[Oz-gifted] tests in the public system

[Ellen Hrebeniuk]

At 11:19 AM +1000 18/9/06, Fly2 wrote:

>  > I'm interested to know in exactly what ways the results are
>>  unreliable as I presume it would be more than just a matter of a
>>  larger margin of error.  I can make some educated guesses, but does
>>  anyone *know*?
>
>I am not sure what you are asking here exactly.

Sorry -- I meant that the reliability of testing instruments for IQ 
is supposedly lower at 5 than at 8.  I don't know whether that's due 
to ceiling issues, younger children's unfamiliarity with testing, 
etc, but it would be interesting if anyone here has any definitive 
answers.

>  > The Department expects assessment to cover intellectual functioning,
>>  academic achievement, and social/emotional maturity.
>
>Again, a person who is not experienced with gt children may misinterpret
>social /emotional maturity issues. That seems to be the experience of
>some folks who have been subjected to the school-based assessments.

I am not anticipating problems there:  the whole point of the 
exercise is to put a strategy in place *before* we get behavioural 
problems.  DS1 is in some ways the poster gifted child: nice 
'involved' middle class family, doing well in school socially and 
incredibly well academically (from a teacher's POV), no LDs, native 
English speaker...  TBH I think they might need a prod about looking 
for gifted NESB kids.

>  > I think they are hesitating between a number of courses of action,
>
>Are they not making the options clear?

I haven't had a proper meeting yet.  Here is what's happened so far:

Teachers had some discussion about meeting DS1's needs next year.
I asked for an appointment to discuss the same issue.
K teacher, K coordinator and Stage 1 coordinator have kicked around 
some ideas, but wanted the principal's OK before talking to me 
formally.  They are considering a "grade skip" and/or subject 
acceleration, but are very hesitant about the former.
Principal has requested a formal assessment so that they have a 
better understanding of what they are dealing with.

DET's guidelines are for formal assessment to take place before 
skipping a year, and they seem to be sticking to the script.
-- 
Ellen Hrebeniuk
Sydney, Australia

Being a librarian is how you change the world.
Nancy Pearl