It's official: CogAT scores are not age-adjusted this year!!!

[Anonymous]

My kid is a Jan kid and she doesn't make it but her friend a May kid does. It depends on the kid's own ability.

AAP is for someone who can take the challenge of a more advanced curriculum starting Sept 13, but not according to the kid's birthday.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid is a Jan kid and she doesn't make it but her friend a May kid does. It depends on the kid's own ability.

AAP is for someone who can take the challenge of a more advanced curriculum starting Sept 13, but not according to the kid's birthday.

This is what these tests are trying to predict that will happen after the 3rd and 4th grades. But in order for these tests, administered while in 1st and 2nd grade, to be reliable they have to take into account the kids' age. This is a fact. Otherwise FCPS is formally endorsing redshirting and sex between January and March.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If admission were based only on test scores, this argument would have validity.

Chill out and wait for the admission decisions before you freak out. There is an appeal process for a reason.

My child was born in July (young) and scored 93%. He was sick during the NNAT test and scored 130. Did not make the cut off. He has good grades.

We cannot afford the WISC, I cannot appeal with any new test scores. Doesn't look good for us.

If you qualify for free or reduced lunch, GMU will administer the WISC for free. Otherwise, it's around $375. I know it's tough for those in the middle, but there are ways to make up the difference. Ask grandparents, sell some stuff on Craigslist, get creative.

OP here. If we make it on the initial application that will be great. Not sure what the purpose of the pool is, if everyone can refer in anyway. My understanding is that on appeal the WISC is the key. It is unfair to me , and many of my friends that don't speak good English or understand the system to have to manage this entire process ourselves. It should be done by the school system where only those in the know, or who have money know hire to hire professionals to get a good WISC score.

Thanks to the other poster that suggested I adjust the scores myself. I am not a great at statistics and should not have to explain the test to the County. Also, asked the teacher about the recommendation form, and she said she could not discuss it with individual parents. She said I could get a copy after it is submitted. No big help there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid is a Jan kid and she doesn't make it but her friend a May kid does. It depends on the kid's own ability.

AAP is for someone who can take the challenge of a more advanced curriculum starting Sept 13, but not according to the kid's birthday.

Then, FCPS should use a test that is not affected by age. CogAT is not one of those. And by the way, how do you propose that they determine "who can take the challenge of a more advanced curriculum"? Through parent-referral?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is a Jan kid and she doesn't make it but her friend a May kid does. It depends on the kid's own ability.

AAP is for someone who can take the challenge of a more advanced curriculum starting Sept 13, but not according to the kid's birthday.

This is what these tests are trying to predict that will happen after the 3rd and 4th grades. But in order for these tests, administered while in 1st and 2nd grade, to be reliable they have to take into account the kids' age. This is a fact. Otherwise FCPS is formally endorsing redshirting and sex between January and March.

???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If admission were based only on test scores, this argument would have validity.

Chill out and wait for the admission decisions before you freak out. There is an appeal process for a reason.

My child was born in July (young) and scored 93%. He was sick during the NNAT test and scored 130. Did not make the cut off. He has good grades.

We cannot afford the WISC, I cannot appeal with any new test scores. Doesn't look good for us.

If you qualify for free or reduced lunch, GMU will administer the WISC for free. Otherwise, it's around $375. I know it's tough for those in the middle, but there are ways to make up the difference. Ask grandparents, sell some stuff on Craigslist, get creative.

OP here. If we make it on the initial application that will be great. Not sure what the purpose of the pool is, if everyone can refer in anyway. My understanding is that on appeal the WISC is the key. It is unfair to me , and many of my friends that don't speak good English or understand the system to have to manage this entire process ourselves. It should be done by the school system where only those in the know, or who have money know hire to hire professionals to get a good WISC score.

Thanks to the other poster that suggested I adjust the scores myself. I am not a great at statistics and should not have to explain the test to the County. Also, asked the teacher about the recommendation form, and she said she could not discuss it with individual parents. She said I could get a copy after it is submitted. No big help there.

