thankyou

Hate to break it to everyone waiting for 2nd grade Cogat scores, but last year, they were released less than a week before the AAP packet was due. Our AART told parents with kids who could potentially qualify prepare parent referral paperwork, b/c there would not be time after scores were released to do the paperwork and get it in on time. Also, both First round decisions and appeal decisions were released a week or two after the date in the AAP materials. When it comes to AAP selection, FCPS tells you what's going on at the last possible moment. Also, scores, eligibility, letters, etc. always seem to arrive Fri. Or Sat.-- I think they want parents to take a breather before calling to complain.

PP is right about several things: that the cut off scores for AAP won't be announced until Spring 2014, and that the scores are based on actual age (birth month/ year) not grade. So a 1st grade with a Sept. birthday who gets the same number right as the kid with a May birthday will get a higher scaled score.

For the past several years, you have had to meet NNAT cut off (which has been 130) OR (not and) the Cogat cutoff to get in pool-- although they are supposed to look at all info in making a decision. Cogat cut off used to be 130 on the composite or any subtest, but last year so many kids qualified, they changed it to 132 composite, no subtests accepted.

Having put 2 kids in AAP in the last three years, I can give you a couple strategies. The first is to have a private psychologist or George Mason do a WISC. Apparently these are true IQ tests and considered more reliable than the NNAT or Cogat, but FCPS can't afford to administer, b/c they are done one on one. I think you can get a WISC done every year, so if you get one done in first grade, you can "bank" the score and submit it with AAP parent referral. If the score is lower, your DC should be able to retest the next year-- although the scores should be pretty much the same from year to year. (Also, check with the psychologist about how often DC can take the test). The benefit is that if the score is weak, you don't have to turn it in, and if it is strong, you can use it as a basis for a parent referral/appeal. Last year DD just missed NNAT &Cogat cut offs for the pool (like 1-3 points) I parent referred w/ a WISC of 130 (98%) and she was accepted.

The second thing you can do (and probably the most helpful) is to do everything in your power to keep your child reading. It doesn't have to be War & Peace-- start with nonfiction about any subject that interests them or fiction about things they like (e.g. faries &dinosaurs). I got my two started with "mommy book club". I picked a book I thought they would enjoy on their reading level, had then had them read it and read the book myself, and then took them out for a treat like frozen yogurt and discussed the book with them. It went over really well.

"Both the Cogat & WISC have significant verbal sections that are heavily weighted. A strong reader with good reading comp. should get quite a score boost.

Anonymous wrote:will the both nnat and cogat marks taken in average to select the students in gt for that year

No. The NNAT2 results and the Fairfax Abilities Test results will be used to first include or exclude students for the pool to be considered for AAP-center eligibility. Parents (or students themselves) can also refer a student, so that student will be screened just as students in the pool are screened. Test scores alone are not the only factor to determine AAP-Center eligibility.

Read the FAQ on the FCPS website:

http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/faqs/idfaqs.shtml

Anonymous wrote:CAN I HAVE THE SAME REPORT FOR Cogat

http://www.riversidepublishing.com/products/group/cogat6/input.jsp

will the both nnat and cogat marks taken in average to select the students in gt for that year

CAN I HAVE THE SAME REPORT FOR Cogat

I GOT IT THANK U

Anonymous wrote:my son got 16/48 raw score
scaled score: 525
NAI: 85
PR-S:17-3
NCE:29.9
WHAT IS THIS MEAN

Here is a sample NNAT2 report:

http://education.pearsonassessments.com/hai/images/products/nnat2/studentreport.pdf

my son got 16/48 raw score
scaled score: 525
NAI: 85
PR-S:17-3
NCE:29.9
WHAT IS THIS MEAN

Anonymous wrote:FCPS is very transparent re: the testing for all students. The information is posted on the website.

Here is the link to the Office of Student Testing:

http://www.fcps.edu/pla/ost/

FCPS is very transparent re: the testing for all students. The information is posted on the website.

What is wrong with wanting to know which test our kids are going to take? I don't understand the reaction... The kids who are prepped know everything about CogAT already because they attend courses offered by people who have all this information. So, what's the point in saying to the rest of us "you don't need to know"? I don't get it...

But many parent did know which Cogat their kids were going to take, did they not? Also, according to the threads here, this year's Cogat was easier - don't know how much truth there is to that.

Anonymous wrote:Hope FCPS AAP officials read these web sites. Why don't they just use different tests in different years and not let us know which test it is going to be. Just give parents a heads a day or two before so that the kids get a good night sleep and eat a decent but not too big breakfast? Also, all schools should have the test on the same day. Kids and and parents do discuss answers. (One correct/incorrect answer made the difference between a 140 and a 150 on last year's Cogat.)

Why do you think the CogAT form was changed? And then even with that, parents still tried calling schools to find out what form was being given. Gee, can't imagine why they need that information ahead of time. Right. As for testing all on the same day, there is a reason the state requires all SOL short paper Writing tests to be done on the same day throughout the state. Good night sleep, eat a good breakfast - the very best advice I've seen here.