Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment Just getting started - what to ask of school?

Hello,

My third grade son just received his NWEA test scores - 225 Math (7th grade), 225 Language Usage (11th grade), and 216 Reading (7th grade). Although I have always recognized that he is very bright, this was his first "objective" testing at school. His teacher and the school's guidance counselor scheduled a meeting to discuss his scores and to recommend subject acceleration (4th grade math), which started this week. There was really no further discussion about how to keep him challenged, and I am now trying to educate myself on how to navigate the school years ahead to fully develop his potential. Should I ask the school to do an IQ test? What benefit could come of an IQ test? What else, if anything, should I be asking the school to do? He is an incredibly eager learner - totally self-motivated -- and I don't want him to lose his "spark" as a result of not being sufficiently challenged. He does not complain and is very well-behaved in class and at home, and does well socially. I would appreciate any guidance you can offer - this is new to me.

I think it's great that the school initiated the Math Subject Acceleration, which should be a good way to test the waters.

I think that it's reasonable to ask the school to do an IQ test, afterall, I'm guessing that they don't have 'handfuls' of kids in the third grade who have scores just like him. If the school doesn't want to, you can certianly get one privately to help with these kinds of questions.

It sounds like your son is happy at school, and eager to learn. If he isn't behaving in 'perfectionistic' ways or avoiding taking intellectual risks, then it seems like he is on a good path. You can always institute 30 minutes of 'Afterschooling' 5 days a week where you assist him to find material that actually is somewhat challenging, and then allow him to demonstrate what he's learned. When you see how he handles stuff that is closer to what he is truely 'ready to learn' you will have a better idea if he has been damaged by his school situation.

By having a family tradition of afterschooling, you can be sure that he will have chances to learn the character trait of perseverance, as the years go by.

Welcome Shannon!
Grinity

I could have written the same exact thing. wow. Our test score are different. My son does complain at home about school.

Thanks for the feedback - very helpful. One follow-up question: Given that our school does not offer any GT programs (other than sporadic volunteer-led enrichment projects, in which my kids always participate) and that our state does not mandate any GT programs, what is the benefit of IQ testing? Isn't it usually done to qualify for school GT programs? Is there another reason to have it done? I would like to ask the school to pay for the testing (as it is not financially feasible for us to pay for now), but I feel as though I should be able to articulate a solid justification for it.

I think it would be good to have the IQ score in case underachievement rears it's ugly head down the road. It is estimated that as many as half of gifted students are underachieving. Having the IQ scores can help you and the school work together to avoid the problem of underachievement.