Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment HELP! How to advocate with test scores.

I know so many of us are in the same boat so I'm going to try to make this direct and to the point (is that possible?). I finally got to the point that I applied my DS10 to a private school that caters to bright and many gifted children (but also to an all around child with lots to offer and a VERY diverse population). He took the ISEE (which is just a portion of the admission process and with NO prep - I didn't want him to do any) and he did quite well considering many of these children study and prepare their interviews for a year - we difinitely winged it. So his scores were:
VR: 87%
RC: 82%
QR: 93%
MA: 85%

Well 2 days ago (he was waitlisted and decisions had been made 3 weeks ago) I got a letter from the testing center saying they mad a mistake scoring his exam. His RC score went from an 82% to a 99% !! So I called the school and there's pretty much nothing they could do - especially in the fact that out of the over 100 appications they were offering the 25 positions to mostly girls to even out the grade. So I'm stuck with the public middle school who do not believe in even acceleration. I have been fighting for the G&T program and differention for all students and have gotten some G&T but it is not near what my son needs. So I am done fighting for all the children and I am going to fight for just my child. What information should I go in with? Here are the scores I have along with the ISEE scores.

Measure of Academic Progress (MAP)
Math 257 (99%)
Reading 233 (97%)

COGAT
Verbal 99%
Quantitative 94%
Nonverbal 97%
Composite 99%


NJ ASK
Mathematics 300 (ceiling advanced proficient)
LAL 242 (high proficient)

WISC
VCI 132
PRI 143
WMI 146
PSI 141
FSIQ 141
GAI 146

Block Design 18
Digit Span 19
Matrix Reasoning 18

He is going to be taking the SCAT soon for CTY and the EXPLORE for a second test for DYS but I don't know if he's qualified enough to pass those and then I may lose my confidence to do this. He is bored stiff, has so much to offer and doesn't want to be the smart one any more. I could please use some advice on how to speak to the school and administrators - and it must be done in a firm way as I have tried every other way and they just don't believe in pushing any child ahead. As they said "If we push them ahead what are they going to take in high school?". I'm devastated. Sorry for being so long winded.

Jules

I'm in the wrong topic. I'm going to try in the other topic but if I can't I would still appreciate some answers. Thanks so much.

Oh Jules, we aren't that formal around here!

You must be so frustrated by this point. I would call the private school one more time, and ask them to bump him up to the top of the waitlist given the mix up with the scores. Also see if they would put him also on the waitlist for the grade higher, so that if a spot opens there he maybe could take that spot. Seriously, as gifted as they are, I don't think they are teaming with kids with your son's LOG.

It may not work, but with things the way they are, 1st on the waitlist is very often good enough - September 2012 is a long way away.

Second, have you checked in with the HEROs organization?
Mission | HEROESgifted
Higher Education, Resources and Opportunities for Exceptional Scholars ("HEROES") is committed to supporting the educational, social and emotional development of ...

heroesgifted.org

I would apply to DYS right now-today - with the info you have, and continue on with the planned tests, just in case it's needed.

I would talk to someone at HEROs about recomendations for hireing a lawyer or psychologist to come to the public school and do the advocacy with you - never underestimate the power of a suit. Enough is enough!

Smiles,
Grinity

Argh! I actually got the same letter from ERB/ISEE, but it stated that my particular child's scores were not affected. You are allowed to throw a big "it's not fair" tantrum!! Grinity offers some good advice.


Argh, again! I think that is the perfect name for a book. I'd love to make a handbook of the educational bios of children who have had "interesting" educational journeys (that is, unless it already exists).
It can't be that rare to have high school students taking college courses...

Unfortunately in NJ the definition there is a mandate that your school must have a program for G&T. Unfortunately at this point a schoolwide enrichment program will suffice. Last year with budget cuts they wfere going to take away all 3 G&T teachers at the elementary schools but we fought and got back 1 1/2 (but Special Ed received even more - and please don't think I want it taken away - I just want our children to be looked at the same but in NJ Special Ed has such strict laws). At this point I have been told time and time again (and trust me I have been to every BOE meeting, spoken with every administrator) that the G&T program is enough for them.

