tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post1900748688029194842..comments2024-02-28T22:24:07.299-08:00Comments on Community Forum for HCC (APP) in Seattle Schools: Open threadAndrew Siegelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06830585083467140758noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-10964402544311763792010-02-15T08:17:05.457-08:002010-02-15T08:17:05.457-08:00Hi all and thanks for the good discussion here and...Hi all and thanks for the good discussion here and on <a href="http://discussapp.blogspot.com/2010/01/only-2-3-weeks-for-app-eligibility.html" rel="nofollow">http://discussapp.blogspot.com/2010/01/only-2-3-weeks-for-app-eligibility.html</a><br /><br />We are parents of a Kindergartener who scored in the mid-90s for all three sections of the Cogat, but 99.5 for all sections of the WPPSI-III test that was performed last year, when he was 5. <br /><br />I called the AL office and asked specifically if the WPPSI-III was a test that would be accepted in addition to WISC and Stanford-Binet. It looks like the Advanced Learning Appeal page has now been updated to include the WPPSI. ( <a href="http://www.seattleschools.org/area/advlearning/appeal.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.seattleschools.org/area/advlearning/appeal.htm</a><br /><br />Because the WPPSI does not specifically test math, we will be including his MAP scores, but now must wait until after the winter break to get them. <br /><br />By the way, our scores letter came on Friday, Feb 5th. The following week we spent considering whether or not to appeal. Now it is the second week after obtaining the results and the school is on mid-winter break, sigh. Certainly no time for additional private testing. <br /><br />Of more concern is what to do for next year: This year's first-graders at my son's school (Broadview-Thomson) do NOT have enough students eligible for Spectrum so there was NOT a Spectrum class made available (isn't this reneging on a promise to provide such opportunities?) If this is also the case for next year, then my son will have neither APP nor Spectrum. We are appealing the APP decision only so he will have options.<br /><br />The principal at BVT will not be making the decision about whether or not there will be a Spectrum class until he gets the enrollment data in mid-April.<br /><br />So, what do we do? If we enroll at Lowell for the APP program (assuming the appeal is successful, but possibly prior to us knowing the results of the appeal), then our principal won't be counting our son for the Spectrum class, thus reducing the possibility of actually having a Spectrum class at Broadview.<br /><br />The prospect of busing / carpooling a kindergartener every day for the rest of his elementary school career is really daunting.Grace | Fashion Plantshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00874880027878443221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-83688278931328013152010-02-13T13:23:47.882-08:002010-02-13T13:23:47.882-08:00fuzzystar, I second the suggestion to use MAP resu...fuzzystar, I second the suggestion to use MAP results for backup if they're in the right range. The WASL results are not true percentiles at all.<br /><br />Helen Schinskehschinskehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10316478950862562594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-49985259389336059812010-02-13T13:19:54.629-08:002010-02-13T13:19:54.629-08:00The Hamilton MAP results were sent out with the gr...The Hamilton MAP results were sent out with the grades, so we got them today. As I suspected, typical results for 6th-graders in APP are quite likely to be off the top of the charts, so it doesn't look as though MAP will do much to show progress for middle schoolers.<br /><br />Helen Schinskehschinskehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10316478950862562594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-48868112487309506542010-02-12T16:13:49.073-08:002010-02-12T16:13:49.073-08:00fuzzystar, what about including the MAP results? M...fuzzystar, what about including the MAP results? My guess is that they were looking for math to be 95% or higher on the WASL to fully qualify for APP, so if your child has that score or higher on MAP, that would be useful information to provide. Your school should be able to print the MAP results for you to include in an appeal.Lorihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07777580098975083499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-29799407763920514792010-02-12T11:34:43.859-08:002010-02-12T11:34:43.859-08:00Thanks, Anonymous, good idea. I added a note to t...Thanks, Anonymous, good idea. I added a note to the <a href="http://discussapp.blogspot.com/2010/02/q-for-new-app-parents.html" rel="nofollow">Q&A for new parents</a> thread that it should also be used to discuss appeals.Greg Lindenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09216403000599463072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-18755221208780321052010-02-12T10:25:11.175-08:002010-02-12T10:25:11.175-08:00Greg, could you please start a separate thread on ...Greg, could you please start a separate thread on appeals for those families with questions and if those that were unsuccessful/successful previously what do they think made the difference.