Anyone familiar Weschler testing & CoGAT testing for children?

[Wendy]

Is anyone familiar with these tests for children? I am curious of the tests are pretty accurate. Also interested if there is any study material to help your child be prepared for this testing. I do not necessarily think that if a child is truly gifted that they must prepare in terms of studying, but I do think it is a benefit to understand the process.

My 7 year old is what I would classify as bright, not necessarily gifted, but her school keeps asking my permission to have her screened. If she passes, in the gifted range, she will be pulled from her regular classroom 8 hours a week to a different classroom for more in depth teachings.

 

[ArNav]

I personally don't believe in any tests that are supposed to measure intelligence or talent. I remember doing very poorly in IQ tests and other similar tests in school, but I finished my BA cum laude and my MA magna cum laude, just to give an example. Being a philosopher I also have a lot of theoretical reservations to this type of thing.

 

[k200817]

Your going to get varying opinions on this subject. Both pros and cons. My advise would be to absorb all the information you can without driving yourself crazy and also speak with your daughter's pediatrician then do what your gut tells you to do and don't look back. This is your child and her future. Very precious thing.

 

[Wendy]

speak with your daughter's pediatrician

That had never crossed my mind. Thanks for the suggestion. I have wavered from one end to the other on this whole thing so many times already. I was thinking about possibly talking to the school counselor also.

 

[syngent]

you could always have her screened to see, then if she is gifted at that point decide if that is for her or not. If she doesnt then you are worrying for nothing any how.

Plus im sure if she is put into a different class for a few hours a week and it doesnt work out for her or the family the school can allow her to go back to her regular studies

I cant offer any facts or science to the classes or intelligence but you are always better having more options then none at all. Would the school let you speak to other parents of children in the programme to see how it is already working out for them ?

 

[Wendy]

I think part of my worrying in advance is I do not want to put her through the testing and her fail anyway. She is a perfectionist and will never let it go if she is not accepted. I have talked to several teachers about the classes, they seem about as smart on the subject as me. The way the run the program at her school is unlike many other schools. They only have one class per grade, but that one class is children that they have accepted from the entire district. We have 9 elementary schools in our district, they will accept 20 or less children per grade for the entire district so it is a very tiny percentage of kids who are tested and even smaller that will make it. That is part of my issue of even having her tested. I am not concerned she can do the work in the classroom, I am more concerned of the testing process and if she will pass the test. From what I understand the Weschel screening is the "go to" across the states, I am hoping to find someone even outside of my district who is familiar.

 

[syngent]

Have you thought of trying to convey they screening as not a pass/fail, but looking for for a specific trait among children her age, that while although just as smart as the others, the program itself may not be right for her, rather then her not right for the program

 

[ChefJohnBoy-ardee]

I could have been challenged a lot more in school. I never needed to work for my grades. I tested into all the advance classes and the district's gifted program. It worked fine until my second year of college on scholarship when I actually needed to study. I failed miserably but it all has worked itself out.

Anyways, I recommend exposing her to all sorts of tests and learning tools and experiences to challenge her.

Being seven she should bounce back quick if she doesn't get accepted- but you know your daughter better than my generalization.