Anonymous
Post 04/15/2023 20:36     Subject: Re:Is it worth it to appeal?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I appealed successfully for my DD. The only thing I included for the appeal was the WISC score. I didn't go to GMU but found a local psychologist that offered testing. I was careful to pick someone that looked non-scary, pleasant and attractive. I know this sounds weird, but a private school mom offered me that piece of advice. She had her kids take the WISC multiple times (for private school, not AAP) and said they did better when the person giving the test was attractive. You are leaving a young kid alone with someone in a room and if they look scary or stern, the kid might not focus.

My DD's NNAT was 114. I think it's worth the $400.


We did the same thing. Once the kid got the hang of the WISC their scores were also through the roof. I think it only took 4 tries.


Does the quest for an attractive person stop with the psychologist or even extends to the school and classrooms. Oh my - ny kids did not do well in private school because the teachers weren't models or actors.
Anonymous
Post 04/15/2023 17:31     Subject: Re:Is it worth it to appeal?
Anonymous wrote:I appealed successfully for my DD. The only thing I included for the appeal was the WISC score. I didn't go to GMU but found a local psychologist that offered testing. I was careful to pick someone that looked non-scary, pleasant and attractive. I know this sounds weird, but a private school mom offered me that piece of advice. She had her kids take the WISC multiple times (for private school, not AAP) and said they did better when the person giving the test was attractive. You are leaving a young kid alone with someone in a room and if they look scary or stern, the kid might not focus.

My DD's NNAT was 114. I think it's worth the $400.


We did the same thing. Once the kid got the hang of the WISC their scores were also through the roof. I think it only took 4 tries.
Anonymous
Post 04/15/2023 15:45     Subject: Re:Is it worth it to appeal?
Anonymous wrote:I appealed successfully for my DD. The only thing I included for the appeal was the WISC score. I didn't go to GMU but found a local psychologist that offered testing. I was careful to pick someone that looked non-scary, pleasant and attractive. I know this sounds weird, but a private school mom offered me that piece of advice. She had her kids take the WISC multiple times (for private school, not AAP) and said they did better when the person giving the test was attractive. You are leaving a young kid alone with someone in a room and if they look scary or stern, the kid might not focus.

My DD's NNAT was 114. I think it's worth the $400.


could you let me know which psycologist you went?
Anonymous
Post 04/14/2023 05:48     Subject: Re:Is it worth it to appeal?
Anonymous wrote:Nnat and Cogatare very different tests. Your child’s Cogat was in pool I assume. You should appeal. County isvery afraid of being sued which would show how subjective selection is. Former Aart here…..


Not OP, but Chantilly Pyramid in Pool was >136 NNAT/COGAT per my experience
Anonymous
Post 04/13/2023 18:45     Subject: Is it worth it to appeal?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks everyone! Is the WISC necessary? Single mom here and the 400 bucks to test won't break me, but I'll have to cut back on savings this month.


The NNAT score is out of whack with AAP. A good WISC might counteract that. I'd also read the verbiage with the GBRS and make sure it is as supportive as it can be (since 3CO, 1FO should have great comments and examples).


Nonsense. The NNAT is often much lower than Cogat. That is the much easier test to prep BTW. I have never seen any evidence that the NNAt is weighted at all eitgher way.
Anonymous
Post 04/13/2023 16:30     Subject: Re:Is it worth it to appeal?
I appealed successfully for my DD. The only thing I included for the appeal was the WISC score. I didn't go to GMU but found a local psychologist that offered testing. I was careful to pick someone that looked non-scary, pleasant and attractive. I know this sounds weird, but a private school mom offered me that piece of advice. She had her kids take the WISC multiple times (for private school, not AAP) and said they did better when the person giving the test was attractive. You are leaving a young kid alone with someone in a room and if they look scary or stern, the kid might not focus.

My DD's NNAT was 114. I think it's worth the $400.
Anonymous
Post 04/13/2023 16:11     Subject: Re:Is it worth it to appeal?
Nnat and Cogatare very different tests. Your child’s Cogat was in pool I assume. You should appeal. County isvery afraid of being sued which would show how subjective selection is. Former Aart here…..
Anonymous
Post 04/13/2023 16:08     Subject: Is it worth it to appeal?
Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks everyone! Is the WISC necessary? Single mom here and the 400 bucks to test won't break me, but I'll have to cut back on savings this month.


