Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This rumor seems implausible - 1200 to 2200, which is nearly double the number of 98th+ percentile scores in only one years' time?? Even with prepping, is it possible to bring that many kids up to the 98th+ percentile? I agree with PPs that this is likely the handiwork of our resident troll. Not surprisingly, the troll has yet to post any facts to substantiate her post.

[list]Look at this!
They used a new form of the CogAT this year. After viewing the sample questions from this form vs. the sample questions available for the old form, the new test looks much easier than the older as it's largely picture based. I wouldn't be surprised if the scores were higher than previous years.

Here are sample questions from the new form...
http://www.riversidepublishing.com/products/cogAT7/content.html

I think the exams were very easy this year. My daughter said the questions were very easy and answers were all in pictures. . One of the question was, which barks and the pictures of the animals were provided. I heard that this is to help ESOL kids. Not sure if that is true. I wouldn't be surprised if the number of kids increased because of the easy tests. We haven't received our scores either.

My dd scored a 145 on NNAT. I can't imagine that score not being included in the pool.

If your kid is in the pool you don't need to submit anything else if you don't want to. You can still appeal if they are not found eligible.

Anonymous wrote:I know my dd is in the pool based on her NNAT score, but I might approach preparing her file differently if I knew her cogat score. Do AARTs answer questions about what is appropriate to include in a file?

My dd scored high on NNat but if we don't know the pool scores and don't have the COgat yet this year, how confident can one be that they will be in the pool?

Also, if they are in the pool, do parents have to do anything? If they are in the pool but don't get in, are you prevented from appealing if you haven't sent in anything?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone give me an idea what the parents referral packet includes? From FCPS info.on web, it seems that parent can submit up to 4 work samples and there is a referral form that parents can submit. Are these part of the parent referral packet? Anything else needed?

"Anything else" might include other testing, which does not count towards the not-to-exceed-5-pages portion of the parent referral. The not-to-exceed-5-pages portion can include anything, so it could include 2 pages of work samples, 2 recommendations, and a letter from you (as an example).

Check this -- last year parents could submit up to five pages of work samples PLUS five pages of letters, awards, or commendations (can include a parent letter as one of these five). You can reduce work samples to fit two or more on one page. Our AART advised us to use our child's best written work product, no math sheets, and no more than one page of artwork. They want to see writing. If you submit four pages of work samples, the school will supply the fifth. If you supply five, that bumps out whatever work sample the school would have provided (the school includes no work sample).

Anonymous wrote:I doubt all this 'filler' really matters. The committee screens so many kids, they look at the test scores, the GBRS and report card. I doubt artwork, writings or an '0' on a math test make any difference.

I agree.

I included 2 drawings DC did and 1 recommendation from private K teacher. And I filled out the parent questionaire. I doubt all this 'filler' really matters. The committee screens so many kids, they look at the test scores, the GBRS and report card. I doubt artwork, writings or an '0' on a math test make any difference.

Anonymous wrote:No worries. It takes a troll to know a troll.

[list]You are a true wierdo!

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone give me an idea what the parents referral packet includes? From FCPS info.on web, it seems that parent can submit up to 4 work samples and there is a referral form that parents can submit. Are these part of the parent referral packet? Anything else needed?

"Anything else" might include other testing, which does not count towards the not-to-exceed-5-pages portion of the parent referral. The not-to-exceed-5-pages portion can include anything, so it could include 2 pages of work samples, 2 recommendations, and a letter from you (as an example).

Can anyone give me an idea what the parents referral packet includes? From FCPS info.on web, it seems that parent can submit up to 4 work samples and there is a referral form that parents can submit. Are these part of the parent referral packet? Anything else needed?

Anonymous wrote:I know my dd is in the pool based on her NNAT score, but I might approach preparing her file differently if I knew her cogat score. Do AARTs answer questions about what is appropriate to include in a file?

Yes

I know my dd is in the pool based on her NNAT score, but I might approach preparing her file differently if I knew her cogat score. Do AARTs answer questions about what is appropriate to include in a file?

Our AART is advising us to prepare a parent referral package now in advance of Feb. 3 deadline . . . CogAT scores are delayed this year.

nope

I wish they'd send out the scores already...whether the pool score has already been decided or not.

Has anyone got the letter or scores yet?

PP: Thank you. Attributed information is much more credible.

My guess is the county will continue to use the testing for inpool, but GBRS might become the primary means of admittance.