Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment How do you get the "tests"?

In two different situations...

DD8 tested gifted but we are still having lots of problems with her refusing to do regular classwork even. Her output doesn't match with grades or standarized testing. The counselor at school told me what to say to ask for her to be tested for learning disabilities but I also want her proficiencies (I think) assesed. If I have the paper that says she is capable of 4th grade math and/or say, 7th grade reading, I think the school would be more accomodating...

DD4.5 is ready for our full day kinder. Most people think she's already in. After seeing how DD#1 is sufferring, I feel more than ever that early entrance to kinder will be helpful to the younger. The principal is not against this, the K teacher thinks the kid is ready, but again, the paper trail is everything.

I need names of tests that are appropriate for each of these situations, so I can specifially say to the counselor, "I need this or that test". For DD8, proficiency assessment...for DD4.5, kinder readiness I guess?

Where do you get the tests? The regular PEDs doesn't give them. Can you get them from the school? Do they have to be requested by the school or can I go somewhere and say that I need this or that?

And once you have the results, how do you convince the school to base decisions for your child on those tests...which shouldn't be so hard since they are CLEARLY test happy and that is the language they speak these days.

tia!

Unfortunately, there is no short answer. Each school system has different tests/requirements for services and what qualifies you in one district may or may not qualify you in another. Assuming your child is not in a private/charter school situation, you should be able to get the policy for early entrance from the County/District Office.

For your older child, if you are in the US, there is likely a written policy for AIG/GATE qualifications. I would begin by asking for the tests that are given for qualification. Also, this policy should let you know whether or not outside testing will be accepted and, if allowed, will give some indication of which tests your district will take.

Others can give more specific info about the tests themselves, especially those used to assess learning issues. Best of luck!

Most schools will do a multi-factored evaluation that includes strengths and weaknesses (generally including IQ and achievement testing).

However, were this my kid, I'd also go to a private neuropsychologist and look for subtle learning disabilities. The chances of the school testing getting to the bottom of the problem are low: schools don't test in the same rigorous way as a private tester does.


Your district (somewhere) has a standard for early entrance K or for grade-skipping. Find out what the standard is and what evidence they would require. Then, it depends: will they do the testing, or do you have to seek private testing? You should ask them directly.

DeeDee

thank you

For DD4.5, the principal makes it sound like it's pretty much up to her. Today I will schedule an appt with her and ask specifically what she wants to see. She put me off over the summer by saying she wanted to check with her colleagues, but that our District (am I allowed where?) does not have a policy AGAINST early entrance, nor did they have one specifically supporting it, but I guess I should call the district myself then?

For DD8-they did a test called the Raven. I would have to dig it out and look at it, but I'm pretty sure all we got was a number...it wasn't like some of the other tests I'm seeing with multiple areas. What I'm thinking is that I need one of these tests to show that she CAN (and should maybe) do higher level work in some areas and would benefit from enrichment in others. I'm still hesitant to accept that her being "bored" is what is causing these problems. I did request, in writing yesterday, for her to be tested for learning disabilities, but that is at the school.
We went to the regular pediatrician and left with a big packet for us and one for the teacher, then we follow up with the ped again in 2 weeks (and start the same process for DD4.5 and kinder) so should I say to her "I want my child tested more thoroughly" and say specific tests?

Or do you look in the phone book and just go get these tests?

Now the multiple appointments my brother went to around the same age are making sense...ugh!

http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/testing.htm

This link explains testing very well. Good luck!

Wrightslaw has lots of great information that will be helpful as you navigate the disabilities assessment process with the school.

thank you!!!

In general, I do not advise looking for an evaluator in the phone book. Word of mouth is how I get virtually all of my business and how most of my colleagues who are specialists also do. Talk to people you know who are "tough customers" and find out who they have had good working relationships with.

This is a field where there is a very broad range in terms of practitioner skill, and if you are talking about a child who is potentially twice-exceptional, you really need someone with experience in that field. Most psychologists are not trained in gifted issues at all, and most neuropsychs are trained around traumatic brain injury, stroke, dementia, outre genetic syndromes, etc, but again, not around learning disabilities in smart kids. Kids are often coming to me after someone else has, um, not done a very good job. Sigh.

Only if you use this phone book:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=U...5059822090.000461ba927f03f403bed&z=4

Well, that's a cool one, lol!

honestly, I don't know if she has a disability...but at least that test might tell us what is not wrong? It would explain certain things...or she could just be extra quirky