Originally Posted by Grinity
Originally Posted by landofthelost
I want to add that we haven't had her tested on our own yet as the teacher feels that will not help.

Can you say more about this? I don't really get what the teacher is saying - If it is that the district won't do anything anyway, get the testing and see - I've seen many instances where folks just plain start talking a totally different line of reasoning - once the light goes on and they can see what is going on. What it takes to get the light to go on - now that's a totally different topic.


Also about the gifted program in 3rd grade - how many hours, what kinds of testing do they do to qualify kids?

What kind of testing is done for the Saturday program? Can they recommend a tested to do an individualized IQ/Achievement test?

I don't really follow you here
Quote
Plus while I know she is very gifted, has a great memory and a real love of learning I am not sure she would even be a genius or an IQ off the charts(and wonder if that would impact any extra enrichment she may be able to get if she didn't test really high).

Does a kid who isn't 'off the charts' deserve to be bored in school?
How about a kid who isn't 'a genius' - whatever that is?
What about developing good work ethic? Does a kid who is a poor fit in a particular classroom deserve to 'learn how to learn' ONLY if her IQ scores are 'off the charts?'


One reason to test privately is that you aren't obligated to share the results with the school if your DD doesn't test on that particular day in a way that matches your observation.

Some off the charts kids don't even test gifted due to personality quirks (would rather 'play' with the tester than cooperate, have their own feeling about being identified as gifted and subvert the test, try to second guess the easy questions or just to nervous)

I strongly recommend reading the IOWA Accleration scale manual, which show the actual IQ scores needed to make a single year acceleration a predictable success. Having the manual availible to the school might help them make a rational decision.

Best Wishes,
Grinity

The teacher feels that having her tested outside the school will not influence them one way or the other. So not to waste our money.

They use a computer (MAP) testing as a element as well as teacher and parent recomendation into their program in third grade. It is a pull out program twice a week I believe for 40 minutes each session where they work on extra projects.

The saturday program testing is done by a psychologist. Qualifying test scores are defined as scores in the 95th percentile or above on a nationally normed standardized achievement test in the subject area of the Saturday Enrichment Program course for which you are applying.

The director said it isn't as indepth as the other testing.

I did read through the information on the Iowa website. Is the manual what you can buy for $150(I believe that is what it was)? Would you recommend purchasing it and then bringing it with to the meeting or asking the principal if they are familar with it. I guess I am just afraid I'd be stepping on their toes by suggesting it. I'd be more than willing to purchase it and provide it for the district though.

I also hope I didn't offend you by impling a child who doesn't test off the charts isn't entitled to enrichment. I was just more saying that I was afraid the district would use it against us if she didn't. We have already heard the "all kids even out by 3rd grade" speech from them and I just didn't want them to use the testing against us. I guess I didn't think about not showing them the results, but wasn't sure if that would be something they would want us to show them to get her moved forward.

Thanks again for all the info smile