I need some perspective on testing...

[patchfire]

Background: I was always an excellent standardized test taker. I went to a private school where there were other people who were also excellent standardized test takers. I intellectually know that in order to have a 95th or 99th percentile, someone must be in the 5th percentile or what have you, but my experience is really limited.

So. I'm looking at my dd's ITBS scores. This is the first time she's been tested, ever. I knew she was 'smart' and 'advanced' and the scores are good, but what I don't know is, well, how 'rare' or 'different' are excellent scores?

Slight brag alert here.

For example, she got every single question correct in two different math subtests. 99th percentile. Her overall reading total was 97th percentile, and she missed just two questions in terms of reading comprehension (and she had never done formal 'reading comp' before, at all). What does that really mean?

I should add that I'm further hampered in decoding all of this because one of her best friends also is an extremely high scorer, so when his mom and I talk, we're commiserating, not comparing, yk? I just don't know what to *do* with this knowledge - if anything.

I suddenly feel very jealous of my parents - they just sent me off to the high-achieving private school and didn't worry about it beyond that. :)

[Truscifi]

I don't know anything about that particular test, so I can't help with your question...but congrats to both of you, it sounds like she did great!

[zaichiki]

Perspective?

I guess I always consider WHO my kids' peers, coworkers, and schoolmates will be in the future. It's probable that my kids will be competitive with the other kids who are like them.

Dd wants to either be a vet or a violist. So, in college, she's going to be taking classes with other pre-med/pre-vet students (usually not that bottom 5%) or she'll be in a competitive music school with other serious musicians. Or she'll be something else, of course. ;) But why "compare" her to kids from a different world experience with different goals for the future, you know? So... in my mind, I'm "comparing" her to the other high-achieving kids out there... and she fits right in. 50th %ile. :)

Same idea for ds: he's likely to end up a history professor or an aerospace engineer. Really. These are his areas of interest, obsession, and strength. So, why not "compare" him, in my mind, with the other future engineers and professors? I'm not going to be thinking about how much above "average" his scores are, because the "average" that he'll be working/living with will be quite different from the national average IYKWIM.

I guess it's just like your school experience. If you're surrounded by other high achievers/accelerated learners, then *that's* your measuring stick.

Not that we need to measure our kids against other kids all the time, but it helps to put those scores into perspective, doesn't it? Anyway, I *like* my world with the rose-colored glasses *on* where my kids are just one of the pack. :)

[zaichiki]

Oh, I forgot to mention that those ITBS scores probably mean you've done a great job educating her! :) She was ready to handle that particular hurdle and did it exceptionally well.

[EKS]

Did you give her the test yourself? For me, that's where I get my information. My son took the 2nd grade ITBS this year right after he finished the 2nd grade math book. There was nothing on the test that hadn't been covered in his math book (in fact the math book had gone beyond what was covered on the test). He made some silly errors but still scored at the 98th percentile compared to other 2nd graders. What this means is that most other 2nd graders haven't mastered 2nd grade level material by the time they take the test.

On the other end, I have a 13yo who is starting high school in the fall. For his annual testing I'm thinking of having him take the ACT or SAT because at this point it makes more sense to have him compared to college-bound kids. His 99th percentile on the ITBS might translate to 50th percentile on the SAT and this is important information.

As far as doing anything with the information, I'm assuming that you already knew she was bright and that you're trying to keep her challenged and interested in learning. Just keep doing what you're doing; it appears to be working!

[Donna]

Congrats to you and dd.

Here's my perspective...

It might be more helpful to you to test her at a grade level where she scores in the 50th% because that would give you more information as to where she truly is.

For example, when my oldest was 5yo (technically wouldn't have made the state cutoff to start K that year...which is one of the big reasons we started homeschooling), we had done 1st grade in our homeschooling so I gave him a 1st grade standardized test (that was many moons ago so I can't remember which one but it was one I administered and the company graded). He scored in the 99th% with very high grade levels (which meant that an X grader taking that particular test would have scored the same not that he was capable of that grade's level of work). The same is true of the ITBS according to their scoring explanations. http://www.education.uiowa.edu/itp/itbs/itbs_interp_score.aspx

His 99th% scores didn't tell me anything about where he truly was in his learning except that he had mastered 1st grade. I didn't know if he had learned higher level material because only his grade level material was presented. It would have been more helpful for me to give him a 2nd or 3rd grade test, or higher, and have his scores fall closer to the 50th%. If he scored 50th% on a 3rd grade test, I would know he was as capable as the average 3rd grader doing 3rd grade work.

His scores did qualify him for testing through Johns Hopkins CTY and through that out-of-level testing I did get a better idea of where he was.

I don't know if I explained that well.

[melmichigan]

:)

[melmichigan]

:iagree:I think you explained it pretty well! There is a common misconception that when a child does really well with grade level ITBS testing parents tend to look at the grade level results and assume that their child should be working at that level. That isn't how the test is designed. It does say that you and your DD had a great year! Congrats.

There are achievement tests that will give you a grade level of material where your child tests but they continue to move through the grade levels as your child completes the lower level within the same test. So, a third grader may have material available from third thru eleventh grade and continues from one grade to the other until their level is determined. The ITBS isn't one of those tests, it is very content specific. The only way to get a similar result is to continue giving the ITBS like Donna mentioned.:)

[Mamasteff]

The other place you might find information is with groups that work with advanced or talented kids. I believe CTY states test scores must all be above 95% (for their grade level) to participate. Others may be different, but that is a place to start.

[KAR120C]

It might be more helpful to you to test her at a grade level where she scores in the 50th% because that would give you more information as to where she truly is.
For a rising 4th grader, you (OP) can start looking at talent search testing. The Explore is especially popular at that age, and as an 8th grade test should give you something more useful... especially since you get not only the 8th grade norms (against average 8th graders) but also the talent search comparison (against other G/T 4th graders).

We used CTD/ NUMATS through Northwestern University, and they send out the whole distribution by grade, 3rd - 6th, for Explore scores, which means not only can you compare for her grade, but a grade or two up and down, which is good for figuring where she "fits" among other bright students. If she's on the high end of bright 4th graders, would she be more average around bright 5th graders? or still high? That sort of thing. And it gives you more of a chance to see some scatter -- like if English scores are off the charts all the way up but Math tapers off a bit.

[patchfire]

Thanks, all!

Yes, we've started looking at the Talent Search testing, and we'll probably be pursuing that route. I knew about the grade levels not really being 'working at that grade level,' but I did have to explain it to DH! :)

We'll keep plugging away with what we're doing, hopefully not screwing her up too much. ;)