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-32469253336125653802010-02-12T10:20:53.426-08:002010-02-12T10:20:53.426-08:00We are appealing. Are outside test scores a "...We are appealing. Are outside test scores a "must" for an appeal packet? Our daughter's Cogat scores were <br />v:99, Q:95, and VQ: 99. Her WASL scores last year in 3rd grade were reading:99, Math: 92. <br />I had been thinking that letters from teacher/principal/parents, along with work example, would do. Now am questioning myself. Any feedback?fuzzystarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08893707226633940844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-44016028965111798742010-02-11T15:08:23.159-08:002010-02-11T15:08:23.159-08:00We are appealing and having our child retested. Do...We are appealing and having our child retested. Does anyone know what exactly the reading portion of the testing encompasses for a 1st grade level?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-15946832487818270192010-02-10T21:16:11.508-08:002010-02-10T21:16:11.508-08:00Why don't you ask your child's teacher to ...Why don't you ask your child's teacher to print out the MAP test results and give them to you? They can do that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-30332892067208072272010-02-08T11:22:35.830-08:002010-02-08T11:22:35.830-08:00Anon if your kid got the scores but they didn'...Anon if your kid got the scores but they didn't qualify for APP it may be because of a poor teacher evaluation. That said I wouldn't appeal until you get an understanding of the reason why. Call the AL office and ask for an explanation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-52739901388508291752010-02-07T14:03:22.284-08:002010-02-07T14:03:22.284-08:00I am new to this site as my daughter just qualifie...I am new to this site as my daughter just qualified for middle school APP (Hamilton). We didn't expect it, really, but want to explore this option fully.<br /><br />So can any Hamilton parents tell us what they think? We are especially concerned about math and science as we have a girl who is good in both. I heard science is a weak link. Thanks!Donna & Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04288137170747823068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-83515499042656327402010-02-07T13:02:26.922-08:002010-02-07T13:02:26.922-08:00We got our letter on Friday with good news (qualif...We got our letter on Friday with good news (qualified for APP). My daughter is a 7th grader right now, so if we chose to join the program, she will move to WMS in the fall for her last year of MS. I would appreciate any comments/suggestions how to handle such a "late" transition to the program. She is very strong at math (homeschooled after school using Singapore math books) and theoretically she would be ready for Algebra II in the fall. However, I heard that they do not offer it anymore in WMS. How do they place the newly coming kids into the appropriate math level: testing in September? Also, what languages are they offering in WMS? THanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-49747011838467350552010-02-06T21:02:14.016-08:002010-02-06T21:02:14.016-08:00I would appeal, probably citing current MAP scores...I would appeal, probably citing current MAP scores if they're impressive. In the past, they have had issues with admitting students in the earlier grades whose reading wasn't a full two grades ahead, so if you can show MAP results that are definitely more than two years ahead, that may help. <br /><br />Helen Schinskehschinskehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10316478950862562594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-41098361419333105642010-02-06T17:03:24.129-08:002010-02-06T17:03:24.129-08:00Hey, I am the parent who asked about 95 and 99 sco...Hey, I am the parent who asked about 95 and 99 scores on WC testing. A nice responder validated my hunch that our child would only be tested on the WC if Cogat scores were above 98. Not so... our kid got both tests and our letter assigned spectrum. But I am confused given the WC scores were 95 and 98. Should we appeal? Or is it worth it? We are not excited about the Spectrum assignment so it's essentially APP or local elementary. Thanks to all for any insights...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-78479964973809457892010-02-05T18:55:11.157-08:002010-02-05T18:55:11.157-08:00Last year the letters were mailed in waves. Those...Last year the letters were mailed in waves. Those who received letters later were given a different date for appeals. It is still a very tight window but means everyone gets almost the same amount of time.<br /><br />It is based on the date the letter of notification was mailed. You can call the AL office again and they will let you know if yours is in the mail or there has been a delay.Shannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13865361028544783972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-87004717458469615912010-02-05T16:08:08.996-08:002010-02-05T16:08:08.996-08:00I think that the appeal deadline is fluid and a mo...I think that the appeal deadline is fluid and a more reasonable timeline will be laid out.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12912540835602281136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-87425550432082772032010-02-05T15:57:49.712-08:002010-02-05T15:57:49.712-08:00You aren't using MAP scores are you?
