East Chicago Urban Enterprise Academy 

East Chicago Urban Enterprise Academy is pleased to offer enhanced learning opportunities to High Ability students through its High Ability Programming. This program is designed to provide students with challenging enrichment activities and lessons that promote their problem-solving abilities and academic talents. 

 

Indiana Definition of a High-Ability Student

High ability students as defined by Indiana Code (IC) 20-36-1 as a student who: 

• Performs at or shows the potential for performing at an outstanding level of accomplishment in at least one (1) domain when compared with other students of the same age, experience, or environment; and 

• Is characterized by exceptional gifts, talents, motivation, or interests.

 

Program Goals

• To provide students with learning experiences that are differentiated, accelerated, and appropriately challenged

• To engage in lessons that promote communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking skills 

 

Identification Process

Students are identified for the High Ability program based on the following criteria: 

• NWEA / iReady Performance in Math and/or Reading in the 80th percentile or higher during the Spring Testing Season

• CogAt Performance in either the Verbal, Quantitative, or Nonverbal battery scored as “Above Average” (77-95) or “Very High” (95-99)

• Students can qualify for the High Ability Program at the end of Kindergarten, 2nd, and 4th grades according to the above criteria. 

• Students who are currently serviced in the High Ability Program in Grades 1, 3, 5, 6, and 7 must maintain an NWEA / iReady performance in the 75th percentile or greater at the end of each school year to re-qualify for the program the following year. Students falling below this percentile will not requalify for the program the following year and must wait for a new testing event to requalify. 

 

Service Schedule 

Students qualifying for High Ability services at East Chicago Urban Enterprise Academy will be placed among their peers in the general education classroom.  High Ability students will meet with the High Ability teacher once per week per subject area for up to 90 minutes of enrichment and accelerated instruction. High Ability services will take place in the High Ability resource room. 

 

Exit Procedure

If there is a situation where a member of the academic team and/or the general education teacher feels that a high ability student is not maintaining classroom grades or assessment scores aligned with their high ability potential, the following exit procedure will be followed: 

• Sufficient data will be collected (classwork, quizzes, tests, benchmark assessments).

• A meeting will be scheduled with the general education teacher, high-ability teacher, and parent.

• Areas of concern will be addressed by the classroom teacher.

• A plan that includes realistic goals, supports, and responsibilities will be discussed, as well as a timeline.

• At the end of the agreed time period, no less than one grading period, reassess the situation and gather the original group for a review meeting. If the student has made progress, decide whether to continue with a new contract or let the student progress on their own. If little or no progress has been made, arrange for the student to exit the program. 

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Appeals Procedure

A parent or guardian may appeal the program's decision on the identification of their child by submitting a formal appeal in writing to the High Ability Coordinator. The letter must be emailed, hand-delivered, or postmarked by September 30th and should include reasons why they believe their child should be provided high ability services.  Evidence that will be taken into consideration includes NWEA/iReady data (achievement qualifier) and CogAt scores (ability qualifier).  ILEARN proficiency scores or classroom assessments may not be used to re-evaluate a student. After a committee consisting of the principal, high ability teacher, and general education teacher has reached a decision, the parent will be notified about the most appropriate placement for the student. 

 

Communication

Please direct any questions about the High Ability Program to the High Ability Coordinator. Mrs. Michelle Pope