Frequently Asked Questions What is a gifted program?
Gifted Programs are designed to provide a more challenging educational curriculum for exceptionally bright and determined students. These students meet very specific criteria for placement in such a highly regarded and competitive program. These programs focus on expanding the traditional curriculum, rather than teaching at grade level. Critical thinking skills, abstract reasoning skills and specific concentration on are emphasized in the Gifted classroom. Programs vary from school to school and teacher to teacher and in some instances select schools are designated as gifted centers. A parent in most cases has input on the choices of which type of program best suits their child’s level. Gifted programs fall under the Exceptional Student Education format and each student who is eligible receives an Educational Plan (EP), specifically designed for that student.
Who qualifies for placement in a Gifted Program?
A student who meets or exceeds established standards for eligibility will be considered for placement in a gifted program. The final decision for placement rests with a school-based committee who reviews all test data and anecdotal information available regarding the child. Currently the standards include a Full Scale IQ Score of 130 or above, Academic Achievement scores in Math and/or Reading at the 90%ile or above. The child must demonstrate gifted qualities based on a teacher- completed gifted checklist. In certain instances where minority students or where English is not the primary language spoken in the home, a special “matrix” may be utilized, adjusting different weight to the various gifted criteria.
How do I know if my child is “gifted”?
All children have a profile of relative strengths and weaknesses. Many intellectually gifted youngsters show an early interest in learning, they tend to grasp new concepts easily and show a curiosity about a variety of topics. In many instances such youngsters are easily bored if not sufficiently stimulated by their environment. Early interest in Reading or Math is not necessarily an indicator of a gifted child, nor are straight A’s in school. The classroom teacher or pre-school teacher is often a good judge of a child’s “giftedness” as they have the opportunity to observe a child over time in relation to other students they have worked with. Some teachers have a built-in bias against the concept of giftedness as it has been overused.
What tests are used when assessing a child for the gifted program?
The most common test used is the IQ tests for children over the age of six is the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children Fourth Edition (WISC IV), the Stanford Binet Fifth Edition (SB5), and the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (KABC). For children under the age of six, the Wechsler Pre-School and Primary Scales of Intelligence Third Edition (WPPSI III), Stanford Binet Fifth Edition (SB5) and Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (KABC), are the most widely used. Academic Achievement measures typically include the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test Second Edition (WIAT 2), Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement Third Edition (WJR III) or Kaufman Tests of Academic Achievement (K-TEA). While other tests may be used it is important to check with the ESE Coordinator at your school to make sure that the proposed tests are approved by the school.
Who can administer these tests?
These tests should only be administered by a qualified professional with appropriate training who is licensed and certified. Professionals sanctioned to provide such assessments include certified and/or licensed School Psychologists and Licensed Psychologists. School Psychologists employed by the school system typically possess a Masters degree, Specialist or Doctorate in School Psychology and are certified by the State qualifying them as having the necessary training and experience to perform these tests. Independent Psychologists and School Psychologists must be licensed in their respective fields by the State to be able to perform these tests.
Where can Gifted testing be performed?
Gifted testing can be administered by a school psychologist at your child’s school, or by an independent psychologist or school psychologist in a private office. If your child attends a private school or is home schooled, they are still eligible to be evaluated at the local school your child would attend if enrolled. Testing completed by the public school system is performed free of charge. It is important to be aware that while there is no charge for testing performed at the school, there is frequently a very long waiting list and it may take several months before testing is initiated. Due to the number of students on the long waiting list a school psychologist frequently conducts an initial gifted screening. The full assessment of mainly select students who perform sufficiently well on this screening will be afforded the test. In many cases there is no advanced notification prior to calling your child in for testing. While gifted programs begin in Kindergarten, a public school will not administer gifted testing until a child is enrolled in grade school.
At what age should I consider testing my child for the gifted program?
In a majority of cases it is not recommend testing a child for the gifted program younger than 4 years and 6 months of age unless the child appears to be exceptional. For an incoming Kindergarten student, the school system generally does not review the test results until you register your child in the first grade. Testing can be done at any age through high school. If a student’s gifted placement is being considered such reasons as a change from private to public school, recent relocation to a new area, or underachievement due to boredom and superior intellect is suspected.
Why would a parent choose to have their child tested privately?
As noted above, testing for children who have not yet entered kindergarten must be completed privately if you want your child to be eligible to be placed immediately in a gifted program upon entrance to kindergarten. Private testing allows a parent the opportunity to interview the psychologist/school psychologist prior to selection or order to determine confidence and comfort level with credentials, experience and demeanor. Selection of an independent psychologist/school psychologist allows for a greater latitude in discussing particular strengths, weaknesses in a child’s personality in order to determine the most appropriate tests for your child. If a child has been previously tested by a school psychologist and not recommended for gifted placement, the school system may wish to wait as long as two years before allowing a child to be eligible for retesting. Testing may be completed sooner if done privately. Private testing is preferred if your child has any special needs, in particular shy or withdrawn, active or inattentive, or if any issues or special needs are to be addressed.
What can I do to prepare my child for testing?
Make sure that your child gets a good night’s sleep prior to testing and has a nutritious breakfast in the morning. Do not to try to “coach” your child. These are not tests you can, or should, prepare for, as they are meant to measure innate ability. Do not overemphasize the importance of this test or act in a way so as to add to any test anxiety. Do not speak in terms of passing or failing the test (which is impossible), but rather in terms of doing one’s best in order to help with the best placement for next year. For young children I recommend talking to the child about show off to a new friend everything that you know, so that we can show your future kindergarten teacher how smart you are.