Computer issues during CoGAT?

[Anonymous]

My child had to make up the CoGAT because she was very sick that week. My child reports that there were a ton of computer problems for the make up test, including having to make multiple attempts to start a section and it just returning to the home screen when she wasn't done. The testing coordinator was aware of the issue but just had her move on to the next session. I reached out to the testing coordinator but I am really concerned this is not a fixable issue. What is our recourse in this situation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child had to make up the CoGAT because she was very sick that week. My child reports that there were a ton of computer problems for the make up test, including having to make multiple attempts to start a section and it just returning to the home screen when she wasn't done. The testing coordinator was aware of the issue but just had her move on to the next session. I reached out to the testing coordinator but I am really concerned this is not a fixable issue. What is our recourse in this situation?

Happened at our school - almost same issue. Our DC told us. When asked school they said wouldn’t make a difference. Guessing you will get told same that happens a lot and makes no difference, but if does to you, could ask if they allow retake. We don’t do so don’t know that answer.

[Anonymous]

The school emailed me back about this - I guess they report it to some kind of central testing office and await instruction. Sigh.

[Anonymous]

This is nuts!! How are they able to just shrug and say it doesn't matter?

[Anonymous]

One option would be to pre-emptively book a WISC with George Mason so you have another data point to submit, but it's not cheap.

[Anonymous]

CogAT stands For Cognitive Abilities Test, it is abbreviated CogAT, not CoGAT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One option would be to pre-emptively book a WISC with George Mason so you have another data point to submit, but it's not cheap.

FWIW, we found the WISC valuable in it's own right, independent of AAP consideration. For example, both our kids have near identical GAI overall scores, but one has >150 processing speed, the other ~110. This insight (along with observations and conversations with our kids) has helped us better understand the "why" behind some of our kids' strengths and challenges... for DC1 understanding how frustrating it is for them to slow down on easy work (and why they sometimes make simple mistakes), and working on better strategies for them than simply repeatedly telling them "slow down" or "take your time". For DC2 it was realizing that when they need more time with their homework or the same material as DC1, it's not because of lack of focus (which is how it previously came across to us sometimes) or because they're less smart, but more often they are just thinking through it a bit more deeply on the first pass. The subscores themselves aren't prescriptive, but they certainly helped point us in the right direction in terms of what to look for in better understanding our kids, their thinking/learning styles, and how to best support them for growth.

Agree it's not cheap though... $425. https://cews.cehd.gmu.edu/cognitive-assessment-program/individual-assessment/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One option would be to pre-emptively book a WISC with George Mason so you have another data point to submit, but it's not cheap.

FWIW, we found the WISC valuable in it's own right, independent of AAP consideration. For example, both our kids have near identical GAI overall scores, but one has >150 processing speed, the other ~110. This insight (along with observations and conversations with our kids) has helped us better understand the "why" behind some of our kids' strengths and challenges... for DC1 understanding how frustrating it is for them to slow down on easy work (and why they sometimes make simple mistakes), and working on better strategies for them than simply repeatedly telling them "slow down" or "take your time". For DC2 it was realizing that when they need more time with their homework or the same material as DC1, it's not because of lack of focus (which is how it previously came across to us sometimes) or because they're less smart, but more often they are just thinking through it a bit more deeply on the first pass. The subscores themselves aren't prescriptive, but they certainly helped point us in the right direction in terms of what to look for in better understanding our kids, their thinking/learning styles, and how to best support them for growth.

Agree it's not cheap though... $425. https://cews.cehd.gmu.edu/cognitive-assessment-program/individual-assessment/

This is good info - thank you! Would they WISC help in the first round or is it better to wait and use if we need to appeal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One option would be to pre-emptively book a WISC with George Mason so you have another data point to submit, but it's not cheap.

FWIW, we found the WISC valuable in it's own right, independent of AAP consideration. For example, both our kids have near identical GAI overall scores, but one has >150 processing speed, the other ~110. This insight (along with observations and conversations with our kids) has helped us better understand the "why" behind some of our kids' strengths and challenges... for DC1 understanding how frustrating it is for them to slow down on easy work (and why they sometimes make simple mistakes), and working on better strategies for them than simply repeatedly telling them "slow down" or "take your time". For DC2 it was realizing that when they need more time with their homework or the same material as DC1, it's not because of lack of focus (which is how it previously came across to us sometimes) or because they're less smart, but more often they are just thinking through it a bit more deeply on the first pass. The subscores themselves aren't prescriptive, but they certainly helped point us in the right direction in terms of what to look for in better understanding our kids, their thinking/learning styles, and how to best support them for growth.

Agree it's not cheap though... $425. https://cews.cehd.gmu.edu/cognitive-assessment-program/individual-assessment/

This is good info - thank you! Would they WISC help in the first round or is it better to wait and use if we need to appeal?

If you use it in the first round, that's one less item you have for appeal. Then appeal is only limited to more parent write-up and work samples, which are pretty limiting.

[Anonymous]

Dp - this happened to my kid too. Is this a widespread issue?

[Anonymous]

Last year there were issues with the cogat administration and they put it on hold countywide for several weeks. DD was taking the one time retest as a 3rd grader and had 1 test day and then resumed it much later. The scores didn't come back until a couple days or the day before the packet was due.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Last year there were issues with the cogat administration and they put it on hold countywide for several weeks. DD was taking the one time retest as a 3rd grader and had 1 test day and then resumed it much later. The scores didn't come back until a couple days or the day before the packet was due.

Even without issues there's no guarantee you get scores before the deadline at all. If you think your child needs full-time AAP, parent refer.