If you are an underrepresented, non native speaker, that is the demographic that fcps said they are trying to bring into the fold, at the meetings last fall. The fact that your child is coming from a school with many esl students, and also many free/reduced lunch students might also help your child's case. I would also look into the data of how many kids at your school traditionally qualify for AAP, and include that in your packet. If your child scored so close to the cut off, but is from a demographic where few kids actually make it into AAP, then perhaps that shows that your child is at the top for children with similar language and socioeconomic issues.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, hit send too soon.

...If you are an underrepresented, non native speaker, that is the demographic that fcps said they are trying to bring into the fold, at the meetings last fall. The fact that your child is coming from a school with many esl students, and also many free/reduced lunch students might also help your child's case. I would also look into the data of how many kids at your school traditionally qualify for AAP, and include that in your packet. If your child scored so close to the cut off, but is from a demographic where few kids actually make it into AAP, then perhaps that shows that your child is at the top for children with similar language and socioeconomic issues, and will also demonstrate the challenges your child is facing, and the potential your child shows in spite of those challenges.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is a Jan kid and she doesn't make it but her friend a May kid does. It depends on the kid's own ability.

AAP is for someone who can take the challenge of a more advanced curriculum starting Sept 13, but not according to the kid's birthday.

This is what these tests are trying to predict that will happen after the 3rd and 4th grades. But in order for these tests, administered while in 1st and 2nd grade, to be reliable they have to take into account the kids' age. This is a fact. Otherwise FCPS is formally endorsing redshirting and sex between January and March.

???

Not really AAP material now, are we? "Fruitful" sex between Jan. and March produces kids born Oct. through Dec., aka "the older kids in the grade"...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is a Jan kid and she doesn't make it but her friend a May kid does. It depends on the kid's own ability.

AAP is for someone who can take the challenge of a more advanced curriculum starting Sept 13, but not according to the kid's birthday.

This is what these tests are trying to predict that will happen after the 3rd and 4th grades. But in order for these tests, administered while in 1st and 2nd grade, to be reliable they have to take into account the kids' age. This is a fact. Otherwise FCPS is formally endorsing redshirting and sex between January and March.

???

Not really AAP material now, are we? "Fruitful" sex between Jan. and March produces kids born Oct. through Dec., aka "the older kids in the grade"...

Heh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the purpose of AAP? Why it has to be age adjusted? It is so normal that kids who are older to score higher.

School year starts at September for everyone. You can't ask the school to start at April as your kid is younger and he deserve a fair starting point just as his older classmates, right?

The opposite opinion is the following: until before 4th grade, age does play an important role in kids' performance, hence the need to standardize such tests. This is a well-known and established fact. After that age kids are on par. It's rather simple, and it is the national practice.

It is not like this is the only shot to get into the program.

You can parent refer in future years, or the teacher can recommend next year.

[Anonymous]

One saying is that boys' development is slower than girls'. Do we need a gender-adjusted score too?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One saying is that boys' development is slower than girls'. Do we need a gender-adjusted score too?

[Anonymous]

If FCPS is making CogAT grade-adjusted (which agree with, and I think makes total sense btw,) I could see the argument in making the redshirted kids' scores be adjusted for the grade they were supposed to be in. That would definitely give pause to many parents thinking a redshirt will give their kid an advantage in getting into AAP.

[Anonymous]

What is redshirt?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If FCPS is making CogAT grade-adjusted (which agree with, and I think makes total sense btw,) I could see the argument in making the redshirted kids' scores be adjusted for the grade they were supposed to be in. That would definitely give pause to many parents thinking a redshirt will give their kid an advantage in getting into AAP.

How is that any different than a parent doling out tons of cash on prep classes to give their kid the advantage of getting into AAP??

Either way the parent is doing what they think is best for their child, maybe some parents can't afford hundreds of $$$ for prep classes and decide to redshirt instead.

Either situation is a manipulation on the parent's part to give their kid an advantage.