How is redshirting handled my MCES for GT programs?

[Anonymous]

I was wondering if any one know hows MCES system deals with redshirted applicants for GT program. Basically, we are thinking of applying for GT in TPES. Our DS is in KG he turned 5 this past Sept. We have neighbors that redshirted their kid, he is in KG this year and he turned 6 early Sept. last year his kid was in KG in private so this is his second year in KG. They are not planning to apply to TPES but this got me thinking. If they were to apply how does MC handle this age diff. I was hoping someone knows if MC takes into consideration kids age and not just grade when kids apply for advanced programs.

if our DS tests well for TPES magnet, we will apply for magnet in 4th grade. How does MC handle this age diff in 4th grade?

[Anonymous]

I assume that MCPS handles it by if you're in third grade, you're in third grade. How do you think that MCPS should handle it?

[Anonymous]

They just address it by grade.

Don't overthink it. Even if he doesn't test well for TPES, you will know if he's ready for/needs the 4th grade. If you suspect he is, you should go ahead and apply.

I know kids in the magnet who grade skipped and were therefore a year or more younger than the average kid in the magnet. They didn't get special consideration.

[Anonymous]

MCPS only looks at grade for magnet applications, not age. But, this post brings up an issue I have with the TPES primary magnet. When you look at 5 and 6 year olds, a lot of their abilities are developmentally determined, and not an indication that they are gifted. Some kids just learn to read earlier than others for example, but it doesn't mean they are gifted in any way. I know several kids who attended the TPES magnet, and by third or fourth grade, they were just regular, average students. Don't assume that a child who gets into the TPES magnet will be a good candidate for an HGC in 4th grade.

[Anonymous]

I am confused. The cutoff for K in MCPS is Sept 1. So the kid who turned 6 in early September was not redshirted. He is just one of the older ones. Or am I missing something?

[Anonymous]

I know that the Cogat test given to 3rd graders to select for their entry into the Highly Gifted Centers in 4th grade is calculated according to the date of birth (so that their answers can be compared to a representative cohort of their own age group in order to come up with a percentile, as in every IQ test).

So in my opinion this slightly disadvantages children who have been redshirted because their score will be computed by comparison to children of their own age group in a higher grade, not the children in their current grade. While these IQ tests are not knowledge-based, being in a higher grade at the time of the test and having been challenged intellectually in that way probably does prepare the student better.

[Anonymous]

I know some TPES magnet kids who got into HGC and others who did not; same for the cohort of kids getting into MS magnets. Like the county says for each application program, one program does not automatically lead to the next. Kids have to test in each time.

Obviously, there's good and bad in that. Inclusion for all is important. Having to continually move schools to get a child's education needs met is hard. My 4th grader has now been in 4 different school buildings. (K at home school; 1-2 at TPES; 3 at Piney Branch; 4-5 at HGC)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am confused. The cutoff for K in MCPS is Sept 1. So the kid who turned 6 in early September was not redshirted. He is just one of the older ones. Or am I missing something?

Exactly. I was thinking the same thing.

[Anonymous]

My children went to a HGC. There were quite a few kids who skipped a grade at K-1st (younger kids). They were as smart as their "older" peers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know that the Cogat test given to 3rd graders to select for their entry into the Highly Gifted Centers in 4th grade is calculated according to the date of birth (so that their answers can be compared to a representative cohort of their own age group in order to come up with a percentile, as in every IQ test). So in my opinion this slightly disadvantages children who have been redshirted because their score will be computed by comparison to children of their own age group in a higher grade, not the children in their current grade. While these IQ tests are not knowledge-based, being in a higher grade at the time of the test and having been challenged intellectually in that way probably does prepare the student better.

I don't think that is true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am confused. The cutoff for K in MCPS is Sept 1. So the kid who turned 6 in early September was not redshirted. He is just one of the older ones. Or am I missing something?

People skip a year to make their child smarter and bigger for athletics and academics. MCPS does nothing to curb it. My daughter has kids in various ages but she had a 6th grader that turned 13 in March of this year. Insane.

I think the cut off should be Sept 1st and you can test your child in up until Oct 1st BUT also have to test your kid out of K if they are 5 by Aug 1st. Meaning you have to have a meeting to show proof of why your child can not start K. This whole redshirting is getting ridiculous.

That said, I remember someone mentioning you can not play sports after 18yrs old so that could change senior year people who hold back to much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am confused. The cutoff for K in MCPS is Sept 1. So the kid who turned 6 in early September was not redshirted. He is just one of the older ones. Or am I missing something?

Exactly. I was thinking the same thing.

Ditto here. And the child who turned 5 in Sept in KG had to have taken the early entrance exam or this child would not be in a MCPS KG program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know that the Cogat test given to 3rd graders to select for their entry into the Highly Gifted Centers in 4th grade is calculated according to the date of birth (so that their answers can be compared to a representative cohort of their own age group in order to come up with a percentile, as in every IQ test). So in my opinion this slightly disadvantages children who have been redshirted because their score will be computed by comparison to children of their own age group in a higher grade, not the children in their current grade. While these IQ tests are not knowledge-based, being in a higher grade at the time of the test and having been challenged intellectually in that way probably does prepare the student better.

I don't think that is true.

We were told the score used the child's date of birth during a Highly Gifted Center meeting for parents.
Also, this is how every IQ test is calculated (WISC-IV included) so it makes sense that the Cogat would be scored in the same way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know that the Cogat test given to 3rd graders to select for their entry into the Highly Gifted Centers in 4th grade is calculated according to the date of birth (so that their answers can be compared to a representative cohort of their own age group in order to come up with a percentile, as in every IQ test). So in my opinion this slightly disadvantages children who have been redshirted because their score will be computed by comparison to children of their own age group in a higher grade, not the children in their current grade. While these IQ tests are not knowledge-based, being in a higher grade at the time of the test and having been challenged intellectually in that way probably does prepare the student better.

I don't think that is true.

We were told the score used the child's date of birth during a Highly Gifted Center meeting for parents.
Also, this is how every IQ test is calculated (WISC-IV included) so it makes sense that the Cogat would be scored in the same way.

You are right. Our child's test had the exact age (years/months) printed on the results page. They are, like all IQ tests, calculated based on age.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know that the Cogat test given to 3rd graders to select for their entry into the Highly Gifted Centers in 4th grade is calculated according to the date of birth (so that their answers can be compared to a representative cohort of their own age group in order to come up with a percentile, as in every IQ test). So in my opinion this slightly disadvantages children who have been redshirted because their score will be computed by comparison to children of their own age group in a higher grade, not the children in their current grade. While these IQ tests are not knowledge-based, being in a higher grade at the time of the test and having been challenged intellectually in that way probably does prepare the student better.

I don't think that is true.

We were told the score used the child's date of birth during a Highly Gifted Center meeting for parents.
Also, this is how every IQ test is calculated (WISC-IV included) so it makes sense that the Cogat would be scored in the same way.

You are right. Our child's test had the exact age (years/months) printed on the results page. They are, like all IQ tests, calculated based on age.

On my child's letter I saw his scores and the median scores for accpeted students. I didn't see his birthdate or any evidence that the students weren't scored the same.