I'm also from Eden Prairie.
Your NWEA score has nothing to do with entering a spelling
bee. The Option is yours.
My child is in second grade also and scored the following:
Math 212
Reading 216
I think the math score is around the 98th percental and reading is the 99th. I also would like him to enter a spelling bee at some point. But, those scores do not determine how well he will do at a spelling bee or get him into a spelling bee. I think you should be concerned with is your child ready to fail (all do except the winner) and can he/she deal with the pressure of the bee. It also does not mean my child will beat your child at spelling. However, a betting line existed, they would probably favor my child.
I think you should view the NWEA as a rough guide on how well your child is learning fundamental aspects of those subjects. If there is sub area where the score is lower, try to improve those areas. However, you should know, at my child's school he needs to score in the 90th percentile for two consective testing periods within the district to get into honors math and reading which goes at an excellerated pace starting in the 4th grade.
You should not also that the percentile score is national vs district. Typically the surrounding districts of Edina, Minnetonka, and Eden Prairie score higher than the national average. Those percentile scores in reading and math at the district level were at 98th and 96th percentile respectively.
I am not entering my child into a spelling bee this year. He needs to handle losing better. I hope he is ready next year. I hope you consider other factors of the spelling bee than just his NWEA scores.
