Hi Eden,
I have an 11yr old in a 5th grade GT program with a HUGE gap in the VCI and PRI scores (45 points). (Coding score of 5!, check out the thread on low processing speed on this forum.) He tested into the program in 2nd grade based on CoGAT and Peabody tests, which I realize was fortunate because his overall score when we tested in 3rd grade was also about 125 and the program requires 130 if entrance is based on IQ scores. He ABSOLUTELY belongs in the GT program. I think he would have completey shut down and given up at school if he were still in the regular classroom.
Did you receive any written comments from the tester that would help you to explain the situation to the schools? Our commentary included the fact that the overall score is not reliable, and discussed the frustration involved in living with a brain that has such a large discrepancy in scores.
Our DS11 also can exhibit very uneven performance in testing, which is very frustrating for teachers because they interpret this as not trying. He has been diagnosed as having the inattentive type of ADHD, (which can vary from day to day and influence all kinds of scores) but I think his bigger challenges are the in the wide gap between the scores.
The modifications suggested by inky are excellent. I would add modifying the amount of written output, or allowing work to be dictated if her writing speed is frustrating her at all.
Keep us posted!
