Hi -

DS10 and DD8 have both been tested, and both qualify for DYS with their VCI and GAI scores on the WISC iv. However, both just miss on the WIAT iii. DD has an oral language composite score that qualifies, but that is not one of the tests DYS lists for acceptance.

I am wondering what services you feel you get with DYS. I know they do advocacy, and that could be helpful. Do they work with teachers and administrators who are relatively willing to accommodate, but simply don’t know what to do? What other services?

Right at this moment we’re in a relatively good position, with a new principal who is interested in learning more, and actually wants to retest DS10 (achievement tests - he was not particularly happy to be there or cooperative the first time … long story). Given that he might qualify for DYS based on new achievement scores, then I want to be absolutely certain they give one of the tests that counts — or, I want to pay to do the right test. However, how much I push (or pay) depends on how worth it DYS really is, and what services they provide.

In addition, DS is a 2e kid, with some OT/sensory issues, physical handwriting issues (which are being overcome by use of a computer, however he doesn’t have a lot of well above grade level writing samples due to his relative inexperience with writing being something that isn’t totally horrible for him) and possibly some issues with processing speed. Do the DYS folks take that kind of thing into account?

As for DD, she’s not a candidate for retesting anytime soon. What do people do for portfolios? I have no idea what I’d include!! I bet I could get teachers to help with that next year too (find work they think is well above grade level), if I had an idea of what they look for… Do people really get in to the program with portfolios when their kids have missed on the testing?

Just wondering what folks’ experiences have been, to see if the effort is worth it. I’ve read through some of the sticky threads, and while I see a lot on how to apply (and a ton of other great stuff!), but just a small bit on what DYS offers once you’re accepted.

Sorry this is long - I’m just feeling confused!!

TIA!

I don't have any input on DYS, but if you're thinking about achievement testing, I'll note that it is very difficult to score 145+ on the WIAT-III Total Reading Composite, due to the item set format, which tends to cap performance on the reading comprehension subtest. You might have better spread on the KTEA-3, as the reading comprehension subtest has a modified item set format, with decision rules that allow for the possibility of continuing as far as grade 12 items.

Thanks aeh. Both kids strength is verbal, so its going to need to be that very area for them to qualify. And given DS's relative writing weakness, its not going to be the writing area :-).

Anyone know if they ever look at regular assessment testing? The kids do Dibels multiple times a year; DD was assessed (apparently, just learned this on Friday, now that the year is basically over) as having mastered the entire 2nd grade curriculum in fall. Shocking (note the sarcasm) that she became sullen and had behavior issues, right? The school psych suggested I push to see if we can get her assessed for 3rd grade now, so we can begin to really plan for her for next year over the summer. If she passes out of that, perhaps I could see if she can do much of 4th too - then she would qualify toward a portfolio for doing work two grade levels above...

I'll let others who have been in DYS for longer comment on what it has to offer. So far, we have really enjoyed learning from other parents who have BTDT.

There are definitely 2e DYS.

We didn't try the portfolio option (tests actually seemed easier to us), but I think you could submit "not accepted" but high test results as part of the portfolio. I'm not sure about Dibels though. I thought that was just reading speed and accuracy. Do you perhaps have some other testing?

Have you thought about letting your DC take the EXPLORE test? It is relatively inexpensive. It may be more challenging for your DS with processing concerns (because it is timed; does he qualify for accomodations?). DD9 qualified for DYS using EXPLORE, while DS6 qualified with the WIAT.


Best wishes whatever you decide!

You can do a portfolio for you child if the WISC scores qualify him/her but the achievement tests do not. That is what we did for my DS; we didn't even submit the achievement scores. Because DS is 2e, his achievement scores do not line up with his WISC testing. This is part of what helped us understand his 2e-ness.

Aren't you supposed to submit the achievement test scores anyway? Or is that just IQ testing?

From what I read on the website, you have to submit two out of the three areas: IQ testing, achievement testing and portfolio. You don't have to submit all three even if you have all three. We didn't submit achievement tests for my DS as the way I read the application we didn't need to if we weren't using them to qualify.

2 of the 3 different things need to be submitted, so if the achievement scores don't meet the qualifying, don't send them - send the portfolio instead.
Put in conversations you have that show in-depth knowledge, record them discussing something, written pieces of work that are clearly 2 or more years above their age peers. Pictures and written explanations of projects they have done.
DYS is looking for academic stuff, so they are not interested in sports ability or musical ability, keep it to things that could be considered "core classes" topics in school.

We've used the educational consultants for DDnow12, when we were radically accelerating her and the school wanted to know more information about intensities and how to deal with a young kid in a middle school. We had the guidance counselor be the school's point person, and then whenever there were questions form teachers or admin, this person could (and did) call the family consultant and talk with her. It was great because then it wasn't just DH and I saying she needed this that and the other thing, but rather people the school felt had more legitimacy because of their position. We were able to get things sorted out much faster with the consultant than we would have been able to do on our own.

