Gifted and Talented/Cognitive Abilities Test

[Anonymous]

I understand that the Cognitive abilities test is used to indicate if a child should go to GT in Fairfax. We got our test back and my 7 yo 2nd grade child scored in the 95th %. Anyone have experience with getting sent to GT? When do they tell you? What is the typical score cut off? Do they base the decision solely on CAT or do they take classroom performance into consideration?

My child has been having problems with her teacher - not listening, not following directions, not finishing work, being sloppy - I wonder if she's been bored all this time? I don't know if, based on her classroom performance, which is only "satisfactory", not "good" or "outstanding", they will recommend her for GT or not. In fact I don't know if she SHOULD go....

If you have experience with this, any insights are appreciated.

[Anonymous]

I suggest you read the FAQ on the FCPS website as it outlines the entire procedure.

Here's the link:

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

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your reply!

I am the OP and also posted this thread about my second grader and her problems with her teacher, which led to my daughter peeing her pants, twice:

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/132027.page#1139390

My concern is that, based on my daughter's classroom performance, which is reported as satisfactory, and the fact that to be honest, I don't think the teacher likes her, I fear the teacher is going to oppose sending my child to GT.

Since I posted the "conflict" thread, I have done several things to address the problems I told you all about.

First, I met with the teacher and had a heart to heart, which I thought went well.

However a week later, my daughter wet her pants again. This time I called and emailed the assistant principal and it was clear I was not happy. I got a call back that day from the teacher, who was defensive. I told the teacher, “This is not about you. This is about my child. I don’t care what you have to do; I want her sent to the bathroom more frequently”. That has been implemented and the pants wetting stopped.


I also took my child to the Inova Keller testing center. They have done a battery of tests over the last 6 weeks or so and we should have the results soon. Additionally I took my child to an occupational therapist to find out if she could tell me anything about my child’s handwriting problems. She is working on her final report.

I understand, after looking at the website, that the CAT is only one factor in determining GT. My concern is whether my child’s classroom problems will prevent her from going to GT – and, maybe I shouldn’t push it if she’s not capable of performing in a GT classroom either.

So, my reaching out to you all, to find out if you’ve had any experience with a GT program, how the whole process worked, any problems you encountered. The web site doesn’t tell me, for example, how they weight the scores, whether certain percentiles are a clear indication of GT, how they might accommodate ADHD. All things I realize you may not know either….. unless you’ve experienced the process perhaps?

Sorry for the long post and thanks for any feedback!

[Anonymous]

The web site doesn’t tell me, for example, how they weight the scores, whether certain percentiles are a clear indication of GT,

There is no formula for this. It's a case-by-case assessment of the child's entire file. Also, the program has been called AAP for 2 years now; it's no longer GT.

95th percentile scores are usually below the automatic screening pool cutoff - it's more like 98-97th for the pool, but of course kids with scores below that get in via referral.

[Anonymous]

Thanks PP. I wonder if you might be the elementary school teacher I sometimes see on these boards

Do you know what happens if a child scores 98% in one category and has a lower score in another category? Can they do AAP for just one subject area?

[Anonymous]

Orig Poster,
I feel for you with the challenges at school. I'm sorry your daughter is having a tough time with the teacher--that's got to be very stressful for her (and for you!).

We just learned that our son is in the pool, no scores yet. He's also received a lot of S and G grades, very few Os (usually just in PE and art). When we spoke with the teacher last fall about hoping he'd be admitted to the Lev IV program, his teacher said "he could surprise us." So I share your concern about whether he'll have a strong recommendation.

I'm a graduate of the Fx Co GT center program--I attended from 4th-8th grade, then took AP courses with my GT classmates in high school. I'm now 40 and look back on those years of education as critical in having shaped me socially as well as academically. I blossomed from a shy and withdrawn child into a happy, well adjusted and confident person. I credit having spent formative years with other kids who thought the way I did, were on my wavelength, and didn't see me as "weird" for being curious and raising "strange" questions. I am thrilled that my child might have the same opportunity.

I hope this helps and I wish you all the best with your DD.

[Anonymous]

I have one son who is in GT and another who just received a letter indicating he is in the screening pool. Test scores are just one factor to get into the GT program. There is a parent form that you should fill out, submit work samples that may show exceptional skills, and recommendation letters. Grades, prior reading scores, and teacher assessments are also used to decide who gets into the program. While a recommendation letter and work samples may sound over the top, every little bit counts. I have heard stories of kids who score several points higher than the 'cutoff' for the screening pool but they do not make it into GT. If they don't make it the first time, I hear from other people that they appeal the decision and often get in later.

