Gift & Talented Test for the Vanguard/Magnet School!

Can he not go to this magnet school if he doesn't pass the GT test? Is that why you are stressing his performance, because you hope he will be admitted? Is this school one that will enhance his education and meet his needs?

I am a GT teacher, and help evaluate GT students at the high school level. Everyone else here is absolutely correct. These are not tests that your son should be practicing for. He either has the ability or he doesn't. It isn't something someone studies for.

I also agree that parents tend to put way too much pressure on getting their children into the GT programs. We need to be more focused on being sure we get our children into the right program for each individual child, whichever program that may be. The GT program isn't the right fit for every child. It isn't necessarily the right fit for every intelligent child. Intelligent and GT aren't always the same thing.

At any rate, I hope your son will end up in the right place for him, wherever that may be. :)

The point of Gifted and Talented testing is to show natural aptitide towards learning. At this point, either your son has it, or he doesn't. You shouldn't need to practice.

Also, the tests are set up to be age-appropriate, and he'll be compared against other children of his age. As long as he can focus as much as any other 6 year old, he'll be fine.

I don't know about your particular school, but in our school, GATE testing is one-on-one with the teacher. And it was done over several days so the child didn't get too burned out on any one day.

Behareh, I suggest that you are also judging the answers based only on the answers. You asked for among other things general info about the test. Some of these moms feel that studying for the tests is putting pressure on him. You don't think that's pressure. I also think it's pressure even tho that is not your intent.

The problem here is a difference in understanding of what constitutes pressure. You asked for our opinion. No one judged you or said you were wrong. They just said that there is no need to study for the tests.
Their opinion given after you asked the question.

If you expect us to agree with what you're doing then you're right to not ask questions. The point of this site is to air different ideas on how to do things. These moms wrote their ideas. What is wrong with that?

I hope you stay on this site and get to know us Mom's. You'll find that many of us are thoughtful and try to be kind. We do give direct answers. There are some, who I've come to know as kind, but whose way of writing can sound critical and judgmental. And a very few who are right down rude and thoughtless. We're a group just like any other large group of people. Most are helpful and a few are unkind. Take what is helpful and forget about what isn't.

I am not familiar with all the acronyms either? I am *assuming* you might be talking about having your son tested for the Gifted & Talented program at your son's school?

Not all states do the same thing when it comes to testing and placing kids in the 'Gifted' programs.

I grew up in CA and was in their Gifted program, back then it was called 'GATE'...I recall the testing was long but we had lots of breaks and it was fun.

I live in WA state now and the way my kids school/state does it is they have a company come in and test ALL the kids every year K-4th grade and only if the kids pass ALL the tests, each year, do they then get placed in the 'Gifted' classes/program in the 4th grade. I was told by my son's teacher that lots of kids level out the older they get, so the state has chosen to test yearly to truly tell who is GIFTED and who is just a really smart K or 1st grader. My school district also has supplemental programs you can apply for if you truly feel your kid needs to be challenged more though, which is cool.

Sorry I am not any help but my advice would be to not prepare him at all. I am sure it will be fun, he is only 6 and the teachers/test givers are usually aware of what and how much kids that age can handle.

For what it's worth, both my boys have passed all their tests so far and they have both informed me that the tests are *really* cool! Puzzles and games, word association and flash card type stuff.

I apologize if I am off the mark and you are talking about something else. Either way, it's just a test and it sounds like if you have been practicing for a few weeks I am sure he will be fine.

Bahareh, from the look and sound of your name your Parsi? That was just a guess. Welcome to the board.

I am sorry you feel you were judged. Though reading through a lot of the answers, I dont see you were. I agree with Marda. She has pretty much nailed it. I think that you feel judged, because you wish for your son to excel. If I am guessing, and I am taking a large liberty at this guess. Is that culturally, academics for you plays a large role in how you handle your sons academic future. I may be wrong in that, but I can understand the need to be sure he excels. I do however agree with many of the posters and the point that if he is meant to be in this program, he will be. Never hurts to try to help him either, but dont make it the main focus of his life at 6.

