Loudoun County FUTURA decisions

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know what the decision for Loudoun County FUTURA program is made?

[Anonymous]

From the LCPS website...

When is notification of eligibility sent to parent/guardians?
For spring screening, notification of eligibility of students in the pool is mailed in May. For parent and teacher referrals, notification is mailed in June.
Referrals for students new to LCPS, who submit a referral for Futura or Spectrum programs, should receive notification within 45 days after the Gifted Resource teacher receives the referral.
Referrals are taken on a continuous basis, however, only those referrals received by May 1 will be processed before the end of the school year. Referrals after that date will be processed the next school year, and may result in delayed decisions and placements.

[Anonymous]

I am waiting too. My DC was in the district pool and I was told the same thing as the PP copied from the LCPS website. We have not heard anything yet.

[Anonymous]

Gads! That statement from the website is so vague its laughable.

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure if you've received your notification yet, but generally during the 3rd quarter of the school year you'll receive a letter from the school system notifying you that your child has passed the initial screening tests (they do some standardized testing in both the 2nd and 3rd grades and take teacher input) along with a questionnaire for you to fill out about your child. The questionnaire asks you to describe when you noticed special skills in your child and allows you to provide a portfolio of their work, if desired. I don't remember exactly when the final notification is sent to parents but it's either very close to the end of the school year (in the late May/June timeframe). Our FUTURA school even had an open house where we could visit the rooms, meet the teachers, and learn some about the program. You will certainly know early enough to either appeal or make plans for the next school year. In September, you'll then be invited to an open house and special back to school night at your FUTURA school. I hope this helps!

[Anonymous]

Hi, I just received my letter and it was a no go. I am not sure why since my daughter scored very well on both the COGAT and the NNAT. Any ideas on what I should do next. Thanks for any help you can give me.

[Anonymous]

There must be an appeals process described online.

[Anonymous]

I believe you have 10 days to appeal, but I would also meet with your SEARCH teacher at your school to see what was in her file. If test scores are not the issue, then it could be the teacher recommendation. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Hi, I saw the thread for FCPS talking about WISC scores. Does anyone know if we did not have a good teacher recommendation would a strong WISC score help with our appeals as well. I am just curious to know before I spend any money. Thanks for any help you can give me.

[Anonymous]

I know in FCPS it can help to have a high WISC if the GBRS are low, but not sure if that is the same in Loudoun. The program is very different from Fairfax. So that is a hard one to say. I have no experience with appeal, but if the test scores are already high then the WISC may not help as much. Any way you can talk to the classroom or GT teacher?

[Anonymous]

Most of the time class teacher give good recommendations to room moms' kids.My son's class teacher was very rude when I asked her why a child with 99 percentile abilities test score didn't get in.

[Anonymous]

My son scored 99% percentile NNAT test and has scored a 10 on every academic challenge given by the search teacher in 2 and 3 grade. We think his GBRS score is low, since he is shy and reserved child in the classroom and we feel neither his teacher nor his search recommend him for the program. The weighting of the evaluation doesn't feel reflect the child's true pontential. It seems unfair and very biased, we are considering appealing, but we unsure that his Lego creations and art work are enough to reverse the decision.

[Anonymous]

My daughter was rejected to GT loudoun county this year too. She is shy and reserved, doesn't talk much in school. She tole me she does not like school because it is boring. She is obviously not challenged at school. I am going to appeal. Anyone has any experience of appealing? What are crucial factors to get it accepted? What is the percentage they reject candidate from the pool? I am sending email to search teacher to see if I can view her files. Anyway, loudoun county GT seems very different from Fairfax county. I think LC does not have enough resource/experience to run GT.

[Anonymous]

Is anyone going for the parent appeal? Just wanted to know any psychologists for the WISC IV test.

[Anonymous]

I totally agree with the reviews being biased. If the test scores are not enough to determine the cognitive ability of a child why even bother to administer the test. My DD is in the same boat with 99% NNAT, 96% COGAT and still received a letter as being ineligible when a child with 93% NNAT has got in. With Loudoun county the appeal being needed to be done in 10 days I dont think I have the time to make her take a WISC test to submit it as a part of her appeal. I'm meeting with her SEARCH teacher to understand about samples that were submitted and to see what other substantiation can be included in her appeal. I'm disillusioned by the Public School System now.