Gifted and Talented Testing

The teachers have recommended that both boys be tested - which will happen tomorrow. Our boys are in separate classrooms, but have the same team of teachers. They switch teachers after lunch everyday. So I'm feeling pretty positive about this testing since both teachers are in agreement.

However, I just completed the parental assessment of their skills & interests. I felt like the questions were heavily weighted towards kids who are big talkers. Jacob never shuts up, so those questions were easy to answer for him. But Aaron is more likely to watch and observe than to talk. He does ask pointed questions and digs into things to understand them, but he seems to choose carefully when he wants to ask us for info versus try to figure it out for himself. Also, the assessment seemed weighted towards a large vocab. Both boys were late talkers and have gone through speech therapy for expressive delays. Aaron has at times also had a receptive delay. But they've been immersed in English and Spanish since birth, which likely has something to do with their language delays. While their English is stronger, they're at grade level in Spanish. In English, they've progressed on to chapter books.

I'm just annoyed that, at least from the standpoint of the parental assessment, introverted kids are at a disadvantage. I get that advanced language skills are an indication of high intelligence, but a kid who simply doesn't like to talk isn't necessarily any less gifted. End rant.

Fingers crossed that both pass or both fail. We have enough going on in our lives without adding yet another separation to it.

 

Good Luck to your boys! I hope they both get accepted.


I forgot what state you are in- but I can share my experiences (my DDs are not in K yet) in G & T.


In 2nd grade I was tested per teacher request. It was based on grades, standardized testing, & a parent/teacher information sheet. I did not get accepted due to my introverted nature. They did not feel I had enough leadership skills and was too 'dreamy' even though academically (grades) and standardized testing percentile-wise I qualified. IQ tests were not given.So essentially, it was the Q & A from my parents and teachers that disqualified me based on my soft-spoken quiet personality.

In 4th grade we moved states. Once again the teacher submitted me for the G & T program. This time I was given an IQ test to qualify. This time I was accepted easily ( as was my brother). It was a fantastic program that encouraged creativity, problem solving, and independent study. I continued in G & T classes for the rest of K-12 in some form or another (we lived in a few different states---all other states G & T programs were IQ based- except High School and then I took classes by choice, heavy on the English/Literature).



I am not a leader, but am and always have been very independent and self-motivated. I tend to be an introverted person that does their own thing, heck with the crowd. I read a lot and still maintain my curiosity about life in general. No harm done in not being in G & T the first few years.



My twins are total opposites personality-wise and both have a history of delays (one more so than the other) and had OT/PT therapies. But academically they are fairly equals. My 'quieter' twin actually has stronger language skills-- but speaks much less than her sister and plays by herself a lot (not a leader or follower- but an independent introverted little person). It will be interesting to see how it plays out as they start school.

 

Good luck! Let us know how they make out!

 

Well, I have nothing to report. They did the first phase of testing last week. I don't know when the 2nd and 3rd phases will be done. But with budget cuts, who knows whether G&T or their immersion program will even continue next year.

 

There is a topic on this in the Den. First off I personally hate the term G&T just because I personally think that each and every child is G&T in their own right. Our school calls the program High Ability just due to them being given a higher level of work to do.

The teachers last year recommended the girls be tested and we said OK (you could opt to have them not be). We did not fill anything out after that. They basically went on all test grades and I am honestly not sure what else happened but they both got in. It is a very difficult program that I personally as a parent was not prepared for. The girls also get stressed out. I am not sure if they will make it in next year or not (I will be interested to see).

Zoe is very quiet in school and Allison talks all the time. So they did not go on the social aspect.

 

Well, Aaron tested in - and he was the one I was worried would be graded down for being an introvert. Jacob was on the cusp for approval, so they are allowing him to participate for the time being. He has to retest in a few months to formally qualify. I don't know whether the program took pity on him as the twin left behind or whether the school has a policy to let high achievers participate.

It's only their first week, so I don't have any review of the program yet. I hope they enjoy it.

 

This same thing happened with A&Z. Zoe passed with flying colors and no questions asked. When they told us Allison was testing in we were surprised. She was borderline but they let her do it. They are both doing wonderful.