Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Disappointing news about testing...

In my state, kids are screened before they are given an IQ test. Approved screeners are the NNAT, OLSAT, K-BIT, and Slosson. DD9 did not do well on the NNAT because she's highly verbal and weak on visual-spatial. The school told me that they don't use the K-BIT and Slosson because they're "too hard", and all kids will take the OLSAT in 3rd grade anyway. I did some digging and found out (from the gifted specialist at the state dept. of ed)that the reason no one uses these two screeners is because the tests have been poorly administered in the past and kids were also passing questions to each other. As a result, the state raised the cutoff scores so much that it's hard to qualify for services with these tests.

This makes me really angry. My highly verbal kid gets left out as a result of all of this mess, and we really don't have many options since the state doesn't accept private testing. I can request a more verbal screener, but what's the point? We're hoping she does well on the OLSAT in the spring...

Thanks for letting me vent.

Pink - I feel your pain!!!! My 2e has gotten left out too because of his 2e-ness and it is just the pits!!! I'm sorry - I know it is very disappointing. Dottie has a great point though, is your program worth the fight?? I decided ours was not worth it and that it is just their loss they don't get to have my funny, highly verbal child in there. (great way to spin it right???) LOL! If your is worth it, then maybe you can find a way to fight it.

Yes and no. They don't do much in grades 3-5 but pull-out a few hours per week. However, they do go on great field trips to museums and things like that. DD's teacher told me that although she's not a huge fan of the program, she thinks that DD really needs it because she's so advanced, especially in math.

In middle school, GT kids have more placement options in terms of advanced classes. It's really just an issue of advocacy at this point. Fortunately, she's got a great teacher who is really trying to push her ahead. It's just not enough.

From what I've read, it is recommended that the NNAT NOT be used with highly verbal kids, and it makes me angry that it's the school's only option. I think she will do much better on the OLSAT because of the verbal component.

DD6 will face the NNAT soon because we're having her screened this year. She's much better at visual-spatial tasks than DD9, so it might not be an issue at all for her. Stinks for DD9, though. Her intellectual peers (and social peers) are in GATE. She's actually helping them with math.

My first question is the same as Dottie's. Is even it worth it?

My suggestion would be to get the private testing anyway. Maybe they would at least accept the individually administered results as a screener. How could they possibly argue with that request?

We've considered that option. Since she takes the OLSAT in a few months anyway, it may not be necessary. If she scores high enough on the OLSAT, she can qualify for an individually administered IQ test at school. We may do it anyway, though.

Pink,
Does your DD like tests? If so, perhaps request the K-BIT and Slosson anyway. There is a chance that even if the bar is 'rediculously high' that she would pass it with ease.

I also like the idea of private assesment. This year's teacher sounds like a gem, but I wonder if subject acceleration or a grade skip will be part of the solution for your daughter. You could try to formally apply for the full grade skip for next year as a way to rush the individualized testing. In the end, no matter what the test says, "Gifted is as Gifted does." IF you daughter is doing the advanced work, that is reason enough.

Best Wishes,
Grinity

Just a quick update after last night's 3rd grade open house...

DD9's teacher approached me and brought up the GATE testing and how shocked/sorry she was that DD didn't pass screening. She told me that she had let the GATE teachers know exactly how she felt about DD--that she had taught 3rd grade for 16? (I forgot exactly how long she said) years, and she KNOWS DD's gifted. She also said she's going to make specific teacher recommendations for DD for next year since some will be better matches for her in terms of being able to give her what she needs. AND, the teacher is also going to talk to the new teacher about fighting for DD. Wow! DD really has made an impression on her teacher!

I've been doing research and documenting in an effort to advocate for DD. I still don't know what the best alternative is for her. We won't get OLSAT results until late in the summer. Maybe we should consider private testing this summer just to give us more ammo.

I know I've complained about little things with DD's teacher, but overall she's a gem. I just wanted to share...

Happy Friday!

I'm so glad you have an advocate for you at the school! That's great. That teacher does sound like a gem. Private testing may be a good idea and then you'll hopefully know exactly what you should advocate for, if nothing else.

Good luck! Keep us posted!

I think specific teacher reccomendations (if they are followed) is some of the best news you can get. A teacher-advocate for your child is probably the best thing you can hope for.

I really also think that you need private testing ASAP. My cynical side says that if the teacher is noticing your child's giftedness then they are either 'way smart' or in that nice bright, 'educable' group that teachers tend to love. ((Although the Math a few grades up tends to make me doubt that.)) Still, I think that the chance that you can get a clearer insight into her needs is worth the price of individualized testing with a tester who is very familar with both GT and Highly/Profoundly gifted kids.

Either way, Best Wishes,
Grinity

I've often wondered if she's just "in that bright, educable group" but she continues to stay ahead of her peers, especially in reading and writing. She also has an unusual memory. She can tell me about a book she's reading with great detail, practically quoting certain passages. It's uncanny.

Also, it recently snowed here (yes, in AL). The last time it snowed here she was a year old, and we were living in a different house. She's never seen any pictures of herself in the snow, and we haven't talked about it, but I overheard her telling her sister about playing in the snow with Mom at her old house. Weird.

I agree that we need private testing. The money...ugh!