Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment New Here-Fighting School-Need Help Cogat score

I don't have the specifics on Verbal/ Non-verbal, ect. I do know that is overall score was 141. They are telling us that they see this all the time. I am not familiar with the Cogat. Any input on this test. I did find that the ceiling was 150. We are fighting for our HG son right now who is miserable in school. We presented a lot of year old testing info and they are wanting to retest. Thanks for your thoughts!

Hi and welcome. Sorry I can't help as I am not familiar with the Cogat and its scores, but I am sure that someone who can help will reply. I have two sons, DS7 and DS4.5 and I know how hard it can be when they aren't happy at school. Fortunately we have managed to sort out our problems (but we did have to change schools!)

Here's a recent thread about the Cogat. What were the year old tests?

http://giftedissues.davidsongifted.org/BB/ubbthreads.php/topics/46232/COGAT_question_good_test.html

P.S.
http://giftedissues.davidsongifted....ogat/Search/true/Re_CogAt.html#Post47510

We had Iowa Basics at 99% but were taken a year ahead of current grade level. We also have Explore with overall I believe at 15. We also submitted an IQ test and WJ achievement at 145. His IQ WISC IV was at 141 but talking to Dr. Ruf and Gifted Development both feel that this is low. He was at a Montessori school the last 3 years and wanted to change to "go to school with his friends". I don't know what Dh and I were thinking! He is bored but the school instead of highlighting the positives is focusing on any negatives he has.

They want "fresh' information. Would you let their school Psy. give him a new IQ test? He has lost all love of learning this year.

I should mention too that we have been completely forthcoming and giving the school all documentation. Which is personal! I don't even think they know how to interpret the results!
Frustrated but thanks for the welcome!

Does the district have a gifted specialist? If so, I'd contact them before agreeing to any additional testing.

P.S. The "fresh" testing request seems odd when it's only a year old.

That's a good plan. I haven't had a LOT of contact with the school gifted specialist(they seem to keep her hidden away), she has been the most kind and affirming of DDs' HG/PG educational concerns.

Also, mimi, it's hard not to take all this personally, I know from my own experience.

It's probably not you they don't trust, it's more the IQ test given by a tester they are not familiar with that they don't trust. I don't want to get into whether or not that is fair, but it's a good thing to keep in the back of your mind.

FYI, my DD6 has a lower IQ number than older DD and 6yo is currently outperforming DD9 in math compared to when DD9 was the same age. Way outperforming. Hard to tell if it's because the younger one has access to more materials than older one, we'll never know.

Regardless, your kiddos scores are way high on both aptitude and achievement. I guess you should ask yourself if you have anything to lose by having the school administer the tests. If they administer the WJ achievement test, which is out of level, it might be a real eye opener for them.

While this is your child's LIFE, this is the administrator's JOB. Totally different perspective on the thing than you have. I've had better luck when I attempt to approach conversations with a very professional tone, I seem to get further with that style. Good luck with future talks.


Neato

Thanks! The worst part is-forget the scores he hates school. He took the Explore test as a third grader. Our tests are all from various testers. Any ideas or is it hopeless to think he can remain with age peers in a public school? I am feeling that it is a loss cause.

Do you know any other parents of gifties? They can give you the scoop on next year's teachers. A good teacher who uses some of the ideas in Teaching Gifted Kids in the Regular Classroom may be able to help him find his love of learning again. A good gifted specialist may be able to help you find a good teacher for him. I'm so sorry this has happened to him.

Hi Mimi - Welcome! So glad you found us. Dottie is our resident test 'tea leaf reader' and if she thinks that LOG is an issue, then it is.

As for 'remaining with age peers' that depends on what you mean by 'remaining' - he could certianly be with them for Gym, lunch, recess, art or music perhaps. Or he might figure out how to 'hate school and not misbehave' so that he could stay with his friends and give up the part of himself that loves to learn - this does happen. ((Hey, they all even out by 3rd grade!)) If he is very independent and internally motivated, he could sit in the back of the classroom with middle school books or online computer and work independently if the teacher has slack for this sort of thing. I guess the question is, as a parent, is this worth it?

You don't have to change everything at once, but yes, I do think that staying at his current school all day with his agemates is a lost cause, particularly since it seems to bother you that he has lost his love of learning. I do know people who think that the early love of learning thing is a 'cute stage' like not being able to pronounce words clearly, that they all 'just grow out of.' I'm glad you aren't one of them. The way my DH and I figured it was this: As a family, we belileve that Social development is equally important to intellectual development. So far he's had 90% social, and 10% intellectual at school, so now it's time to try something odd and try to reverse that for a while.

Hope that helps,
Grinity