It's been a while since we joined, so I may be misremembering, or it may have changed. I thought the form was explicit that we had to submit all IQ and achievement test results, whether or not they were qualifying.

My 8 yo is a DYS. We did the portfolio because I didn't want to have to pay for another round of testing. It was easy as can be. I found some worksheets online that were listed as several years above grade level (and actually WERE - sometimes they are not). I made up 1 worksheet on my own. And I had actually saved a workbook DS had done when he was 3 (you can submit one piece that is more than 2 years old)

Thank you all. Kerry, that is exactly the type of information I was looking for. And knowing the consultants are willing to work directly with teachers to answer questions on how to help might be exactly what we need. Are there resources through DYS for projects/curriculum ideas that could be used to help my kids' teachers as they try to differentiate for them (hard since in some areas they are so far ahead, in others it will be fairly easy).

I think it could be very helpful w/DD8, since she still has a few more years of elementary school, and we have at least one 4th grade teacher (DS's current teacher, but sadly just for one more month!) who is interested in talking with someone to learn how to help DS (and someday DD). I think if DS gets the teacher I think he will, his 5th grade teacher will be interested too...

Do any of you know how strict DYS consultants are in terms of only helping with the kiddo who is a DYS? Or should I be stressing about getting both kids' applications done right away... Wish they had qualified by test scores solely - the portfolio is intimidating!!

Anyone know if creative writing pieces would work? DS’s poetry is something teachers mention (they don't do it often at school, but each time someone says something to me...). And I know he has some great Dr. Who fan fiction in his head (he told the whole storyline to my teenage niece and nephew, and my sister-in-law, who are all huge Dr. Who fans, and they were raving). If I can get him to use Dragon, perhaps he can get it on paper.

DD is going to be even harder. Her scores are a bit surprising - I think she 'masks' better than DS ever has. So we didn't even realize how above she was! She's had VERY little incentive to do anything up to now (on day she was doing DS's long division - it was sort of a dare, so she was on it - I suggested she learn her times tables and start working on that level of math, and she looked me in the eye and said "why, then math will just be that much worse next year". SIGH)

Thank you, somewhereonearth! I may have DD do that, too! I may talk to DS's 4th grade teacher, and see if she can help me find something.

I keep forgetting, DS is going to HAVE to be retested and qualify through achievement tests: his IQ test is more than 2 years old now. BOO.

If I recall correctly, services do not begin immediately. Once a family is informed that the child has qualified to be a Davidson Young Scholar (DYS), the family can choose to follow through with the DYS registration/enrollment process by completing forms providing further information to the Davidson Institute for Talent Development (DITD), about the qualified child. Parents also sign confidentiality agreements, stating that they will maintain the privacy of each DYS child & family (not share identities of or information about other DYS families or other families' children).

While offerings may change over time, DITD provides / has provided the following opportunities to registered DYS and their parents -

For Parents of registered DYS:
There is a free private parent forum, recently much less active than this public forum.
There is a free e-mail list for parents.
There are free webinars for parents (advance sign-up required).
There is the free opportunity to speak with a staff consultant about matters concerning the registered DYS.
There is a free weekly e-newsletter.

For registered DYS
There are occasional online special interest classes for DYS.
There may be an opportunity for a DYS to be matched with a DYS pen-pal.
There is the Ambassador program for DYS (competitive application process).

For DYS Families
There is an annual gathering ("Summit").
There may be local parent-planned meet-ups called Davidson informal gatherings (DIGs), announced in the weekly e-newsletter.
There is a new annual "alumni" gathering for DYS who've aged out of the program.


Davidson Institute for Talent Development (DITD) also provides support to the greater gifted community.

For the Public
DITD provides the following opportunities to the public and to DYS, their parents, and families -
Free access to the Davidson Database, including:
- This free public forum.
- Free guidebooks.
- Free "Tips for Parents" summaries of web seminars presented to DYS parents.
- Free sign-up for bi-monthly e-newsletter of "What's New" on the Davidson Database.

Competitive application processes open to the public include:
- "Think" Summer Institute.
- "Davidson Fellows" scholarship program.
- "Davidson Academy of Nevada"

For Educators and Professionals
DITD provides the Educators' Guild for teachers and professionals.

For Residents of Reno, Nevada
Davidson Academy of Nevada, a free public middle school and high school for profoundly gifted kids (application process).

More info in this thread: Overview of Davidson Young Scholars program

For more information, search the online Davidson Database.

The best thing we've gotten from our kids being DYS's is meeting other families. Our consultant is friendly, but wasn't very helpful when we met with her to discuss DS9's 2e issues. Of course, when you've got two parents who obsessively research everything, this isn't a huge surprise.

The local DIGs, however, have been great. It is so...relaxing (and reassuring!) to meet other parents with kids who are like your own. And our kids tend to have a better time with the other kids, even if they don't know them well. Our DIGs are open to the entire family, even if only one kid is a DYS.