GT Testing Orientation

November 29, 2011Mrs. Ann-Marie Bruchey

Ms. Amy Pagels

Who is tested for GT?

3rd Grade students 4th Grade students 5th Grade students

3rd Graders for 4th Grade GT Mathematics

SAT 10- 90%ile or higher on mathCurrent participation in above-

grade level mathematics classTeacher/Administrator nominated

or Parent/Guardian nominated

4th Graders for 5th Grade GT Mathematics

MSA Mathematics portion - Advanced Level

Current participation in above-grade level mathematics class

Teacher/Administrator nominated or Parent/Guardian nominated

(Current 4th Grade GT Math participants are not retested.)

5th Graders for 6th Grade GT Courses

MSA Mathematics or Reading portion - Advanced Level

Participation in 5th Grade GT Mathematics

Current participation in above-grade level mathematics or reading class

Teacher/Administrator nominated or Parent/Guardian nominated

When will testing occur?

Testing for grades 3 & 4 Thursday, February 2, 2012

Testing for 5th gradeThursday, December 8, 2012

What tests are administered?

School and College Ability Test (SCAT)3rd Grade for 4th Grade & 4th Grade for

5th Grade GT Mathematics will take the MRA (Math Reasoning Ability) portion of the SCAT

5th Grade for 6th Grade GT Courses will take the MRA and VRA (Verbal Reasoning Ability) portions of the SCAT

How are the tests formatted?

MRA - Math Reasoning Ability (grades 3, 4, & 5)

50 Questions in 20 minutes Comparing two columns of information

VRA - Verbal Reasoning Ability (grade 5)

50 Questions in 20 minutes Analogies

SCAT MATHColumn A Column B1. 10-7 10+72. 13 the number of inches in one foot3. (10x19)+(83-81) (10x19)+(81+83)4. 2+3+4 2+3+k5. the number obtained when rounding 300 321 to the nearest hundred6. x, if 3+x=12 y, if 7+y=167. the amount of money Kim the amount of money Bill has has if she has 3 coins if he has 2 coins

SCAT VERBALAnalogies1. fur : cat scales : ____________

2. math : numbers reading : ___________

3. actor : movie student : ___________

4. ice cream : cone cereal : ____________

How is this different from other tests my child has

taken?MSA/SAT 10- achievement(on grade level objectives)

vs.SCAT - reasoning ability

(reasoning)3rd & 4th - based on 6th grade norm

5th - based on 9th grade norm

How can I help my child prepare?

Get a good night’s sleep Eat a healthy breakfast

Be positive and encouragingGet to school on time

How will placement be determined?

Test scores as compared to cutoff requirement (scores are NOT percentages)

3rd Grade - MRA = Math placement 4th Grade - MRA = Math placement 5th Grade- MRA = Math placement

• Current GT Math participant exception– VRA = English and social studies placement– MRA & VRA = Science placement

When and how will I be notified of the test results and

placement option(s)? Grades 3 & 4- Mailed March 16, 2012 Grade 5- Mailed February 1, 2012 Letter mailed from the GT office

Will indicate score and recommended placement

Will explain the formula used to arrive at the score

Return permission slip granting or withholding consent

What should I consider when determining whether or not my child should participate in GT

Mathematics?Challenging material provides increased

rigorInstruction is at an accelerated pace -

two years above grade levelClasses focus on increased depth and

complexity of contentEmphasis is on problem solving and

mental mathInstructional strategies appropriate for

highly-able students are utilized

If my child’s scores were close to the cut-off and I believe he/she would be successful in the middle school program, what should I

do?

Request a Placement Review…• Placement Review Process for Grades 3 & 4:

– Parent/Guardian/Teacher requests a Placement Review by the date identified in the notification letter (Parent/Guardian requests must be in the form of a letter requesting placement in a particular class and must cite reasons/examples that would support the child as a successful student.)

– Placement Review Committee Meeting - made up of staff and administration

– Placement reviews are initiated as requested by parents and teachers

– Placement review letters are mailed• 3rd and 4th grade: April 27, 2012• 5th grade: March 9, 2012

What GT classes does my 5th grader have the possibility of

participating in while in middle school?

GT Mathematics GT Science GT English GT Social Studies

What other opportunities do we have to learn more about middle

school programs? Student Orientation (during the

day)Parent Orientation

Middle School Orientation:TBDFebruary 1-14, 2012

Questions??