So I just e-mailed the private school my son applied to and asked them to take his new score into consideration. So I'm hoping to hear back from them. So I am also going to apply to HEROES but I will need either the SCAT or EXPLORE scores. Just a quick question with all of these tests - do any of you ever get nervous to have your child take the tests because you don't think they are at the level to do well enough? Sometimes I think he isn't up to all of these kids' levels because I really don't have anyone to compare him with.

As for what I want for him: I know that in-class differentiation is definitely not the answer. Socially he is in a good spot so I wouldn't want a grade skip. I really would love to see acceleration in certain subjects (though it might have to be a few grades) and maybe even some kind of online interactive classroom programs or something off campus for the second half of the day. However, I don't know how to figure out how far advanced he is - can anyone tell me how they figured this out with their own child especially for acceleration and to take different grade level classes or college classes. And I know for sure that the school has no idea nor do they believe in any of it. I really feel I need some kind of advocate to help me. Grinity, do you know if someone from HEROES would talk to me even if I don't have my son's test scores yet? They are already getting ready to place the kids for next year.

HOW SAD THAT CERTAIN EDUCATORS DO NOT WANT TO HELP NURTURE THESE WONDERFULLY DIFFERENT CHILDREN WHO ARE OUR FUTURE. BUT I WON'T STOP TRYING - THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPPORT AND INFORMATION. EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS!

Where are you in NJ? Feel free to send me a PM.

A lawyer might help, as you can argue that they are not providing an appropriate education to your child, but you will not get that off IQ scores alone. Most NJ public schools are not that familiar with SCAT or Explore. I would look toward woodcock Johnson achievement testing. An actual lawsuit, however, is unlikely to do much in NJ. You might track down Michael Kaelber, who is the director of legal and policy services at the NJ School Boards Ass'n and see if he has any advice. He just presented at the NJAGC conference. You might also contact the woman who helps with advocacy at NJAGC (I think her name is Jill Grunewald, but am not sure).

Rita at Heroes is great, but her focus in primarily on getting exceptional students into Rutgers and on some other enrichment activities. I would sign up for Heroes right away and get in touch with her - she is a terrific resource. You might find the NJPOGO list serv and sign up there - there are people there who have managed to convince schools that have never done it before to accelerate.

Get copies of Nation Deceived and Iowa Acceleration Scale, and go back to the Super and say, why are you not using evidence based practice in our district. This is supported by the research. Then go to the BOE with the same question. If the super really has shut you down completely, you need to go, one by one to the BOE and find one (or more) that understands or is willing to listen. You present research and stories and as much as you can.

But first I would say you do need some achievement tests. As our district told us, we need to know what he knows, we don't care that much about IQ.

Don't be worried about them. Your child will likely do just fine. And you certainly would not want him subject accelerated if it wasn't a good fit.

Cat

I would contact them and see
1) if they will accept the WISC score
2) if they will make recommendations even before you join, 'parent to parent'
They may or may not be receptive, but worth a try.

Also I like the idea of your child taking the SATs - they are a but-breaker to sit through, but your child might enjoy it! And the schools will often sit up and take notice. You need to contact college board to get them to send a hard copy of their application since your child is too young to apply online. There should be May and June dates. Just be sure to sign up for an out of town testing site, where your son won't recognize babysitters and older sibs of his classmates.

I'd also suggest a roadtrip later this month http://www.giftedconferenceplanners.org/Boston/index.html

- Boston isn't that far, and your son will dig meeting other kids his age with similar intersts. And no pesqy qualifying scores!

Best Wishes,
Grinity

For reading you can look up the Lexile level (or whatever system your school uses - asl the Media Specialist WAS Librarian. Then google the book title and 'Lexile' or whatever other system name.

But a lot of kids have reading levels way beyond their spelling or writing level. But it's a place to start and at least find other kids with similar reading levels.

Best Wishes,
Grinity

Here is the link to the learning ladder for MAP that kcab mentioned
http://www.powayusd.com/projects/edtechcentral/lladder/Default.asp