Anyone had luck with a Ffx County GT Appeal?

[Anonymous]

Hi, there:

We recently filled out all of the paperwork for DD to be considered for GT Center placement in FFx County but are concerned she will be turned down. She has a FSIQ score on file of 140 (from a WPPSI test) from several years ago but her most recent testing was much lower -- in the 120s & below the threshold score. I don't think her IQ degenerated in that time; she was complaining of fatigue and ended up with a week-long flu that had surfaced by the next morning so I just think it was a bad day all-around. Report cards are glowing and teacher rating form is excellent, however, I am concerned that she will be declined.

My questions:
*Anyone have an experience of getting in on appeal?

*What kind of "new information" is most helpful to launch an appeal? We'll receive the decision in January but only have a few weeks in which to appeal.

*Our area GT Center is considered less-desirable (i.e. less rigorous, smaller, students score lower, and with fewer GT trained staff) than the one a district over. I am wondering if that plays a part in the GT-eligible decision at all. Is it easier to be found GT-Center eligible in an area where there just aren't that many candidates? (I know they would never officially say this; just wondering if anyone has an opinion.)

Thanks in advance for any feedback,
El

[Anonymous]

Have you gotten your scores back for the CoGAT and the NNAT yet? That and the GBRS form are the primary factors that determine GT eligibility. Most people only include IQ testing if they are denied the first time. I assume you are applying from private which is why your application is in so early? If you have a choice, I would not include your DD's more recent test scores in your application packet.

GT eligibility is determined at the center office and is not affected by the local school. Kids carry their GT eligibility with them to any FCPS school, so I don't think that the availability of "slots" at any one GT Center is a factor. Also, many schools now have Local Level IV programs that are very popular with many parents, so that would make Center spots even less of a factor.

[Anonymous]

What grade is your child in now? Is she already in FCPS or transferring in from a private school?

IQ does not degenerate. It's only possible to test below your ability, not above it. Therefore, her highest score is the most accurate, and the screening committee should know that. Did you submit both scores?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What grade is your child in now? Is she already in FCPS or transferring in from a private school?

IQ does not degenerate. It's only possible to test below your ability, not above it. Therefore, her highest score is the most accurate, and the screening committee should know that. Did you submit both scores?

It is my understanding that the WPPSI is not an accurate measure of IQ - so although IQ may not degenerate, the score may actually not have been an accurate reflection of the child's intelligence.

[Anonymous]

I would have her privately assessed/tested so you can rule out the "wasn't feeling well on test day" issue. The WPPSI score is irrelevant since it was so long ago.

[Anonymous]

10:57 here -- and I would also suggest contacting the GT office directly to ask for their advice as to how to best proceed.

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

Contact: [e-mail]
[phone]

[Anonymous]

Page 11 of this document indicates that, if your child is not declared eligible the first time, they are much more likely to get in on appeal with new results from individual testing.

http://www.boarddocs.com/vsba/Fairfax/Board.nsf/39c6389c088be51585256e56000c1bf2/2b1b2b585a5d305e852570fb004f3f9f/$FILE/Gifted%20and%20Talented%20Center%20Program.pdf

There's a lot of really interesting info in there about demographics and test scores of those in the possible GT center pool.

I think most people who appeal schedule an appointment with GMU for the WISC, but you may be better off using a private psychologist with a VA license. The latter is more expensive, I think.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Yes, sorry -- DD is currently in private school in 2nd grade but we're not very happy with it. DS is in 3rd at the GT Center and, by contrast, is having a fabulous year. We sent DD's materials in for the decision in January so that we can make a decision about where to send her w/o needing to give a hefty deposit to the private school first.

Both kids have similar profiles and abilities so I feel pretty confident that her scores should be higher. My understanding of the WPPSI is that it can easily underestimate a child's functioning because preschoolers make huge cognitive leaps in short spurts of time but I haven't ever heard that a child can achieve a high score that s/he didn't earn. I would have just submitted the higher WPPSI scores but FCPS requires the WISC for individual testing. The psychologist wrote the report favorably for DD so I hope I am just borrowing trouble!

Thank you, everyone, for the comments & feedback.

[Anonymous]

"New information" is usually additional test scores. It sounds like your dd took the WISC, but not the Cogat/NNAT. You can sign up for those through GMU, but I doubt you'll have the scores in time for an appeal, since they only administer them a few times a year.

My son took those group tests on a weekend in Jan., and we had the scores in a few weeks, with about two weeks to spare for the application deadline. I don't know how that meshes with the deadline for appeals for fall applicants.

[Anonymous]

OP, it would be helpful if you could list exactly what tests your DD has already taken. It makes it easier to figure out where you are in the process.

I think most GT applicants from privates take the CoGAT and NNAT and save the WISC scores in case they need to make an appeal. If you did not submit work samples and/or letters of recommendation, you can still do that if the deadline is not passed.

[Anonymous]

OP again. She took the WPPSI for private school admissions just before kindergarten (age 5) and the WISC in October of this year (age 7). I have already turned her file in for consideration and included scores from both of those tests (same psychologist for both so she was able to say with confidence that she felt the new scores weren't totally accurate based on experience with DD). She did not take the groups tests so maybe that's the way to go -- look into when she can take those at GMU in case she is not accepted first time around.

They should notify us one way or the other in early January. My impression is we just have a couple of weeks after that in which to file an appeal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again. She took the WPPSI for private school admissions just before kindergarten (age 5) and the WISC in October of this year (age 7). I have already turned her file in for consideration and included scores from both of those tests (same psychologist for both so she was able to say with confidence that she felt the new scores weren't totally accurate based on experience with DD). She did not take the groups tests so maybe that's the way to go -- look into when she can take those at GMU in case she is not accepted first time around.

They should notify us one way or the other in early January. My impression is we just have a couple of weeks after that in which to file an appeal.

Sorry I don't have much advice, OP, except to say we are in a very similar position! (Thank you posters for the info and advice). We also just applied our second grader (currently in private school) to the GT program and he scored 139 on WPPSI, but lower on the WISC. We included both scores and filled out the parent questionnaire but did not submit letters of recommendation, school work, etc. I also am beginning to think ahead to possible appeal. In retrospect, maybe we should have had him take the group tests and saved the WISC for possible appeal.

I'm confused as to how the group scores translate to the WISC. From the info provided above, it appears that the "cut-off" generally is in the high 120s? Would this be the same for the WISC?