Districts must create and publish a procedure for universally screening students in two grade levels. All students in the chosen grade levels must be screened for identification of learning needs and placement for highly capable services. The first universal screening must occur in grades K-2 and the second screening must occur in grades 3-6. Districts may choose to conduct universal screening at additional grade levels, and, if so, must conduct a complete universal screening process for every student in that grade level.

Universal screening is the process of collecting and examining appropriate data for all students in a grade level to determine if each student is performing or shows the potential to perform above grade level and requires accelerated learning and enhanced instruction.

The purpose of universal screening is to include students who traditionally are not referred for highly capable services. Districts must determine whether screened students belong to a protected class, receive special services, or move frequently to ensure that students receive fair accommodations and consideration in their screening process. The special services include, but are not limited to, those provided under a section 504 plan, an IEP, multilingual services, the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, highly mobile, and/or foster care.

No single criterion may prevent a student's identification for highly capable. However, any single criterion, objective or subjective, if strong enough, may indicate a need for services and be sufficient to qualify a student in that subject domain. No student may be excluded from highly capable placement without at least two objective data points demonstrating that the student would not benefit from accelerated learning and enhanced instruction. Districts may qualify students directly for highly capable services using screening data. Alternatively, districts may conduct further assessment for students discovered during universal screening to determine placement. Universal screening is not used to exit a student who has qualified for highly capable services.

Districts must collect adequate data from every student in a grade level being universally screened, and students must not be disqualified for missing data. There are multiple approaches to implementing universal screening and the use of multiple criteria. School districts must use screening tools and resources that exemplify best practices and must use objective student data points during universal screening. There is no requirement to administer a new assessment for the purpose of universal screening, however, districts may do so if they deem appropriate.

[Statutory Authority: 2023 c 265, RCW 28A.185.010, and 28A.185.030. WSR 26-10-094, s 392-170-041, filed 5/6/26, effective 6/6/26.]