November 29, 2011
Mrs. Ann-Marie Bruchey
Ms. Amy Pagels

 3rd Grade students
 4th Grade students
 5th Grade students

 SAT 10- 90%ile or higher on math
 Current participation in above-grade level mathematics class
 Teacher/Administrator nominated or
Parent/Guardian nominated

 MSA Mathematics portion - Advanced
Level
 Current participation in above-grade level mathematics class
 Teacher/Administrator nominated or
Parent/Guardian nominated
(Current 4th Grade GT Math participants are not retested.)

 MSA Mathematics or Reading portion -
Advanced Level
 Participation in 5th Grade GT Mathematics
 Current participation in above-grade level mathematics or reading class
 Teacher/Administrator nominated or
Parent/Guardian nominated

Testing for grades 3 & 4
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Testing for 5 th grade
Thursday, December 8, 2012

School and College Ability Test (SCAT)
 3rd Grade for 4th Grade & 4th Grade for
5th Grade GT Mathematics will take the
MRA (Math Reasoning Ability) portion of the SCAT
 5th Grade for 6th Grade GT Courses will take the MRA and VRA (Verbal Reasoning
Ability) portions of the SCAT

 MRA - Math Reasoning Ability
(grades 3, 4, & 5)
 50 Questions in 20 minutes
 Comparing two columns of information
 VRA - Verbal Reasoning Ability
(grade 5)
 50 Questions in 20 minutes
 Analogies

Column A
1. 10-7
Column B
10+7
2. 13
3. (10x19)+(83-81)
4. 2+3+4 the number of inches in one foot
(10x19)+(81+83)
2+3+k
5. the number obtained when rounding 300
321 to the nearest hundred
6. x, if 3+x=12
7. the amount of money Kim has if she has 3 coins y, if 7+y=16 the amount of money Bill has if he has 2 coins

Analogies
1.
fur : cat
2.
math : numbers scales : ____________ reading : ___________ student : ___________ 3.
actor : movie
4.
ice cream : cone cereal : ____________

MSA/SAT 10- achievement
(on grade level objectives) vs.
SCAT - reasoning ability
(reasoning)
3rd & 4th - based on 6th grade norm
5th - based on 9th grade norm

 Get a good night’s sleep
 Eat a healthy breakfast
 Be positive and encouraging
 Get to school on time

Test scores as compared to cutoff requirement
(scores are NOT percentages)
 3rd Grade - MRA = Math placement
 4th Grade - MRA = Math placement
 5th Grade- MRA = Math placement
• Current GT Math participant exception
– VRA = English and social studies placement
– MRA & VRA = Science placement

When and how will I be notified of the test results and placement option(s)?
 Grades 3 & 4- Mailed March 16, 2012
 Grade 5- Mailed February 1, 2012
 Letter mailed from the GT office
 Will indicate score and recommended placement
 Will explain the formula used to arrive at the score
 Return permission slip granting or withholding consent

What should I consider when determining whether or not my child should participate in GT
Mathematics?
 Challenging material provides increased rigor
 Instruction is at an accelerated pace - two years above grade level
 Classes focus on increased depth and complexity of content
 Emphasis is on problem solving and mental math
 Instructional strategies appropriate for highly-able students are utilized

If my child’s scores were close to the cut-off and
I believe he/she would be successful in the middle school program, what should I do?
Request a Placement Review…
• Placement Review Process for Grades 3 & 4:
– Parent/Guardian/Teacher requests a Placement Review by the date identified in the notification letter
(Parent/Guardian requests must be in the form of a letter requesting placement in a particular class and must cite reasons/examples that would support the child as a successful student.)
– Placement Review Committee Meeting - made up of staff and administration
– Placement reviews are initiated as requested by parents and teachers
– Placement review letters are mailed
• 3 rd and 4 th grade: April 27, 2012
• 5 th grade: March 9, 2012

What GT classes does my 5th grader have the possibility of participating in while in middle school?
 GT Mathematics
 GT Science
 GT English
 GT Social Studies

What other opportunities do we have to learn more about middle school programs?
 Student Orientation (during the day)
 Parent Orientation
 Middle School Orientation:
 TBD
 February 1-14, 2012