MCAS High Ability Services

Michigan City Area Schools currently offers "High Ability" centers at Joy and Knapp Elementary Schools. These buildings host multi-age classrooms for high-ability students in grades 4, 5, and 6. (Students in grades 1-3 are served through specialized small group instruction at all elementary buildings.)

Middle school and high school students are selected to participate in content/theme specific high ability coursework. Students have the opportunity for project-based learning, accelerated coursework and may receive credits for the next level (high school or college).

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.

Click on the options below to learn more.

How are Students Identified in MCAS?

All students in kindergarten, third, sixth and eighth grade will be screened using the CogAT-7 assessment.

Using local norms, any student scoring at or above the 8th stanine will then take the Full CogAt-7 Assessment. This will determine high ability in one or more of the required domains.

Language Arts
Math
General Intellectual

Students scoring at or above the 90th percentile in one or more domains on the full CogAt are automatically identified as HA (High Ability).

HA-Language Arts
HA-Math
HA-General Intellectual

Students scoring at the 80th percentile in one or more domains on the full CogAt are further considered for placement through additional identification measures.

Additional Identification Measures:

A completed SIGS form (Scales for Identifying Gifted Students) from the child's teacher.
- Students with SIGS scores above 115 are considered for placement.

Achievement data (High ILEARN, i-Ready, ECA, or PSAT scores)
Teacher observations, student work samples, etc.

Alternate Pathways:

Students who score below the 8th stanine on the CogAt screener, but show high achievement on ILEARN, i-Ready, PSAT, etc., may be considered through the additional identification measures listed above.

Universal Screening

High Ability Services by Grade Level

K-3

4-6

7-8

9-12

Exit Procedure

An initial meeting should take place with the High Ability Teacher, Coordinator, parents and (if appropriate) the student.
At the initial meeting, the child's progress to date and concerns over performance should be documented. Interventions should be developed and agreed upon by all parties.
Interventions should be put into place with fidelity for no less than one grading period.
Upon completion of the next grading period, a second meeting should be held during which time the child's progress under the interventions should be evaluated, and future placement should be determined.
If the child is removed from the high ability program, the high ability designation should be removed from the child's STN.

Additional Resources

MCAS High Ability Newsletter

First page of the PDF file: 2023-2024HighAbilityNewsletterQuarter1

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are High Ability Centers located?

What are the High Ability Center classrooms like?

These classrooms look much like other classrooms. The major difference is that students from grades 4 to 6 work together with one teacher. Students learn the academic standards approved by the Indiana State Board of Education for their grade level as well as receive enrichment to broaden and deepen understanding. Instruction is based on thematic units of study that encompass multiple content standards. Students are encouraged to work independently as well as in groups on tasks and projects designed to stretch their thinking and enhance their creativity and collaboration skills. Classrooms offer advanced technology options to enable students to work at their own pace and explore resources available through the Internet. Students develop a Personal Learning Plan and set goals for learning based on their unique interests and abilities.

Who teaches in the High Ability classrooms?

Why is MCAS doing this?

What are some signs that my child might be a high ability learner?

When does testing take place and how long does it take?

What if I don’t want my child tested?

What if my child does not currently attend a MCAS public school? Can he/she be placed in a HA classroom?

Michigan City Area Schools will hold “open testing” for non-public or charter students each Spring. If interested, please call and make an appointment: 873-2000 ext. 8316. Appointments can will last approximately 45 minutes. Parents will need to bring achievement test data with them to be copied, such as ISTEP+, Acuity, NWEA, Iowa Test of Basic Skills or other norm-referenced achievement tests. Parents will be asked to complete an application and rating scale.

When will I know if my child has been classified as High Ability?

What if not enough children are high ability learners at a particular school? Will the standards be lowered at some schools?

What if I applied to one of the magnet schools? Will my child still be eligible for a High Ability Center?

Why are you starting this program in fourth grade? Why not include younger students?

What services does MCAS provide for HA students in middle and high school?

Currently high ability students at the middle schools are eligible to take Pre-Algebra as 7th graders and Algebra I as 8th graders. They are also tracked into special classes for English/Humanities. High performing students at the high school have many options available to them including: a variety of AP courses, Dual Credit Courses (for high school and college credit), and Academic Honors classes in Math, Language Arts, Science and Social Studies. These students take part in the MCHS "Honors College" program and receive weighted grades.