tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2430112182493224146.post5859190003574158962..comments2023-11-03T01:07:50.102-07:00Comments on AJ's Clubhouse: Another day, another testHarriethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05180730302829554796noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2430112182493224146.post-87974747908495347802009-11-12T08:07:52.870-08:002009-11-12T08:07:52.870-08:00Well, here's another perspective on the tests ...Well, here's another perspective on the tests issue. I WISH my son would want to take the tests and see how he measures up. He is incredibly bright, but a poor performer, both in the classroom and on standardized tests. He is utterly languishing in the classroom curriculum, and gets reprimanded for not paying attention when they're teaching easy spelling or math concepts he figured out on his own years ago. However, he doesn't seem to care enough to really try on tests, and even clearly gives teachers ornery answers rather than trying to get things right. Consequently, he doesn't qualify for gifted programs or harder work, and the cycle continues. We try to explain to his teachers that he really needs advanced curriculum to spark his interest, but they politely talk around it and don't buy it.<br />As a child, I discovered that standardized tests were fun and easy, and got a charge out of seeing how high a percentile I would score in. What did this gain me? For one, no fear of any test, no matter how important, just confidence that if I tried my best, I would do well. Plus all of the benefits that you do get from scoring well on tests, not the least of which is college admissions. The habits kids develop about tests now in elementary school are what we will be dealing with when they get to the SATs, LSATs, MCATs and GREs in later life.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11210979124565386015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2430112182493224146.post-89799397645671376662009-10-06T12:22:19.441-07:002009-10-06T12:22:19.441-07:00Walker took the NUMATS (ACT) last year and a lot o...Walker took the NUMATS (ACT) last year and a lot of what we got out of it is offers to send him to out-of-state high schools for the gifted and summer programs at colleges (none of which he's interested in). He may take the SAT one this year, but that's for practice before the score gets recorded (next year). I don't see the sense in doing this before 8th grade unless you want all the private school offers in your mail.<br /><br />I agree with you that too much attention to test scores is not a good thing.Jeannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01374498643286099244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2430112182493224146.post-63257247222045192162009-10-05T19:09:30.206-07:002009-10-05T19:09:30.206-07:00Usually what the grade equivalency scores mean on ...Usually what the grade equivalency scores mean on those tests is that an average student in that grade would answer the questions as A.J. did on the same test. So in this case if an 8th or 9th grader took the test, they'd likely score like A. J. did. Which is a little different than knowing the same thing as a typical 8th or 9th grader would. Does that make sense? Also, I don't think you're crazy to be hesitant about more testing. The Explore is interesting in that it covers typical ACT-type questions and provides some career aptitude pieces as well, but I don't see it as particularly relevant for a 3rd grader, even a gifted one.LSMhttp://somewhereinthesuburbs.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2430112182493224146.post-41165620181237985842009-10-05T13:52:06.025-07:002009-10-05T13:52:06.025-07:00That's the thing. AJ's already tested for ...That's the thing. AJ's already tested for this program. It was the very first test we did and we did it specifically to qualify for their extracurricular programs and on line curriculum, in case we needed it. We used his scores to help his case with his school, but ended up having to do a full IQ test last year for that. As far as I can tell, he'd get a certificate and we'd get some books that we can probably access some other way. So I'm thinking not. We haven't told AJ his exact numbers, just that he's doing well But he could figure it out if he wanted to. He knew his MAP numbers, because the test told him what he got when he finished and he remembers everything. But he doesn't really know what they mean. I do think AJ enjoys the challenge of testing. He likes hard questions as long as it's clear what the rules are (he HATES ambiguity). But I'm not sure that's enough.Harriethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05180730302829554796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2430112182493224146.post-24045220478676217562009-10-05T13:47:52.045-07:002009-10-05T13:47:52.045-07:00No, not crazy. What are the benefits of him taking...No, not crazy. What are the benefits of him taking this test? Is there a program you would truly consider if he qualified? Is it just for information? Unless there is a good justification for it, I would certainly avoid it. I think you do risk AJ getting obsessed over his own numbers.My Kids' Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07568872428132909098noreply@blogger.com