As February ap­proach­es, the Moses Lake School District is preparing to test students for eligibility for its highly capable program, dubbed NOVA.

The academic program allows students to focus their education on their interests in a one-day-per-week pull-out program.

“Our kids are served one day a week in the Moses Lake School District, once they qualify. So identification requires some modification of the learner’s environment so that they have more one-on-one time with the students,” said NOVA Program Teacher Cathy Lane. “And (NOVA students) have more personal choice in what they study. Not completely, but they do have a lot more choice and freedom.”

NOVA stands for Novel Opportunities for Versatile Achievers and is MLSD’s state-mandated highly capable student program. While standardized test scores, grades and other traditional academic measures are used to screen students, Lane said those aren’t the only criteria for NOVA participation.

“It’s kids that perform or show potential performing at more advanced academic levels compared with others of their age, experience or their environments,” Lane said. “And sometimes for some students, these show in their general abilities like their academic scores, but it’s not uncommon for highly capable students to shine in some areas and really struggle in others, so it’s not a program for just academic kids.”

Screening for NOVA also includes tests to gauge nominated students’ aptitudes and interests, Lane said. By examining the learner more holistically than simply using standardized test scores and grades, students who may excel in the program are pulled from the district’s overall population, rather than only from those who are better at taking tests or perform well in traditional classroom activities. Screening for the program also includes tests to identify any unique talents students may have, she said.

Screening for students is established in second grade toward the end of the year – in February this year – and nominations for the program can come from a variety of sources, Lane said. Teachers throughout MLSD are on the lookout for students who may benefit from participation in NOVA. Additionally, parents, family and community members can nominate students for screening.

Older students may also be screened for NOVA when they transfer into MLSD, Lane said. Screening information and nomination forms are available at each MLSD campus.

Regardless of their age, students who are good candidates for the program are those who are high achievers, gifted learners or creative thinkers – or a combination of the three, according to the district’s website.

High achievers are those with good memories, are attentive, hard-working, learn with ease and only need a few repetitions to master a skill, among other qualities. A gifted learner poses unforeseen questions, is sometimes selectively engaged with the curriculum or can view issues from multiple perspectives. Creative thinkers see exceptions to applications, daydream, have many ideas and sometimes have what some would consider bizarre or conflicting opinions. A more comprehensive list of traits may be found at https://bit.ly/NOVATraits.

Statewide, the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction reports more than $30 million is spent on highly capable programs in schools.

While the state and district do spend money on highly capable programs like NOVA, Lane said it isn’t the amount of money that’s spent she’s concerned about. It’s the learning outcomes and opportunities students obtain she’s proud of.

Lane said her children have participated in the NOVA program and she’s seen a lot of her students excel as they move forward both academically and professionally. Program alumni include doctors, lawyers, orthodontists and dentists, she said. Other family members have benefited from the program, as well, she said. Her niece, Lisa Lane, is a writer and standup comedian in addition to her job at the utility district.

Lane hopes the program, now more than 45 years old, will continue to grow and be more inclusive to help lower-income students excel. Some students, especially lower-income students, can have a hard time adjusting to being with other highly capable students in the NOVA program, she said. However, with support from teachers and family, they can quickly overcome those challenges and will find the environment is very open to their needs.

“It’s very welcoming and we challenge the kids,” Lane said. “We want them to make mistakes because it is difficult for these kids to do that because everything’s come really easy to them.”

Lane said these mistakes are learning opportunities for the students who are used to getting everything right on the first try, but by learning coping skills at a younger age, future challenges won’t hold them back.

“It opens their eyes to different prospects, and you know, thinking they can do anything. Especially those (lower-income) kiddos to get out of their little bubble. To get out of their norm and see the opportunities that are out there and all the cool things and that they can do anything, anything they want to,” Lane said.

R. Hans Miller can be reached via email at [email protected].