Anonymous wrote:Apparently the success rate on appeals is very high. Can anyone that as many as 50% of the kids in the GT centers got in on appeal?

meant to say can anyone confirm that as many as 50% of the kids in the GT centers got in on appeal?
Does this board have an edit function?

Anonymous wrote:Apparently the success rate on appeals is very high. Can anyone that as many as 50% of the kids in the GT centers got in on appeal?

Not even close. In 2004-2005, 2335 children were accepted into the GT Center. 152 of those were accepted after appealing an initial denial of those services. More recent data are not available.

http://www.boarddocs.com/vsba/Fairfax/Board.nsf/39c6389c088be51585256e56000c1bf2/2b1b2b585a5d305e852570fb004f3f9f/$FILE/Gifted%20and%20Talented%20Center%20Program.pdf

If you are asking if appeals are frequently successful, then the answer would be yes. 59% of those who appealed in 2004-05 were eventually declared eligible. Most of those submitted additional test scores.

Apparently the success rate on appeals is very high. Can anyone that as many as 50% of the kids in the GT centers got in on appeal?

to 23:35 - did your child get in? i ask b/c my ds did not with similar scores and i wanted to know if i i should have done something differently.

PP who can't be heartfelt here. Well, the letter is done. I hope it's ok. I was just pretty blunt that she has strengths and weaknesses but she needs the AAP for her strengths and her weaknesses aren't as weak as the group test indicated (as supported by the WISC).

I did the best I could. I'm not optimistic, but there's always next year, right?

The AART told me to have a sense of humor in the letter. I found that difficult. I'm sure they get bored reading these, but I don't find this at all funny.

Pp, I am not the most emotional person ( guy and scientist), and my dd was accepted, but I would imagine what needs to be done is to make it easy to accept your dc...give examples of where your dc capabilities surprised you. For example, my dd and I regularly talk about the science in the world around us, her active reading, etc,

Trying to write the "heartfelt" letter and really having a hard time. Do you think I'll be successful if I say I think the committee f'ed over my child the first time? LOL

I just need to be done with this! I've sent way too much time and mental energy on this and I can't figure out if it really matters. Maybe they have me where they want me: doubting myself, doubting my child and doubting FCPS.

The letter said results of the appeal would be sent in June. I assume it would be any time after the deadline. Probably towards the end of the school year.

The decision of the appeals committee will be mailed to you anyday after June 1.

I just mailed the documents to appeal today. Does anyone know how soon I may hear back the result? The deadline was June 1. I'm wondering if I will hear back before or after?

GBRS = Gifted Behavior Rating Scale

http://www.fcps.edu/DIS/gt/packet/Fillable_AAP%20GBRS%20with%20Commentary.pdf

thanks to the immediately before poster. i erred and should have said my son was gettings mostly Gs and a few Os so maybe he has a chance if he tests well. Could you please tell me what GBRS means? Thank you for your advice.

0516: It really comes down to three items: test scores, GBRS, and report cards/Work Samples. They also consider a parental evaluation, and references.

In Sept and Oct the school will test all of the second graders to define an screening pool. This year, the cutoff scores were 130. If your child is not in the pool, you can still nominate the child.

I do not know the magic numbers to get in...my DD was not in the pool: she scored 115-120 on the NNAT and CogATS. However, her report card is all G & O's. And her teacher (and the AART) both thought that she belonged in the Level IV. (our base school is a GT center, and her 2nd grade teacher was previously a 3rd grade teacher in the GT program).

I invested in the WISC scores, which were comparable to the county scores, so we did not submit them. But, I put together a strong package. And her school gave good advice and guidance. In the end, she got in. Her GBRS was 14.

And we identified an issue with verbal tests: apparently she kept asking for clarification, and on the CogAT and NNAT, they could not give it.

We were prepared to get a full learning evaluation, but I was holding that out for appeal (it was 2K, which is a lot of money to me).

Can someone do me a favor and start at the beginning or post a link re the process for GT admissions- Center and nonCenter based. I want to understand the process. My ds has a less than stellar report card - mostly Ss a few Os. He is currently in first grade. Assuming he tests well, can he still get in? What is the process. what should i be doing to give him the best chances. I have just been ignoring the mid level grades because it didn't seem to matter and he seems to be learning a lot. But now I see the grades could be an issue with getting into GT and I don't want him to miss out if he is otherwise qualified. Thanks in advance for educating me!

Interesting conversation. I am in the midst of the appeal paperwork myself. I am not submitting WISC scores. The cost would have been very difficult for us. After speaking with our AART (formerly on the committee), a school counselor at a GT center (friend of a friend), and an Educational Psychologist who could have gladly done the WISC, they all agreed that my son's test scores (I cannot remember all, but I do remember the 148 on the verbal section of the CogAT) already more than met the criteria.

What they suggested was that I submit a letter (as in a PP, the word heartfelt was mentioned...hmmm). I wrote said letter, had it edited by one of my sisters who is an editor, and my other sister who is a graduate prof. of education at a large university. I felt my original letter came across as too emotional, the opinion of two others helped draw attention back to my son and his strengths.

I also am submitting 3 additional letters. One from a lego league coach, a family friend/baseball coach, and another family friend.

Lastly, I am submitting additional work samples (some from home, some from school). His teacher submitted what I would call the poorest example of his work, but gladly gave me some beautiful writing samples when I asked if she had anything I could use for the appeal. I am also submitting a drawing, and the text of a musical composition as well as a description of the melody/harmony (I am a musician myself). GBRS was less than stellar, but was written at a time when we were working through some behavior issues (distraction, silliness, etc...had too much free time on his hands)

His GBRS (9) and pitiful school submitted work sample were what kept him out in my opinion. Grades all O's and G's, test scores met criteria, work samples I submitted were very good, as were the originial letters.

We do have Level IV local at our school. Our principal outlined his process which involoved a database of all 2nd graders, test scores, GBRS, DRA, grades...I cannot remember all, so even if our appeal is denied he may end up in that class.

I think how many are placed in LLIV who did not qualify really depends on the school. I was told at our school there were only 6 spaces for non Level IV placed in the class last year.

We shall see.