OT: Elementary Gifted Programs

[ChrisAlli]

Does your elementary school have a gifted program? If yes what do they use to determine eligibility. And is there any type of program for kids who just miss those requirements.

We just had my son's 1st conference for 1st grade and they don't test until January, but at the same time it didn't look like someting was in place for kids who fall just short. From my understanding they use the Cogats and then if they place in the 90th % they are given an IQ test which needs to be 130. I just thought there would be something else for kids just short of this. Besides having the teacher give extra work.

Just curious what other schools do

 

[disneyoverload]

Elementary schools in my town have no gifted programs. The closest to a gifted program we ever get is in 7th grade where the kids are divided into 2 different levels. This eventually splits into 3 levels + AP in high school, but we don't have a gifter program persay.

 

[Starr W.]

I don't think our district starts the Gifted program until 2nd or maybe 3rd grade. I know my 1st grader is on the "watch list". Ours goes by whatever tests and how the kids do in the classroom(if they are challanged enough by the work).

 

[design_mom]

I think our school identifies "gifted students" by the end of second grade and the program starts in third. I do not know how they determine eligibility though.

My son is a 2nd grader (our first conference is tomorrow), and he's doing really well. Last year, the school set up a special reading group and math group with DS and children from other first grade classes that were working above grade level. So far, this year, DS's teacher has been giving him extra stuff to work on.

I have been wondering if they would say anything about the G&T program... but I'm not quite sure how I'll feel about it if they do. I've heard that the G&T program in our school system is quite intense, even at the lower grades. (I was in a G&T program in school and at some point it became "all work and no play" both during school hours and with homework/etc.) Although I want him to work to his potential and be challenged, I'm not sure I "want that" for my child, if you know what I mean.

ETA: I think DS's current 2nd grade teacher and 1st grade teacher did a good job of offering "enrichment." I wanted to clarify that is more than just extra pages of the same stuff, based on another poster's answer. I have been happy with the way the teachers have been challenging him, even though he's not in a formal G&T program (at least, not yet.)

 

[K and K's Mommy]

In our district all kindergartners are tested using the NNAT. If you get 90% or higher, you go to the second stage. The second stage is the SAGES and TONI tests. To be honest, I am not sure the scores you need. There are 10 elementary schools in my district, and there are three classrooms of g/t starting in first grade. My oldest two are in the program, but they do not go to our home school because it does not house one of the g/t classrooms.

The program was a blessing for my oldest who definitely needed it. I wasn't sure my DD would get into the program, but she did. So far, she is doing great.

I taught in the same district, but I am not g/t endorsed so I didn't teach in g/t program. We were told to individualize for all kids. Sometimes easier said than done, but I always tried to have varying reading level materials for what we were studying in science/ social studies. Our reading program was easily adaptable to varying levels. Usually I tried to enrich and not just give more work.

 

[boakl]

In our county schools, they do a four part assessement of kids who have been referred. A child may be referred by a teacher, their parent or themselves.

The four parts are: Cogat Scores (96% or higher), Achievement test scores (90% or higher average on the full-battery), creativity (95% or higher) and motivation (90% or higher-- current teacher fills out a survey). A child must meet 3 of the 4 criteria to be accepted into the system's gifted program.

I liked this system, as it recognizes that some children may not necessarily have an exceptional IQ, but because they are motivated, creative, and hard-working that they would benefit from the gifted curriculum, while at the sam time, a very bright, creative child who may not be exceptionally motivated in a regular classroom may come alive in the gifted class. I have seen both types of students do well as both a teacher and as a parent.

They start identifying and testing children at the end of kindergarten and testing is done 1-2 times per year at each school as children are identified. I would say that 8-10% of the students in each grade level are in gifted classes, this seems about right to me.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

we have gifted and there's nothing for those who just barely missed it.

sad, isn't it?

 

[~audrey~]

In our county schools, they do a four part assessement of kids who have been referred. A child may be referred by a teacher, their parent or themselves.

The four parts are: Cogat Scores (96% or higher), Achievement test scores (90% or higher average on the full-battery), creativity (95% or higher) and motivation (90% or higher-- current teacher fills out a survey). A child must meet 3 of the 4 criteria to be accepted into the system's gifted program.

I liked this system, as it recognizes that some children may not necessarily have an exceptional IQ, but because they are motivated, creative, and hard-working that they would benefit from the gifted curriculum, while at the sam time, a very bright, creative child who may not be exceptionally motivated in a regular classroom may come alive in the gifted class. I have seen both types of students do well as both a teacher and as a parent.

They start identifying and testing children at the end of kindergarten and testing is done 1-2 times per year at each school as children are identified. I would say that 8-10% of the students in each grade level are in gifted classes, this seems about right to me.

This is almost exactly the same as school testing where I live. There really is no program for kids who fall just short, but when kids get to middle school it seems like many more test in to the gifted program and are accepted.

I was in GT when I was in school and loved it. Its not uncommon for kids to test a few times to get in. I tested twice because I fell just short in the math portion.

 

[SLK1]

In Orange County schools (FL), the kids are tested any time after kindergarten with a teacher recommendation. If they pass a pre-test, they are then given an IQ test which has to be higher than 130. The actual gifted pull-out (it's once a week) starts in first grade. Once you're in middle school, you can take gifted language arts, but math is just advanced and anyone can be placed in that. Our schools are just starting to recognize the "those that fall short" and are ability-grouping kids within classes for reading, math, etc.

