GT/AAP Decisions: JUST THE SCORES, PLEASE!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:07:46

We had very similar scores last year (don't have them out right now), and I thought ds was a shoe in. Alas, he did not get in (he was automatically in the pool). I asked for the file afterwards, and his GBRS was a 9. I had a conference with his teacher and guidance counselor later in the year (about something separate), and though they said behavior did not (and was not supposed to) figure into the GBRS, they said they would not be the least bit surprised if ds matured over the summer and skated in on parent referral this year. (which told me the GBRS was in fact impacted by his silliness, immaturity, etc.)

We did appeal last year, but not with WISC. He did not get in on appeal, which I suspected. This year we submitted a parent referral in the hopes that his new teachers' GBRS will be much higher. WISC was not a financial option for us last year or this year.

The way our school based Level IV works is that one teacher teaches Math/Science and another teaches Language/Social Studies. Though my ds is not in the Level IV group, he has both Level IV teachers. Both said he would have easily done well in the Level IV group. Hoping for a better GBRS this year. For us, that was the deciding factor. I know many who did not have the scores to qualify for the pool, but had high GBRS and got in.

I am prepared for a WISC testing. Although, my son will be wondering why he had to take some random test (especially when it is one on one). I had so much respect for the schooling system until I had experiences with teachers with low tolerance and have no idea how to discriminate academic and behavioral capabilities. Good luck to your son!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:07:46

We had very similar scores last year (don't have them out right now), and I thought ds was a shoe in. Alas, he did not get in (he was automatically in the pool). I asked for the file afterwards, and his GBRS was a 9. I had a conference with his teacher and guidance counselor later in the year (about something separate), and though they said behavior did not (and was not supposed to) figure into the GBRS, they said they would not be the least bit surprised if ds matured over the summer and skated in on parent referral this year. (which told me the GBRS was in fact impacted by his silliness, immaturity, etc.)

We did appeal last year, but not with WISC. He did not get in on appeal, which I suspected. This year we submitted a parent referral in the hopes that his new teachers' GBRS will be much higher. WISC was not a financial option for us last year or this year.

The way our school based Level IV works is that one teacher teaches Math/Science and another teaches Language/Social Studies. Though my ds is not in the Level IV group, he has both Level IV teachers. Both said he would have easily done well in the Level IV group. Hoping for a better GBRS this year. For us, that was the deciding factor. I know many who did not have the scores to qualify for the pool, but had high GBRS and got in.

I am prepared for a WISC testing. Although, my son will be wondering why he had to take some random test (especially when it is one on one). I had so much respect for the schooling system until I had experiences with teachers with low tolerance and have no idea how to discriminate academic and behavioral capabilities. Good luck to your son!

My DD thought the WISC was funs. She asked if she could come back again. We made it sound like fun and were very positive, with no pressure. We didn't call it a test. We even let her bring a Gatorade (which she usually doesn't get).

[Anonymous]

Really need to know if a GBRS of 12 is high enough for a parent referral where NNAT is about 117 and CogAT composite is 128 (no subtest at 130 or over). We put together what I think is an excellent package -- great work samples and awesome letters of recommendation. I'm concerned about the GBRS of 12 -- was hoping it would be higher. Not sure we would go the appeal route, as we feel the package that we have already submitted fairly describes our child, and if it's not enough, then she probably doesn't belong in the GT classroom. Anyone out there have experience with a similar profile? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Really need to know if a GBRS of 12 is high enough for a parent referral where NNAT is about 117 and CogAT composite is 128 (no subtest at 130 or over). We put together what I think is an excellent package -- great work samples and awesome letters of recommendation. I'm concerned about the GBRS of 12 -- was hoping it would be higher. Not sure we would go the appeal route, as we feel the package that we have already submitted fairly describes our child, and if it's not enough, then she probably doesn't belong in the GT classroom. Anyone out there have experience with a similar profile? Thanks!

I think 12 is a good score.

[Anonymous]

I'm pretty sure the committee is looking for GBRS' between 12-16

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm pretty sure the committee is looking for GBRS' between 12-16

Why are you so sure?

[Anonymous]

Our AART teacher said even a GBRS of 7-8 could get the kids in AAP. The comments here indicate minimum 12 GBRS. Which one is right?

[Anonymous]

There are people on this site whose children have 7-8 GBRS and very high test scores (140's) who get dinged. I have to believe this is atypical. Let's face it, thousands of children are admitted every year, and they can't all be in the 99th percentile with 12+ GBRS. Am I off base here?

[Anonymous]

Nothing in the mail today.

The "in pool" letter did come home in my dc's weekly folder however. We'll have to see if that's the case this time.

[Anonymous]

I have known quite a few with high (130-148) test scores, but lower GBRS (8-11 or so) who did not get in. Many of these were boys, with some distractability/behavior issues. (though that is not part of the GBRS) Most I know with decent to good test scores (120-130) but higher GBRS (12-16) did get in. So, of those I know, GBRS seemed to be more of a deciding factor than test scores. I would venture a guess that most people who submit additional material feel their letters and work samples are good, that is certainly very subjective.

[Anonymous]

I'm curious about the comments made earlier in this post about the fact that AAP is much more experiential than the regular track. We're new here and I have one kid with CoGAT 138 comp and 140 NNAT who will very likely get in (high GBRS, and letter from her previous GT program). But the other one is in 4th grade and only took the CoGAT and got 120 comp. He has huge distractability issues in class so I can't imagine his GBRS will be good, but at home he's Mr. Creative (writes stories, builds things, etc.). I very much doubt he'd get in, even on appeal, but I find the current curriculum he's going through somewhat soul-crushing for a kid like him.

Anyone care to share more of their experiences as to whether AAP is really a lot more experiential and creative or whether it's just faster math, more reading, etc.? I'm wondering whether to to home school himnext year.

[Anonymous]

Are you a teacher? You sound quite informed.

[Anonymous]

P.S. That was for 15:22.

[Anonymous]

15:40 yes, that's just what this area needs, another home schooled child!

[Anonymous]

13:31 HERE

My AART told me that GBRS scores between 12-16 were considered strong which makes sense because with a maximum of 16, and average student would score right around 8 (solely based on GBRS of course). That is why you see kids who score much higher with lower GBRS getting rejected. If you read all of these forums (specifically the cutoff forum which goes back a couple years) you will see that is pretty common. At the same time, you never know. Everyone should be optimistic If a kid belongs, he/she will get in.

Parents need to remember the committee is not looking to fill a certain amount of seats. They are only looking for reasons in the files why kids need more than what general education has to offer. Even though there may be thousands of kids in LEVEL IV, that doesn't mean there was enough room for them all, just means that is how many kids they had to accommodate.

Also, eligibility letters will definitely be mailed from the FCPS Advanced Academics. You will not get them from the school. Although i've heard of some parents being notified by their principals depending on the school. I've recieved a few different answers as to when the eligibility letters would go out. My AART told me the beginning of this week. The AAP office said Friday We'll see