have seen some GT kids max out EXPLORE as early as 5th grade. They may also max out in MAP tests, but they are still not ready for the next level (SAT/ACT) yet.
I'm curious as to why you say that they're not ready for the next level of testing if they are maxed out on the EXPLORE. My ds11 took the EXPLORE in 4th. He didn't max out in any category, but he did well and we decided to do the SAT through his school gifted program this year in 6th. He did very well (590 M and 610 CR). Honestly, I think it would have been a waste of time to do the EXPLORE again. Our ds10 in 4th did very well on the EXPLORE this year and I'm considering having him take the SAT next year to measure growth. I think it would be silly to have him take a test where he'll likely ceiling.
I showed DS' EXPLORE scores to GT program teacher last year. She was totally clueless about it. Apparently this so called "above-grade level" test is not widely advertised and accepted criteria for GT testing at all, so don't expect too much.
I'm actually surprised, especially given that you are in IL. The ISBE provides for one free administration of the EXPLORE and PLAN to all public schools in IL and it is very widely used. I also don't know what you mean by "so called" above grade level. I think it's pretty accepted that this is in fact above grade level for the curriculum standards in 3rd-6th grade.
We did find, however, that bringing in someone at the district or middle school level helped - sometimes elementary teachers are not as familiar with tests not used at their own level. I agree that most schools don't use this for gifted testing- because I think that they tend to focus on ability tests (Cogat-, Olsat-, Naglieri type). However, we found that once we explained the scores and gave them reference points, they were actually *more* receptive because we could show that our children not only had the ability, they actually knew the material.
I'm sure every school and teacher is different, but we had very good luck with using the EXPLORE for differentiation.
