Testing for Gifted and Talented

Tell him it has more to do with identifying if he's the kind of person that learns differently... outside the box.... it really has nothing to do with IQ or smarts.

I have 3 kids, 2 daughters. One is in LEAP, the other isn't. The one that isn't gets better grades in her classes (and she takes AP classes), than the "gifted" one. It's really not the best name for a program. So I wouldn't put the emphasis on being "smarter" but on being able to see things differently and creatively.

I didn't say anything to my daughter when they tested her. The kids have so many "tests" anyway that it didn't seem out of place to her at all. If she hadn't qualified after the testing, I wouldn't have had to tell her that she didn't make it 'cause she never knew what they were testing for.

My daughter never even pays attention to those kinds of things if they aren't made a big deal of in the process. I mean, she was so stressed about the stupid TAKS test 'cause all the teachers were pushing how important it was for them to pass. We had to sit her down and just remind her how fantastic she was in reading at school and that we didn't have a worry in the world about her passing. We knew if she just took her time and answered the questions to the best of her ability, she would do just fine. Of course she aced it. I asked her about it after we found out she got all the answers correct and she even mentioned that she remembered us talking about taking her time and she slowed down and didn't worry about it any more.

I think elementary school is too soon to have stresses about testing or qualifying for special programs and such. If they qualify, that's great. Why stress them with the "why's" at such a young age? That's my opinion anyway.

I would just let him know that he should try his best! For some of my students they were somewhat anxious with the testing and so we prepped them through Beestar's online GT program. Since it was easily accessible the students were able to practice at our center and at home. Although some of our students tested into the programs they still ended opting out of the program since we could just work on their skill sets through Beestar's program.

J.-

My advice (from a teacher point of view) is to not tell him anything. You do not want him to stress or worry about it. Usually the testing coordinators are so good at their job, the child enjoys the one on one time and does great. Most of the testing at that age is more of the same concepts learned in class. Teacher recommendation plays a large role in it as well. So even if he does poorly on the test, a strong teacher recommendation can get him in the program.
Bottom line...unless he is very inquisitive, I would let the teacher/tester answer any questions he might have at the time of testing. If you do have to explain the test to him, I would emphasis that it will show his learning style and strengths. You can also tell him that it will help his teachers in teaching him (true because he will be on a different track). Good luck!

Tracie O. is right, it is a very misleading term for the program. I was so sure my kindergartener would qualify, that after he didn't I met with the G/T teacher. She was so nice and it was a great meeting. I didn't go to her with the intention of changing the outcome, I just wanted to know more about the criteria and such.
The areas they tested had nothing to do with I.Q. or basic classroom curriculum. My child's strong points are in math and memorization, which they did not test for at all. Your child could be Valevictorian (sp?) and not have qualified for the G/T program. Also, the qualifications differ from one district to the next. Your child may qualify in one school, but not another.
My biggest advice would be to be confident in your child's abilities no matter the outcome of the testing...and be content as long as your child is being challenged and is happy/content. Don't look to a label such as "G/T" to gain pride and confidence in your child :)
BTW, I wouldn't even mention the testing. He won't even know he's being tested, and will not know if he does or doesn't qualify unless you tell him.

I have to agree don't not tell him anything. They often pull kids aside for testing and it will be just like that.

Former teacher here too, I wouldn't even deal with it. I might tell him that people are going to watch him do puzzles or talk with him but that's it. It's not like you can really help them 'study'.
If you don't make a big deal out of it, neither will he. Surprisingly they seem to figure things out afterwards if it is a 'pull out' type of program.