I would recommend that you do everything you can to get into the program. Once your child gets in, you can decide later if you want them to actually attend a GT center or local level IV classes. It's my understanding that once they get accepted to the GT program, they are always in the program (e.g., they could choose not to attend in 3rd or 4th grade but then start at a GT center in 5th grade). I've never heard of any parent taking that path but I understand that it happens if the child isn't ready.

If it helps, my boss tells me that he was in a GT program in elementary school and was not well liked by the teachers. He was frequently in trouble and received an unsatisfactory for behavior. He straightened up in Jr. High and later went on to graduate from Harvard and start several successful businesses. Brilliant guy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Orig Poster,
I feel for you with the challenges at school. I'm sorry your daughter is having a tough time with the teacher--that's got to be very stressful for her (and for you!).

We just learned that our son is in the pool, no scores yet. He's also received a lot of S and G grades, very few Os (usually just in PE and art). When we spoke with the teacher last fall about hoping he'd be admitted to the Lev IV program, his teacher said "he could surprise us." So I share your concern about whether he'll have a strong recommendation.

I'm a graduate of the Fx Co GT center program--I attended from 4th-8th grade, then took AP courses with my GT classmates in high school. I'm now 40 and look back on those years of education as critical in having shaped me socially as well as academically. I blossomed from a shy and withdrawn child into a happy, well adjusted and confident person. I credit having spent formative years with other kids who thought the way I did, were on my wavelength, and didn't see me as "weird" for being curious and raising "strange" questions. I am thrilled that my child might have the same opportunity.

I hope this helps and I wish you all the best with your DD.

We had a similar issue last year, PP. Actually, DC had good grades, but the teachers didn't think DC excelled. Despite good test scores, DC did not get in. We appealed and DC got in. Lo and behold, DC loves the AAP Center school and is doing great this year!!! The teachers were just wrong. My advice -- do a strong package and appeal if you don't get in. WISC testing helps, too, to prove that the CogAt was not a fluke.

[Anonymous]

We had a similar issue last year, PP. Actually, DC had good grades, but the teachers didn't think DC excelled. Despite good test scores, DC did not get in. We appealed and DC got in. Lo and behold, DC loves the AAP Center school and is doing great this year!!! The teachers were just wrong. My advice -- do a strong package and appeal if you don't get in. WISC testing helps, too, to prove that the CogAt was not a fluke.

Same issues here with DC's 2nd grade teacher. Great test scores but low GBRS. Appealed with additional scores and got in. DC loves AAP center. Also, I am so happy that DC stopped saying "I don't want to be a nerd". I am thinking about e-mailing DC's 2nd grade teacher and GT specilist about how wrong they were.

[Anonymous]

OP here, thanks for your experiences with AAP centers.

A friend of mine was telling me that for kids with attentional disorders, poor work habits, poor organizational skills, etc., that an AAP center may be too high pressure, too much responsibility. Do any of you agree that the AAP centers are "high pressure"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thanks for your experiences with AAP centers.

A friend of mine was telling me that for kids with attentional disorders, poor work habits, poor organizational skills, etc., that an AAP center may be too high pressure, too much responsibility. Do any of you agree that the AAP centers are "high pressure"?

I think maybe it depends on the center. Ours (Haycock) does not seem crazy high pressure. I think it is a good balance there. I was worried that it was the wrong decision for my DC but it has been the right decision. DC is so much happier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thanks for your experiences with AAP centers.

A friend of mine was telling me that for kids with attentional disorders, poor work habits, poor organizational skills, etc., that an AAP center may be too high pressure, too much responsibility. Do any of you agree that the AAP centers are "high pressure"?

I think maybe it depends on the center. Ours (Haycock) does not seem crazy high pressure. I think it is a good balance there. I was worried that it was the wrong decision for my DC but it has been the right decision. DC is so much happier.

Same thing here (we're at Canterbury Woods) and DC just loves it and is SO much happier!

[Anonymous]

We are at Mantua and were previously at a Local Level IV. Honestly, our experience at the center has been much better than our base school, even the LLIV class. My DD has some executive function issues (ADHD-like behaviors, but not diagnosed as ADHD) and she does much better at the center. They seem a lot better prepared to handle kids like her (smart, but with some issues). At her last school, they focused a lot on her issues, but didn't really seem like they knew how to help her.

[Anonymous]

we just got a letter with cogAT and NNAT scores, its very confusing! The letter says' This is to notify you that your child is in 2nd grade pool of candidates who will be screened for fulltime AAP placement.' what does that mean? Is she in or not? Please advice

[Anonymous]

That letter does not mean that your child is "in" or "out" of GT.
It just means that they are in the group of kids being considered for placement.
The final decisions usually come in April.