Anonymous
Post 03/11/2012 08:34     Subject: Preperation for GT testing for 1st grader
Anonymous wrote:I believe the prep classes don't really improve your score, but give you confidence taking tests, so that you don't have a "bad test day".

The other thing they do is general academic sharpening (math, reading). Not sure if it will help on the test, but it exercises the mind with useful things.

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That's how it was for us. DD told me that the practice test helped because she knew what to expect. During the practice, she learned to double check her answers and not to rush through. She did say that test itself was way easier than what we practiced, and that also boosted her confidence. She knew she knew the stuff, now all she had to do is answer it without rushing it, and to think through her answer before answering.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2012 07:47     Subject: Re:Preperation for GT testing for 1st grader
Anonymous wrote:Isn't it fascinating, millions of students are prepping daily for their tests and exams in school; but somehow, some think it inappropriate, and a waste of time, to do so for a test outside of school (e.g., AAP, GoCAT, ERB, SSAT, SAT)? Students are much smarter than us. They watch their scores improve when they prep for their tests at school (honor roll) and they watch their scores improve when they prep for the tests outside of school. This is a no brainer for most students.



You have this exactly backwards. I've found that many of the people who pressure their kids to take these outside tests object to the teach-the-test culture inside the school walls.

The sad thing is how much this says about U.S. education today. I don't think most people who take this route truly believe their children are "gifted" but rather sense an opportunity to get them into a more robust educational environment that should be the norm in our schools (i.e., teach critical thinking, experiential-based education, interdisciplinary problem-solving).

That is UNTIL people start squawking at the hint that these "elite" programs might be made available to the mainstream. That's where this starts to get offensive.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2012 00:22     Subject: Re:Preperation for GT testing for 1st grader
Thanks for making the point few fail to see. The term "prep" drives these posters crazy. Let's call the academic/enrichment/courses exposure after school or on break something else. How about play, stimulation, challenge, games for gifted? This may be more tolerable and posters will grasp the fundamental benefit of continuous learning without 2 to 3 month breaks. No swimmers amongst this group just coffee chuggers. One can't expect them to understand the ABCs of basic physiology.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2012 00:02     Subject: Preperation for GT testing for 1st grader
Summer enrichment need not be about 'prepping' or catching up to peers. It could also be to keep in touch with academics during the long break. The program can be ahead or on par with grade level depending on individual student circumstance. There is well established research that continuing academics during the long break in some form or fashion in 'every' grade will help the child keep up or excel in the subsequent year. This has nothing to do with AAP. Also, different kids learn differently.

To pass judgement on those that 'prep' and gloat presuming one's kids are 'inherently gifted' is stupid, everyone's worldview is different - there is no absolute right or wrong.

One needs to do what one feels is necessary to help one's child ("gifted" or not).
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2012 20:27     Subject: Re:Preperation for GT testing for 1st grader
Isn't it fascinating, millions of students are prepping daily for their tests and exams in school; but somehow, some think it inappropriate, and a waste of time, to do so for a test outside of school (e.g., AAP, GoCAT, ERB, SSAT, SAT)? Students are much smarter than us. They watch their scores improve when they prep for their tests at school (honor roll) and they watch their scores improve when they prep for the tests outside of school. This is a no brainer for most students.
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2012 20:03     Subject: Re:Preperation for GT testing for 1st grader
Today's students are not evaluated or graded in school using tests and quizes for the subjects studied. This practise was abolished 50 years ago.
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2012 20:00     Subject: Re:Preperation for GT testing for 1st grader
Broad-based enrichment is not the issue. The issue is the places that specifically try to prep kids for the specific problems on the test. That happens.

Learning the specific problems on the test will not help anything other than taking the test.


SAT/ACT prep is broad based enrichment...or not according to your definition?

Learning specific problems on the test will not help anything other than taking the test. Interesting, tell this to the million of students taking millions of tests in their private and public high schools and colleges ---- "preparing for their semester tests does not help anything." That's what students do every semester ... prepare for tests administered by their teachers. Not so?

The SAT, ACT, WPSSI, ERB etc is just another test (not administered by the school teacher).

