Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Thinking of finally applying for DYS

I'm contemplating achievement testing but not sure if dh will be on board to spending the money since the school won't consider the results. If we do a portfolio can it just be in one subject (math)?

If so, what kind of math problems would be considered 2+ years for a 3rd grader? I'm finding a lot of variability among states as far as standards are concerned.

ETA: We already have IQ results that meet the DYS requirements.

Consider EXPLORE testing. It is way cheaper. Or SAT/ACT (depending on age). They count as achievement tests.

She's 9 and in 3rd grade. Is that old enough for EXPLORE?

The DYS site shows the scores needed for 3rd grade, so I assume she is old enough to take it.

My DD was 8 (as a 4th grader when she took Explore).

Duke TIP starts at 4th grade but NUMATS starts at 3rd grade to take Explore.

http://www.ctd.northwestern.edu/pro...ys-midwest-academic-talent-search-numats

The Explore testing are over for this schoolyear so you have to wait until fall.

Portfolio is tricky and subjective. I heard that taping the kid doing her work carries more weight than the worksheet itself.
May be you can give her old AMC 8 questions and record how she solves those questions.

I will second what Peter mentioned about taping/recording how the prospective DYS approaches his/her work, solves problems, etc, as this would seem to provide insight similar to any observation notes provided by a professional administering an individual achievement test.

Just my 2 cents.

Meanwhile, some may say that age 9 is old enough for a child to decide, or have significant input into, what s/he would like to share to showcase his/her giftedness, talent, skills, abilities... even to do the recording of something s/he is excited about sharing.