FCPS and NNATII testing for all 1st graders

[Anonymous]

On the FCPS website:

http://www.fcps.edu/DIS/gt/faqs.html#testing

How do parent/guardians refer FCPS students for full-time AAP (level IV) center screening?
Parent/guardians of students currently enrolled in FCPS may initiate full-time AAP (level IV) center screening by submitting the AAP (Level IV) Referral Form to the Advanced Academic Resource Teacher at the local school according to the published timeline. This is the only action that is required to initiate the screening process. The referral form is located in the Parent Information Packet for AAP Screening, Testing and Identification which is available at all FCPS elementary and middle schools and on the Advanced Academic Programs website at www.fcps.edu/DIS/gt.


What tests are used to screen students for Advanced Academic services?
The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAt) and the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT) are administered to all FCPS second grade students during September/October. Students in grades 3-8 who are missing an ability test score are also tested. Parents of students in grades 3-8 may request a one-time retest option for either theCogAT or the Naglieri by informing the school at the start of the school year. Parent/guardians of students not enrolled in and attending FCPS are responsible for obtaining test results. Group ability test results will only be accepted from George Mason University (GMU), FCPS, and/or other school districts. Individual intelligence assessments administered by private psychologists will be accepted if conducted by a state licensed psychologist and the report is accompanied by a copy of the license. Please note that results must be reported as standard age scores.

Testing may also be obtained from George Mason University Psychological Clinic (telephone [phone], website http://cap.gmu.edu).

Please note: this year the NNATII was moved to first grade for the following reasons:

1. The NNATII is a nonverbal measure and does not require verbal or mathematical skills. It is designed for students as young as kindergarten.
Since the NNATII is a shorter test than the CogAT which has three separate sections, we decided to move the NNAT back to first grade in order to lessen the impact testing has on time for instruction in second grade.
2. There is a precedent, for seven years (1993-2000), we administered the CogAT in fall of first grade to all first grade students and the Otis Lennon to all second grade students -- the results of both tests were used for the second grade pool.
3. The second grade pool will continue to consist of students who score at a benchmark level on either the NNATII or one subscore of the CogAT.
The scores are not combined. As mentioned above, this has been done in the past. Test scores are only one piece of information that is reviewed when decisions are made and the process for screening and selection will remain the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:...
2. There is a precedent, for seven years (1993-2000), we administered the CogAT in fall of first grade to all first grade students and the Otis Lennon to all second grade students -- the results of both tests were used for the second grade pool....

i'm curious why it was moved to 2nd grade after 00...

[Anonymous]

management change?

I am sure someone in another 5-6 years will come up with a great reason to move this testing back to 2nd grade.