WISC Score and AAP Appeal

[Anonymous]

Just got the WISC score back. Fisc 154 and all subcategories are above 99.5%. NNAT 160, Cogat 144. GBRS: 1C2F1O. Kid is active and learning very fast, which leads to disrupting classes when challenge not met thus the lower GBRS. The WISC score clearly identify him as highly gifted. what's the appeal strategy on the cover letter?

[Anonymous]

The strategy is explaining why your child's needs can't be met in Gen Ed and also providing evidence to fill the gaps in the GBRS, particularly the 1 OO.

[Anonymous]

Wondering if there is a 'safe' WISC score for AAP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wondering if there is a 'safe' WISC score for AAP?

No.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just got the WISC score back. Fisc 154 and all subcategories are above 99.5%. NNAT 160, Cogat 144. GBRS: 1C2F1O. Kid is active and learning very fast, which leads to disrupting classes when challenge not met thus the lower GBRS. The WISC score clearly identify him as highly gifted. what's the appeal strategy on the cover letter?

There are plenty of kids that are learning fast and not disrupting class. Appeal because he is smart and could use more of a challenge but also follow up on his behavior and help him get that under control.

[Anonymous]

I used similar Wisc results for an appeal for my kid a few years ago. My cover letter was short and polite and said something along the lines of “a child with an IQ of (test result) belongs in the advanced academic program.” I included a few quotes from the Wisc write up that supported my statement. I also had a letter from my kid’s psychologist (totally different place from the testing center) that stated that any child with these test scores is considered highly gifted and belongs in the advanced academic program. I don’t think letters are accepted any more but you get my point. The gbrs was poor—3F,1O. Good luck with your appeal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I used similar Wisc results for an appeal for my kid a few years ago. My cover letter was short and polite and said something along the lines of “a child with an IQ of (test result) belongs in the advanced academic program.” I included a few quotes from the Wisc write up that supported my statement. I also had a letter from my kid’s psychologist (totally different place from the testing center) that stated that any child with these test scores is considered highly gifted and belongs in the advanced academic program. I don’t think letters are accepted any more but you get my point. The gbrs was poor—3F,1O. Good luck with your appeal.

Thank you for your suggestion, may I ask if the appeal was successful? the WISC report he got from George Mason indicated Extremely High on all categories and throughout the report.

[Anonymous]

Yes, the appeal was successful. This was 5 years ago though—I’ve heard that these days the gbrs is weighted more and the wisc less.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, the appeal was successful. This was 5 years ago though—I’ve heard that these days the gbrs is weighted more and the wisc less.

The wisc is now barely weighed. My child was in 99th percentile with perfect GBRS as well. Took him 2 years to get in at his center school.

[Anonymous]

With that WISC, I don’t think FCPS is the right place for your child. Have you thought about Nysmith or Basis? I would really consider it, even though it would be hard financially.

Look into Virginia law, I believe they are legally required to provide gifted services for gifted children. There is no way your child is not profoundly gifted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, the appeal was successful. This was 5 years ago though—I’ve heard that these days the gbrs is weighted more and the wisc less.

The wisc is now barely weighed. My child was in 99th percentile with perfect GBRS as well. Took him 2 years to get in at his center school.

May I ask about the actual score? Was it above 145?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With that WISC, I don’t think FCPS is the right place for your child. Have you thought about Nysmith or Basis? I would really consider it, even though it would be hard financially.

Look into Virginia law, I believe they are legally required to provide gifted services for gifted children. There is no way your child is not profoundly gifted.

Yea, I just realized how profoundly gifted he is after getting the score back. Looking to get more resources for him such as Davidson Institute for profoundly gifted and Mensa for kids. Still processing this and preparing for the Appeal letter and work samples. And will look into other options after the appeal process. Will education lawyers even take on cases like this? I know people score into 130 ish on WISC, education lawyers don’t take those cases.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With that WISC, I don’t think FCPS is the right place for your child. Have you thought about Nysmith or Basis? I would really consider it, even though it would be hard financially.

Look into Virginia law, I believe they are legally required to provide gifted services for gifted children. There is no way your child is not profoundly gifted.

Do you know anything near Fairfax City? We are in the Fairfax district. he has a younger brother with a similar mental capacity about to start kindergarten. Just not as burst at the seam. So everything x2. Preferring toward the public school route with a lawyer support. And getting him more outside resources.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just got the WISC score back. Fisc 154 and all subcategories are above 99.5%. NNAT 160, Cogat 144. GBRS: 1C2F1O. Kid is active and learning very fast, which leads to disrupting classes when challenge not met thus the lower GBRS. The WISC score clearly identify him as highly gifted. what's the appeal strategy on the cover letter?

Those are some impressive scores! If you keep appealing especially with a high WISC from a private diagnosis, it's just a matter of time and effort to get the county to cave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With that WISC, I don’t think FCPS is the right place for your child. Have you thought about Nysmith or Basis? I would really consider it, even though it would be hard financially.

Look into Virginia law, I believe they are legally required to provide gifted services for gifted children. There is no way your child is not profoundly gifted.

Yea, I just realized how profoundly gifted he is after getting the score back. Looking to get more resources for him such as Davidson Institute for profoundly gifted and Mensa for kids. Still processing this and preparing for the Appeal letter and work samples. And will look into other options after the appeal process. Will education lawyers even take on cases like this? I know people score into 130 ish on WISC, education lawyers don’t take those cases.

Honestly, it won't matter whether your kid gets into AAP or not. FCPS cannot even come close to meeting your kid's needs. Perhaps a very easygoing kid with that high of an IQ would be content to sit around teaching themselves in an AAP classroom, but it doesn't sound like your kid would fit that bill. Have you considered homeschooling + AoPS classes + online gifted classes?

A lawyer will get you nowhere. Virginia law doesn't specify what makes a kid gifted and in need of services. Technically, if FCPS says that the kid isn't gifted, then legally he isn't. Or, they can say that the LIII pull out is meeting their burden of providing gifted services.