 1984 c 278 § 13. Formerly RCW 28A.16.060.]

NOTES:

     Severability -- 1984 c 278: See note following RCW 28A.185.010.