s/o - if your 1st-grader's NNAT score isn't in-pool, are you doing anything now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The GBRS is not based at all on a child's test scores. It is based on what behaviors the teacher sees in the classroom.

I would wait. A child who is just a couple points outside of the pool should still be in the 98th percentile, and could very likely get in without the need for a WISC. And if you are already set on the WISC, wait until second grade. The committee wants the testing to be recent, and if they see that you jumped the gun and had your child take the WISC in 1st grade they might think you're a bit nutty.

You really have no idea what goes on in the thinking process of the evaluator. I know the local committee (teacher, AART, principal) has the kid's whole file in front of them when they assign the GBRS, and human nature would suggest that a kid whose file contains a CogAt composite of 107 will be evaluated differently than a kid whose composite is 140. And I have to decide whether to include WISC scores in the file BEFORE I know my kid's CogAt composite.

It sounds like you've already decided.
However, it is best to look at the WISC as something that helps you to determine whether or not your child needs the center. Testing will provide a lot of insight into your child's abilities, but there is no guarantee that it's the golden ticket you're hoping for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That is a good question. What was the lowest score that was 98 percent? I think 138 or 139 was the lowest of the 99 percent. Anyone?

My DC got 135 (41/48) and it was still 99% for his age. I wouldn't be surprised if the pool cutoff is higher than 132 next year - does anyone know what the highest pool cutoff has been?

It seems that one or two questions off combined with age differences could mean making the pool or not. I'm not sure for what range I would start considering the Wisc, it really depends on the child and all the other factors. We didn't prep but did mention that he would be takign a test that day and that he should try his best - and that there might not be a lot of time for all the questions.

[Anonymous]

The GBRS is not going to be affected by the WISC score. They don't share the WISC around the school and then the principal, counselor, teacher etc. all decide wow let's give child 1 a higher score than child 2 just becuase they showed us a WISC. Our AART did not share the WISC with anyone. I handed it in with the supplemental material and the GBRS was already done. If you try to give it to them a year in advance it will just get filed away with the registrar.

[Anonymous]

I might be the odd man out here, but I'm not doing anything right now for DS. He got 90% on the NNAT (121) but I'm going to wait and see what the CogAT looks like next year. We have a child already in the program and I'm not sure if it would be a good fit for DS, who has a very different set of strengths.

[Anonymous]

My DC got 135 (41/4 and it was still 99% for his age. I wouldn't be surprised if the pool cutoff is higher than 132 next year - does anyone know what the highest pool cutoff has been?

It seems that one or two questions off combined with age differences could mean making the pool or not. I'm not sure for what range I would start considering the Wisc, it really depends on the child and all the other factors. We didn't prep but did mention that he would be takign a test that day and that he should try his best - and that there might not be a lot of time for all the questions.

The age difference alone is enough to put a child out of the pool. My child got the SAME number of questions correct - 41/48 - and scored a 126, 95th percentile - a 9-point difference in the scaled score! That score definitely will not make the pool next year.

FWIW, I'd be surprised if the cutoff went higher than 132. This year, to narrow the pool, they went with composite on the CogAT instead of using subtest scores, rather than raising the cutoff number.

[Anonymous]

My child got a very "average" score on the NNAT. Shocking, but it is what it is. The world has not ceased to exist. DC is doing very well, so we'll see how things progress. I like the center school much better than our base school but that is not likely to be an option for us. If it seems that DC is not being challenged, I'll reevaluate and have DC retested. AS much as I think the center would have been good for DC, I can't make it my life's calling to get him in there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child got a very "average" score on the NNAT. Shocking, but it is what it is. The world has not ceased to exist. DC is doing very well, so we'll see how things progress. I like the center school much better than our base school but that is not likely to be an option for us. If it seems that DC is not being challenged, I'll reevaluate and have DC retested. AS much as I think the center would have been good for DC, I can't make it my life's calling to get him in there.

What a refreshing post!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm disappointed my DC missed the pool by a few points (looks like by just one or two questions - ugh!! - and my child came home that day and told me the test was easy; I think DC didn't read through all the answers carefully & just picked the first one that looked good without looking at all possible choices - which is not terribly surprising for a 1st-grader who has never taken any type of standardized test before).

Anyway, having an in-pool score would have alleviated a lot of the stress next year so I know I will be on pins & needles waiting for CogAT scores next Jan. I'm not doing anything now, but I do have the WISC in the back of my mind.

Curious if folks are already planning for a WISC, planning to prep for CogAT next year, or thinking about anything else re this process if your DC did not test into the pool on the NNAT. (Flame away if you must!)

I could have written this post as well. Just yesterday was searching for prep courses, but am having trouble finding them and the one I did find was a 4 week long, 9 am to 5 pm course in the summer. Don't think I can bring myself to have DC spend half the summer in a prep course. On the other hand, I too will be on pins and needles waiting for the CogAT scores and then kicking myself for not prepping if the scores are disappointing.

On timing - so is the recommendation to wait for CogAT scores, parent refer if DC does not make pool, wait for decision, then take WISC if DC doesn't get in and submit appeal with WISC scores? Those experienced please chime in.

[Anonymous]

I'd say that sums up the traditional route people have taken in the past.

[Anonymous]

A 4 week prep course???? For real? When people were talking about prepping, I thought they meant those books that you can buy (Critical Thinking Company or whatever). I had no idea people were actually sending their kids to a course. that's crazy!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A 4 week prep course???? For real? When people were talking about prepping, I thought they meant those books that you can buy (Critical Thinking Company or whatever). I had no idea people were actually sending their kids to a course. that's crazy!

Some people have been sending their kids to prep courses for a few years now, according to the central office staff. And I agree with you -- I think that's crazy.

[Anonymous]

a 9-5 prep course for a rising 1st grader? That is unreal.

[Anonymous]

I bet the camp is sold as an enrichment camp.

I know (from the way my DD learns) that prep would have improved her score. But, she was admitted to AAP a couple of years ago, and yesterday brought home another good report card, with all A's except for math (B).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I bet the camp is sold as an enrichment camp.

I know (from the way my DD learns) that prep would have improved her score. But, she was admitted to AAP a couple of years ago, and yesterday brought home another good report card, with all A's except for math (B).

It is sold as an enrichment camp and includes time for play, drawing, recess, music, etc.... (in addition to verbal reasoning, logical thinking, advanced math, some standardized tests so the kids get used to the format.) If you plan to or need to have your DC in a full time summer camp anyway, I don't think its a horrible option. But I'm a SAHM and my kids have never done a 9 to 5 anything....it seems like such a long day - and for 4 weeks, it's just too long for us. Need pool time.

[Anonymous]

if your child needs a prep course then they don't belong in AAP. Sorry. The simple instruction of 'answer all the questions - don't leave any blank' is enough for any smart child. If you need a 4 week summer course, get ready for tutors in ES and sad faces when the kids look around at age 10 & 11 and realize other kids actually get the ideas faster and easier than they do.