Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment advice appreciated

Hi there,

You all helped me with my questions about the OLSAT and appealing to allow my daughter to take the CoGAT. She was IQ tested last year with the WPSI and got a full score of 141, verbal 143. We applied to and she got into a gifted school, but I couldn't afford to send her. She scored LOW on the OLSAT. Long story short, I did appeal their first round and she was allowed to test with the kids who qualified. I didn't have a lot of faith in her scoring high because it made no sense that she missed the cut on the OLSAT and the CoGAT is a similar test. Well, again she tested low. They plot the scores onto a matrix (They call it the Baldwin matrix, but it's adapted for our district -- ever heard of it?). Two of the scores got her no points on this matrix.

The teacher completed an inventory on her and she scored at the top of the scale for superior students. She has been pulled out for reading for two years because she read so far above grade level. The gifted coordinator told me that she is shocked. She says that she's always wowed by my DD's ability to think abstractly and make inferences. She also told me that it's too bad that whenever kids come to us from other gifted programs, they "never test into ours." What? She seems to think it's because ours is so exclusive. But, I think it's because they are using a crummy set of measures. Any thoughts?

She let me know that because my daughter isn't even close, the committee won't even consider an appeal, but she did get them to agree to give her the MAP in the fall. If she tests high enough, they will override the CoGAT score. So, any advice about those tests?

Oh yeah, here's the other thing that irks me. I know some of the kids who "got in" to the gifted program. One mom was nice enough to share that she coached her kid in questions like the CoGAT and a dad let me know that I could buy the CoGAT test itself and the prep materials if I say that I'm a teacher. WHAT? Is this for freaking real? I can promise you that if these kids are "gifted", then my kid is too. The gifted teacher told me that she was the highest reader in her grade. Why is that not enough?

And my last question is do you know the researcher Carolyn Callahan? Apparently this woman is doing a review of our district's gifted program and presenting to our board in August. I'm wondering what to think about that and if it suggests that things might change. I plan on googling and reading her work later, but maybe you can offer a short cut to her work?

All in all, my daughter is happy. She plans on writing a chapter book about a girl superhero and a reader's theater script for the book Poppy, by Avi, for her class to read aloud next year. She doesn't know what a gifted program even is, and I'm sure whatever they do for their two hours a week is not even worth my working up a sweat over this issue. But, I'd like to let the Superintendent know how ridonkulous I think their "exclusive" program that misses the most gifted kids is.

Thanks a million just for letting me vent, and for any feedback you might have to offer.

Hello hen27,

I'm sorry I am not familiar with the Baldwin matrix, but maybe someone else will be able to help. From what you've said, it sounds like the school is not especially inclusive with its current criteria for gifted. I'm sorry that your DD is being excluded based on these screener tests. It does seem to be good news that your DD will be able to take the MAP and test in, though. But how very frustrating that the school won't listen to the teacher nominations.

I'm sure you already googled Carolyn Callahan, but I found this article that makes her sound very promising: An Interview with Carolyn Callahan

I LOVE how you write! Sorry about what you are writing, but I can feel the frustration through your writing! If she writes anything like you, I'm SURE she should be in the gifted program. But you are right. What is it really!?

I was asking for a math skip for my daughter 9. I was told they were working on a pull-out program for next year. I said no-thank you. Principal was not surpirsed. I think it is there for the parents anyway. 2 hours a week isn't going to solve anything! It is so good that your daughter is happy! She is still writing and challenging herself - no matter what the world around her does! That is really one thing we should ALL hope our children learn!