Sometim...You aren't using MAP scores are you? <br /><br />Sometimes second test are confusing because it depends on what grade for Spectrum, But you said first grade so this shouldn't be an issue. K-1 90th percentile (or higher) IQ in 2 areas, ability not tested.<br /><br />2-7 Cogat 87th (or higher) percentile in 2 areas, 87th (or higher) percentile in both reading and math.<br /><br /> APP is indiscriminate of grade: 98th Cogat and 95th in both reading and math.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12912540835602281136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-29485727867726281282010-02-05T15:55:57.081-08:002010-02-05T15:55:57.081-08:00Maureen. My son took Biology in Summer Stretch and...Maureen. My son took Biology in Summer Stretch and after much hassle, he was allowed to "skip" biology at Roosevelt and take Chemistry as a 10th grader. Frankly, if you live in the attendance area, you have to be allowed in, yes? So if a student had biology already, whether from Summer Stretch or 8th grade somewhere, RHS would have to accommodate that, yes?Dorothy Nevillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17108759281089768738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-44212163076673404372010-02-05T15:48:43.012-08:002010-02-05T15:48:43.012-08:00Here, let me make that URL easily clickable:
http...Here, let me make that URL easily clickable:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.seattleschools.org/area/advlearning/eligtestcriteria.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.seattleschools.org/area/advlearning/eligtestcriteria.htm</a><br /><br />Also, for parents considering an eligibility appeal, there was a recent thread here on this blog, "<a href="http://discussapp.blogspot.com/2010/01/only-2-3-weeks-for-app-eligibility.html" rel="nofollow">Only 2-3 weeks for APP eligibility appeals?</a>", that may have some useful advice from other APP parents. Don't miss it!Greg Lindenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09216403000599463072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-53542435880282070122010-02-05T15:23:45.176-08:002010-02-05T15:23:45.176-08:00Here's that eligibility URL once more; looks l...Here's that eligibility URL once more; looks like it got cut off:<br /><br />http://www.seattleschools.org/area/advlearning/eligtestcriteria.htm<br /><br />And of course, there is a caveat from SPS: "Scores are general break points and not absolute qualifiers or disqualifiers. Teacher input is strongly considered."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-29551840289310275392010-02-05T15:23:24.499-08:002010-02-05T15:23:24.499-08:00anon at 233pm, just curious what your letter said....anon at 233pm, just curious what your letter said. Is your child assigned to Spectrum or APP or neither? <br /><br />We are still waiting on our letter! It just occurred to me that appeals are due 2/24, and as of Friday 2/5, we still don't have information. If we want to appeal and get a letter from our current teacher, we will have to get that from her ASAP because of mid-winter break coming up. This process is ridiculous!Lorihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07777580098975083499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-37335608234476004582010-02-05T15:21:31.044-08:002010-02-05T15:21:31.044-08:00Re Anonymous @ 2:33: With the upfront caveat that ...Re Anonymous @ 2:33: With the upfront caveat that I don't have any children in APP (still waiting for our letter one way or the other...maybe with today's mail?) the Advanced Learning section of the Seattle Public Schools website has an eligibility section here: http://www.seattleschools.org/area/advlearning/eligtestcriteria.htm<br /><br />Per that grid, a child would need to score in the 98th percentile or higher in two areas of the Cognitive Abilities Test and then 95th percentile or higher in both the Reading & Math Achievement tests to qualify for APP. There are lots of qualifying asterisks along with the grid so check it out for yourself, but it seems to me that if your first grader scored 98th percentile or higher on the CogAT portion, (andmy impression was that they only gave follow-up reading and math tests to those who did well in the CogAT) the reading and math scores you indicate below would make them eligible for APP.<br /><br />There are additional entries regarding Spectrum eligibility at that same URL. The home page for Advanced learning is here: http://www.seattleschools.org/area/advlearning/index.htm<br /><br />Hope this helps. Experienced APP-ers should feel free to correct me as necessary!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-34434555667319938192010-02-05T14:33:53.940-08:002010-02-05T14:33:53.940-08:00I am hoping someone can help me understand how the...I am hoping someone can help me understand how the AL office assigns a student to APP vs. Spectrum. Is APP 98th percentile and above? Is Spectrum between 95 and 98? Our child (first grade) scored 95 and 99 in math and reading respectively. Any insights will be appreciated. We're new to this process...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-44490301317902343552010-02-05T14:09:53.686-08:002010-02-05T14:09:53.686-08:00I am asking about Roosevelt in part because a frie...I am asking about Roosevelt in part because a friend who was at the Open House told me that an APP parent was asking about what science classes freshmen could take and was told that all of them have to take the same freshman science class, then Bio in 10th and then Chem or Physics in 11th... She pointed out that the APP kids were taking Bio now, and the science teacher and principal didn't seem to know aboout that or have any plans for dealing with it. When my friend asked the woman what she would do she said the kid would just go to Garfield. <br /><br />I was wondering if any APP HIMS parents want to meet with the principal and try to create a path for kids who are advanced in science. If so, TOPS parents would be interested in joining in.Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18444916440000921599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-84510475863104037932010-02-05T07:49:26.393-08:002010-02-05T07:49:26.393-08:00We haven't considered Roosevelt because we cou...We haven't considered Roosevelt because we couldn't possibly get in from where we live, but lots of APP students have always gone there (quite a few have historically peeled off after Lowell and gone to Eckstein, not wanting the commute to Washington -- the split was in part to accommodate them, I suppose). I find it rather telling that, while a lot of APP students end up at Roosevelt, when the principal was asked how many APP-qualified students were likely there, he didn't know, and could only think of two.<br /><br />We will definitely look at Ballard and Ingraham again when our son is in eighth grade. I think he will likely end up at Garfield, though, if only because of orchestra and possibly choir.<br /><br />Helen Schinskehschinskehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10316478950862562594noreply@blogger.com