 

[mjkacmom]

Our school starts in 3rd grade. There is a Saturday morning enrichment program, and it's based on grades, standardized test scores, and teacher recommendation - I'm guessing about 20%. Then there is a pullout program, 2 tiered testing, 1st tier grades, teacher, and above proficient in at least on area on testing, and 2nd tier is 100% IQ score (2 tests). Last year, ds was the only kid in his class put in it - I think it's the top 4%. JH has vector classes, which dd takes.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Our school uses CogATs, but last year they did also use the Iowa basic skills test for kids who they thought would benefit but who didn't achieve the required CogAT scores. They also use teacher input regarding motivation, curiosity, etc, but I think a child still has to achieve a required score on one of the two standardized tests. They have a match team that determines the level of differentiation a child needs based on scores and teacher input.

Identification officially starts in third grade, but kids get pulled out as early as kindergarten for "unofficial" enrichment with the G&T teacher.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Ours are determined by the standardized test given to the students. I was sent a letter regarding the gifted program last year when DS was in 3rd grade.

I refused. I see no need for it at this point. DS gets good grades and is challenged. I see no reason to make things harder for him at this point.

 

[luvmy3jewels]

The elementary schools in our area have gifted programs. We were told last year when dd was in first grade that they usually wait until second grade to test. However they decided to waive that policy and test several students in her class. I can't remember the tests they gave her but there were several (one was an IQ test). One of the tests was for reading and math and dd scored marginally on the math, but her other scores were high enough they still classfied her as academically gifted.

Once a week dd (and her classmates that were identified) are pulled out and work with the AG teacher for about an hour. The AG teacher also works with her classroom teacher on creating assignments to develop their talents.

 

[allyphoe]

They do identification in 1st grade, with pull-out programs starting in 2nd grade, in our district. Parents must consent to their kid being tested; I believe that either parents or teachers may refer a kid for testing.

The state-mandated criterion is "97th percentile on a nationally standardized test of intellectual ability." As far as kids who just barely miss the cutoff, it's allowable to take the standard error of measure into account in determining raw score. So if a raw score of 150 was 97th percentile, and the standard error of measure on that test was plus or minus 5, a child who scored a 145 could be considered to have scored in the 97th percentile. Parents also have the right to appeal.

For anyone wondering what IQ level 97th percentile corresponds to (I was surprised how many states had an IQ score as the cutoff, because that's not how my state does it, so I looked), it's apparently in the 128-130 range.

 

[newddmommie]

I was in the gifted program. The way the program is run in my school district was a teacher would recommend that you take a standarized test and if you passed than an IQ test was taken. The cutoff is 130. There is no program if you don't pass or come close. Here it's either your gifted or not. In highschool, we also had AP classes so there was something for everyone. BTW, my brother wasn't "gifted" and he's a straight A student in engineering school. (I'm also an engineer). So i wouldn't worry if your child isn't technically "gifted", sometimes it's better. We often got made fun of for being in a different class.

 

[scouthawkk]

DS's 1st grade class just did OLSAT (from what I can determine, it is another method of testing IQ, but I'm not entirely certain about that) testing last month. One day of practice, and 2 days of actual testing. A note came home the week before explaining that the test is one of the factors used for entrance to the gifted program, along with teacher and guidance councelor evaluations, I guess. All 1st graders were tested this year, which is new. In the past they did not test prior to 3rd grade. If any of the students are accepted into the program, they will be placed beginning next fall (2nd grade). DS's teacher says he is on the cusp, and very well may make it. I know he is very bored right now, not challenged at all, so we'll see. Results don't come back until sometime in January.

 

[SLK1]

I wanted to add that if you feel your child is "gifted" (honestly I hate that term), you can opt to have him/her privately tested. Someone once said the private scores seem to be "padded" - I guess they feel if you're paying that much money, because it is expensive, they might as well tack on a few IQ points??? Anyway, as a PP stated, just because they're in "gifted", it doesn't mean a whole lot. Many kids are very bright and were never in the program yet graduate at the top of their class!

 

[aprilfoolwed]

I'll let you know tomorrow - my DD's 2nd grade teacher is sending the packet home tomorrow.

I really didn't want to get into labeling - but my DD has 99% and 98% in English and Math and is to-of-the class for both. She's putting out about 25% effort in school and I think she's bored (and starting to say she doesn't like certainly subjects in school - which is a CRIME when they are only 7!!!!).

So I am exploring the gifted program. At the least, I wrote to the teacher about what can be done in the classroom to keep challenging my DD at her level.

 

[Aristomommy]

Our school district identifies kids into gifted in Kindergarten and in 2nd grade. Achievement testing needs to be in the 95th percentile or above and IQ 130+. Math and Language arts are accelerated so that by 4th grade the kids are doing 5th grade level work. DD is in 5th grade and follows a 6th grade curriculum and additional curriculum is included (more vocabulary words, applications for math etc.) It is a wonderful program that is keeping DD engaged in the learning process at her own pace. Her teachers are all specialized in gifted education and can help her with the typical gifted issues such as organization, effort and perfectionists tendencies.

Our previous school district identified gifted children as required by state law. After that, the pull out program (2 hours per week) was by teacher recommendation. It was frustrating as the teachers used these enrichment programs for rewards. I think if a school offers enrichment on dinosaurs, astronomy etc. it should be available to all children. This program had nothing to do with being gifted, but the money received from state for gifted education had to be spent somehow

OP: I would suggest what the gifted program consists of. It may be a great program, or it may not be worth your time. More important is to stay in close contact with your child's teacher who can offer suggestions for boredom.

 

[RobinFabulous]

Our School starts testing in 2nd grade. They do a SAT and based on those scores can be referred for testing. You can also refer as a parent. They do gifter beginning in 3rd grade one half day a week, then 4th is one full day per week, 5th is two days per week.

If the scores are barely missed you have the option to retest.

My oldest is in gifted and she's working on the Future Problem Solvers Team right now.