The NNAT score is out of whack with AAP. A good WISC might counteract that. I'd also read the verbiage with the GBRS and make sure it is as supportive as it can be (since 3CO, 1FO should have great comments and examples).
Anonymous
Post 04/13/2023 13:06     Subject: Is it worth it to appeal?
Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks everyone! Is the WISC necessary? Single mom here and the 400 bucks to test won't break me, but I'll have to cut back on savings this month.


Do you qualify for any financial assistance? The WISC is subsidized if so.

The WISC is not necessary, but if over 130 will help show the need for AAP.

I would not do it if it was a financial hardship. Just request a new cogat (one time free retake) next year and reapply if the appeal is denied.
Anonymous
Post 04/13/2023 12:48     Subject: Is it worth it to appeal?
OP here - thanks everyone! Is the WISC necessary? Single mom here and the 400 bucks to test won't break me, but I'll have to cut back on savings this month.
Anonymous
Post 04/13/2023 10:27     Subject: Is it worth it to appeal?
Anonymous wrote:Appeal. You may want to get a wisc from gmu.


Exactly!
Anonymous
Post 04/13/2023 10:14     Subject: Is it worth it to appeal?
Appeal. You may want to get a wisc from gmu.
Anonymous
Post 04/13/2023 09:20     Subject: Is it worth it to appeal?
Anonymous wrote:GBRS: 3 CO, 1 FO
NNAT: 110
COGAT: 134, 9A, Q score was highest out of the 3

I know the NNAT is really low but 1st grade was a doozy with all the sicknesses and teacher absences, so I feel like that impacted my son's score.

We're in the chantilly pyramid. I didn't know this pyramid was so competitive. I overheard a few moms talking (in their native language) about sending their kids to test prep school. I know about kumon and mathnasium, but these are specific schools that focus on test prepping. I didn't even know that stuff existed at this age!

Kid likes math and science and does really well in school so I feel like AAP would be beneficial. Is it even worth it with such a low NNAT? Should I mention something in the appeal?

Thanks all!


I would say appeal. Why not? Take some time in writing the appeal letter. Demonstrate why your child needs AAP with examples. And yes, the Chantilly pyramid is crazy. Having said that though, depending on which school you are in, getting into AAP vs GenEd might not yield a big difference because parents are involved and there are high achievers in both.
Anonymous
Post 04/13/2023 09:03     Subject: Is it worth it to appeal?
Anonymous wrote:GBRS: 3 CO, 1 FO
NNAT: 110
COGAT: 134, 9A, Q score was highest out of the 3

I know the NNAT is really low but 1st grade was a doozy with all the sicknesses and teacher absences, so I feel like that impacted my son's score.

We're in the chantilly pyramid. I didn't know this pyramid was so competitive. I overheard a few moms talking (in their native language) about sending their kids to test prep school. I know about kumon and mathnasium, but these are specific schools that focus on test prepping. I didn't even know that stuff existed at this age!

Kid likes math and science and does really well in school so I feel like AAP would be beneficial. Is it even worth it with such a low NNAT? Should I mention something in the appeal?

Thanks all!


You should always appeal if you think AAP is in the best interest of your child!

My DC's NNAT was 111, so you aren't out of the range entirely. Also Chantilly pyramid. (And yes, it's nuts.)

Do you have a story to tell about the student's interest in math and science? Focus on what goes on beyond the traditional classroom and how your child would be served by a more rigorous academic environment.
Anonymous
Post 04/13/2023 08:55     Subject: Is it worth it to appeal?
GBRS: 3 CO, 1 FO
NNAT: 110
COGAT: 134, 9A, Q score was highest out of the 3

I know the NNAT is really low but 1st grade was a doozy with all the sicknesses and teacher absences, so I feel like that impacted my son's score.

We're in the chantilly pyramid. I didn't know this pyramid was so competitive. I overheard a few moms talking (in their native language) about sending their kids to test prep school. I know about kumon and mathnasium, but these are specific schools that focus on test prepping. I didn't even know that stuff existed at this age!

Kid likes math and science and does really well in school so I feel like AAP would be beneficial. Is it even worth it with such a low NNAT? Should I mention something in the appeal?

Thanks all!