Reply to Can anyone explain the GT programs at elementary schools

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[quote=Anonymous]First of all, it varies by location.  I can only answer for Fairfax County.  In Fairfax, there is a documented process.  It is not that complicated.  Basically, in the first and second grade the county gives a couple of tests:  the NNAT and CogAT.  The county uses these as proxy for IQ tests, but they are not really.

If the child scores above a threshold (currently 130) in any subgroup of the test,the are in the AAP evaluation pool.  In addition, any FCPS parent can refer their child for AAP evaluation.  So, in reality, the pool means very little.
There are multiple criteria that are used:  test scores, school evaluation of gifted behavior (call GBRS), parental evaluation (you evaluate your kid), recommendations, references, and work samples.

In reality, probably the quantitative measures matter the most:  test scores and GBRS (scale of 4-16...and it is somewhat subjective).

Now, here is where it get complicated.  If you are not happy with your kids test scores, there are a series of tests that can be privately done.  Most common is the WISC.

So, you apply, and hear usually around May 1.  If you are not happy with the outcome, you can appeal by supplying new information.  Typically, this is when people submit the WISC, but you can submit anything.

The reality is a WISC seems to be viewed as more reliable than any other measure, so a WISC of 130 will probably get the kid in regardless of the GBRS or other work.

Once in, you can chose to go to an AAP center.  There are multiple centers in Fairfax County, and I expect there is no place more than 20 min from a center.  In addition, some schools have local level IV, which in theory, give the same curricula as the centers.

There are advantages and disadvantages for the centers.  The primary advantage is there will be multiple classes of smart kids as a peer group.  (some will be genius, most will be very smart, but not genius).

About 15% of the third grade students are in AAP.

For me, my DD is in 4th grade AAP at a center which is also our base school.  She scored about 120 on the standardized tests, but got in anyway.[/quote]

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