Your son is 6 yrs old. He does NOT need this type of pressure. He needs to be able to go to school, enjoy school, make friends, socialize.

Most children even out academically by the 2nd grade and when some of those children show that they need more curriculum, then they meet with the GT teacher during the week. Our school makes sure not to stress the test because it makes so many children anxious, nervous and stressed out over nothing.

I've been teaching over 10 years, mostly to K-5th graders and I see so much pressure by the parents to get their children into the GT program. It is the parents who are pushing for testing because they feel their little one is the next Einstein.... he may well be but why put that pressure on a 6 yr old child? The children are stressed out and can't focus because they are trying not to let mom/dad down and pass these tests. I've had children come to me in tears because they did not have a perfect score and mom and dad were going to be mad and punish them. I find that the children have more emotional issues because they are trying to sort out their "spot" and they are torn between being a child and excelling to the parents expectations. SO many people categorize the GT program and many of the GT children feel like outcasts in the class.

Please, let nature take its course and do not place this undue pressure on your child. I am sure he will excel at his own pace and if he needs more instruction, he will get it.

Don't be worrying so much about getting him into GT. Let him be a child and enjoy childhood.

In our district....When the time is right and a child is in the GT program, he/she will be pulled from the regular classroom to meet with the GT teacher for more detailed class for about an hour, once or twice a week. The GT teacher usually has 15-20 student in her class from each grade level.

Keep communication open with his teachers and use BALANCE. Allow things to naturally fall into place.

Could you maybe ask this again without all the acronyms?

Generally, any gifted/talented/IQ testing is not something that can be studied for. Period. I would not put that pressure on your child.

If your child is gifted/talented, you will not NEED to help them "practice" and often it can backfire on you. They should not test your child for an entire day. If it takes that long, then they should break up the test over a few days. That is what they did with my daughter. They administer part of the test one day and then the rest on a subsequent day. It's not something they can go home and "study" for, so breaking up the test has no down side.

Typically, the tests are one on one. Lots of it verbal.

Relax.

Just let him take the test and see what happens. As far as I know, entrance into GT programs is not based just on one test, but on lots of other factors. If your son is meant to be in GT, he will be there. If he's not, he won't. I don't think there are too many GT kids who slip through the cracks and go unnoticed by teachers. Drives me crazy to hear about parents worrying about this test or trying to study for it. UGH. And for the record, my daughter was accepted into the GT program a few years ago (apparently she took this test and I didn't even know about it). We chose not to send her because it didn't seem like the right fit. I highly agree with Angela G - intelligence and GT are not necessarily the same thing. Anyway, if your son needs to be in GT program then the school will figure it out. You can leave that one alone.

Your question seems to stem from the fear that he won't pass the test, or he won't perform as well as you think he should. The test is not meant to be prepared for or practiced. That is a big mistake. you will skew the results, It won't help him in fact you could be giving him anxiety which will backfire and cause him to not do as well as he could.

Welcome Mama! I am sorry you feel you were judged. I read through the answers and did not see any snarky or judgmental statements. One struggle with electronic communication is that it is hard to know the tone of comments. Please know this blog is full of great moms with strong opinions. Every once in awhile things get snarky but usually it doesn't and the majority of moms really try their best to help each other! I would post again and see what happens!

GT Programs are only as good as the GT Coordinator/Teacher. You can give him all the GT experiences he needs at age 6, at home, famliy trips, etc.

Personally? I wouldn't push him. He's 6. If he passes - great - if not - let him be.

There are great GAT'd schools. However, the teacher and program are essential to the success of the program as are the children.

Let him do this without pressure from you to "be the best". That's a whole lotta stress for a 6 year old.

GOOD LUCK!!

Thank you so much for your comments eventhough I got discouraged to ask another question!! All I can say that I never push him or put pressure on him. We have been practicing math and reading!! Please don't judge someone just based on a question!! Thanks again for your time.