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Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

1. Who is tested for the AIG program?

The tests to determine eligibility for the AIG program are administered to all second graders and to select 5th grade students. 

5th grade students are selected based on the results of their 4th grade EOG tests. 
 

2. What tests are used to determine if my child is AIG or not?

  Two tests are administered by the school system to determine eligibility for the AIG program.  The first one is the COGAT (Cognitive Abilities Test) which is an aptitude/intelligence test .  The second is the ITBS (Iowa Test of Basic Skills) which is an achievement test. 

3. How can my child qualify for the AIG program?

To qualify for AIG services a student must meet one of the three following criteria:

1. A full/scale composite score of 95th percentile on a group- or individually-administered IQ test; or

2. A sum of the percentile scores on nationally normed IQ/aptitude and achievement tests that is equal to 180; or

3. A multiple criteria standard of :

- 93rd percentile on a test of aptitude

- 93rd percentile on a test of achievement

- minimum one full year or more above grade level on the K-2 Assessment (for rising 3rd graders ) or EOG score at or above 92nd percentile in reading and math (for fourth-eighth graders).
 

4. What do the scores mean?

    If your child scores in the 93rd percentile that means that he/she scored higher than 93% of the students taking the exact same test.  Or, to look at it another way, that 7% of the students taking the same test got the same or a higher score than your child. 
 

5. When do the test scores come back?

  Test scores come back in February or March.  A letter is sent home to parents with the child's score and an explanation of what the score means.  For second graders the report will include a website where scores are broken down and parents can see which areas are their child's strengths and weaknesses.

  Fifth grade students will also receive a letter with their results informing the parent whether or not his/her child has qualified for the AIG or HAG services in 6th grade. 
 

6. How can we prepare for the tests?

There is no way to prepare for these tests.  The best thing for a parent to do is to ensure that your child is well rested and fed during the testing period.
 

7. I think my child is academically gifted but he/she did not qualify.  Can I have them retested? 

Any child who scores above an 87% on the first round of testing will automatically be retested between March and May.  If you feel that your child should have qualified but didn't, you may have your child tested by a licensed private clinical psychologist trained to administer such tests.  These tests are done at your own expense. 

 The test(s) must be current.  In other words they must have been administered to the student any time in the twelve-month period prior to the date of placement in the AIG or HAG program.

  If you decide to have your child privately tested, you MUST obtain a PRIOR NOTICE OF INDEPENDENT EVALUATION ( the AIG-2 form) from the school's AIG referral coordinator BEFORE T ESTING in order for the score to be considered in the AG placement process.
 

8. If my child does qualify must he/she participate in the AIG program?

If your child qualifies for AIG services you can decide to keep them in the regular education classroom and change your mind at a later date.  Once your child has qualified within the WSFCS system they remain eligible for services for as long as they stay in the WSFCS system. 
 

9. My fifth grader qualified for AIG services for middle school.  To which school should I send him/her?

Every school in the WSFCS system has a gifted program taught by teachers trained in gifted education.  Hanes Middle School is a magnet school that focuses on AIG and highly gifted education.  It is always advisable to visit the schools and talk to the teachers of the middle schools that you are considering for your child. 
 

10. How is the education in the gifted classroom different from that in the regular education classroom?

Forsyth County states that children in the gifted programs are to be taught academic material that is one grade level above their chronological age.  So, for example, sixth grade math is taught to fifth grade AIG students and more challenging books and reading materials are read by AIG students.  

You should see your child following a rigorous and challenging curriculum.  However, all students take the End-of-Grade test equivalent to their grade level.  So fifth grade AIG students take the fifth grade End-of-Grade tests. 
 
11. Who are the AIG teachers at Lewisville Elementary for 2011-2012?
Mrs. Burchette teaches 3rd grade AIG, Mrs. Arnold teaches 4th grade AIG, Mrs. Hendrix and Mrs. Shore teach 5th grade AIG.
 

12.Who do I contact if I still have questions?

Our AIG coordinator at Lewisville Elementary is Allison Mathews, our school counselor.  If she is not available you may also contact Carolyn Jakobowski, our curriculum coordinator. 

Almathews@wsfcs.k12.nc.us ,

 

 

Last Modified on June 14, 2012