Anonymous
Post 03/10/2012 19:51     Subject: Re:Preperation for GT testing for 1st grader

Disregard the intention of the prep-test marketers or what's in the package insert. Is it OK to take a prep course for fun according to individual choice? Are families and children permitted to subscribe to whatever prep service they choose for fun? Note most people will have to take the ACT and /or SAT for college admission at some point in time regardless of whether they took a prep course for fun 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, or 1/4 year before the actual test.
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2012 14:47     Subject: Preperation for GT testing for 1st grader
Broad-based enrichment is not the issue. The issue is the places that specifically try to prep kids for the specific problems on the test. That happens.

Learning the specific problems on the test will not help anything other than taking the test.
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2012 14:09     Subject: Re:Preperation for GT testing for 1st grader
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
What summer enrichment classes are there that will help a kid do better on the CoGAT?


There are many of them. Check the academic-focused camps posted in the Camps forum.


This is so sad to me. If you are taking one of these camps your child doesn't belong in aap. How selfish of you to waste their fun summer days with study. Why can't you people be happy and proud of the children you have


How selfish of you to allow your kid fall behind their peers academically.


I don't get this. If you think that your child needs a summer course to keep up with their peers academically, then that child does not belong in AAP. I think that point is valid. My DC don't take any summer courses and are the top students in their class every year.


AGREE



If your child is behind academically (or that's a parents' perception) to peers what is wrong with tutoring and placing them in enrichment activities? Isn't this what a parent does? Does it really matter what the enrichment activity is (AAP prep, SAT prep, AP prep, reading or math club, great books reading, WPSSI prep)?

If your child is sick (and others are not) is it ok to treat?

If your child is not adept at athletics is it wrong for parents to work on these skills with their child in order to improve performance?


Anonymous
Post 03/07/2012 12:02     Subject: Re:Preperation for GT testing for 1st grader
I don't get this. If you think that your child needs a summer course to keep up with their peers academically, then that child does not belong in AAP. I think that point is valid. My DC don't take any summer courses and are the top students in their class every year.


AGREE

Why? Scores aren't improved by this. Are you showing your envy or insecurity?
Anonymous
Post 03/07/2012 12:00     Subject: Re:Preperation for GT testing for 1st grader
People are over stating the usefulness of these preparation courses. I have friends who sent their kids to multiple prep courses but some kids still didn't make into the pool. If the kids can score 130 in the COGAT without preparation, then a prep course could help make the scores to 132 or slightly above. For kids who score less than 120 without prep, I doubt that the course could increase the scores to above 132.


So what? I have multiple academic experiences. This doesn't need to fullfill some designated score.
Anonymous
Post 03/06/2012 15:00     Subject: Re:Preperation for GT testing for 1st grader
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What summer enrichment classes are there that will help a kid do better on the CoGAT?


There are many of them. Check the academic-focused camps posted in the Camps forum.


This is so sad to me. If you are taking one of these camps your child doesn't belong in aap. How selfish of you to waste their fun summer days with study. Why can't you people be happy and proud of the children you have


How selfish of you to allow your kid fall behind their peers academically.


I don't get this. If you think that your child needs a summer course to keep up with their peers academically, then that child does not belong in AAP. I think that point is valid. My DC don't take any summer courses and are the top students in their class every year.


AGREE
Anonymous
Post 03/06/2012 13:57     Subject: Preperation for GT testing for 1st grader
I believe the prep classes don't really improve your score, but give you confidence taking tests, so that you don't have a "bad test day".

The other thing they do is general academic sharpening (math, reading). Not sure if it will help on the test, but it exercises the mind with useful things.

Anonymous
Post 03/06/2012 13:06     Subject: Re:Preperation for GT testing for 1st grader
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What summer enrichment classes are there that will help a kid do better on the CoGAT?


There are many of them. Check the academic-focused camps posted in the Camps forum.


People are over stating the usefulness of these preparation courses. I have friends who sent their kids to multiple prep courses but some kids still didn't make into the pool. If the kids can score 130 in the COGAT without preparation, then a prep course could help make the scores to 132 or slightly above. For kids who score less than 120 without prep, I doubt that the course could increase the scores to above 132.