Testing for gifted services in Arlington

[Anonymous]

Okay ... I will be that parent who asks the annoying question the first day of school. I'm not sure if the question should be raised here or in the AAP forum, so I'm asking in both. My son just started second grade. When he was privately tested for ADHD late last year, his test results showed he was twice exceptional and recommended gifted services. It was too late in the school year to submit the parents' request for gifted placement, so we figured we would just take care of it this year. I believe all second
graders undergo some sort of gifted testing in the fall, but I don't know any details. Can anyone please share their info about which tests the second graders take and the timing of the tests? Given my son's ADHD, it would be helpful for me to know a little more about the test to make sure he performs to the best of his abilities. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t worry about it as gifted programming in Arlington isn’t particularly... exceptional. He will either be identified or not, but it won’t really affect his education one way or another (although maybe your ego might be temporarily buoyed.)

[Anonymous]

The NNAT is administered in the fall of second grade.

[Anonymous]

The NNAT is administered in 2nd grade. From those results, a screening pool is identified and then teachers submit evidence in support of identification. You can also submit your child to the identification pool if they don’t score high enough on the test and you can submit your private testing evidence either way.

[Anonymous]

Whatever private testing you got (WISC?) is probably better than what APS gives in 2nd grade which is the Naglieri.

In addition to testing, what are you seeing in school? Does he need more challenging curriculum? Is he bored? Mastering content quickly? Is he asking for more than the teacher is giving?

You can submit a parent referral at any time up until the deadline which I think is April 30.

[Anonymous]

So basically, you want to know when the nnat is given?

[Anonymous]

He’ll be tested in the fall. It’ll take til spring to complete identification. He probably won’t get much even if he is identified.

[Anonymous]

Start a-preppin’!u

[Anonymous]

I thought APS gifted programming started at 4th grade? Or am I thinking of a different district?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought APS gifted programming started at 4th grade? Or am I thinking of a different district?

Different district.

[Anonymous]

I had private testing for ADHD and IQ for my kid to see if he was ready for K or if we should "red shirt" him.

I learned his ADHD was intense, and not likely to get better with another year of preK.
Also learned his other scores were in the 95th-99th percentile.

It took 2 years to push for gifted support in APS.
The ultimately said he could go to the library for half an hour a week to do independant research on topics he liked.
Later they had the gifted teacher's sub (not a certfied gifted teacher, and not a certified teacher) play games with him.

I suggest you push for it with your own data, (and see how their testing works) because if the program in place has a group, that is a greater benefit than being alone.

Also check out the Center for Talented Youth at Hopkins, which has an office in Falls Church.
They have structured activities and lots of enrichment.

You will probably have to do this on your own, although APS has hired more staff since we left the system.

Also, remember that your 2E is child is still a child, even if he talks like an encyclopedia.
The social/emotional needs of 2E kids can be intense because people confuse "doing hard math" with "remembering where your shoe is" and those are 2 different skill sets.
It can make kids feel really badly when they struggle to attend, but have a high IQ. They get shamed a lot (per my kid, who is now in HS).

[Anonymous]

I am a parent of a second grader, new to APS.

Suppose a kid is identified as part of the pool and then selected for gifted services.

What will those be in 3rd grade and beyond?

Do they get re-tested or otherwise reassessed during subsequent years?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a parent of a second grader, new to APS.

Suppose a kid is identified as part of the pool and then selected for gifted services.

What will those be in 3rd grade and beyond?

Do they get re-tested or otherwise reassessed during subsequent years?

Once a kid is identified as gifted s/he receives services through 12th grade. The Cogat is administered in 4th grade and can identify additional kids. Services can be added over time but not taken away unless parents request that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t worry about it as gifted programming in Arlington isn’t particularly... exceptional. He will either be identified or not, but it won’t really affect his education one way or another (although maybe your ego might be temporarily buoyed.)

This.

Also, some schools identify a full 30% which is statistically not possible. It's not hard to get identified, you don't have to push for anything b/c there is nothing to get. Maybe an extra math worksheet; maybe a game every now and then. And a tweet; probably a tweet.

[Anonymous]

PP here: I am talking about elementary...not above that.