A Note to Parents Following Selective Test Results:
Did your child’s gifted test or NWEA MAP scores surprise you? Whether your child received the selective enrollment test results you were hoping for or not, it’s worth recognizing all the successes you’ve helped them achieve so far. You’re doing a great job.
When you received your child’s gifted admissions results or NWEA MAP test scores, this was a defining moment where you discovered whether your child would be admitted into a selective enrollment school or accelerated gifted programs. And, regardless of the results, you may be experiencing some difficult emotions.
If your child was not admitted (or was placed on a waiting list), please know that you are still an extraordinary parent. The time and energy you devote to nurturing your child’s education is a lifelong gift.
That said, there are a few things to keep in mind as you consider your child’s results
Math scores may be lower this year
The NWEA and Stanford University partnered in a research study that looked at students’ fall 2020 MAP testing data to examine the impact of school closures on student achievement. While reading scores were fairly consistent, math scores were 5-10 percentile points lower than a typical year. If your child’s math scores reflect this trend, don’t panic! You’re not the only one.
Try not to turn your disappointment into your child’s
Children are skilled at recognizing when something is wrong, and the last thing you want is for your child to feel as though they’ve disappointed you. If you’re feeling upset or let down, that’s perfectly normal. But it’s not the fault of your child, nor is it indicative of their future success.
Avoid discussing results in front of your child
Whether your child was accepted to a gifted school or not, avoid talking about the results in front of your child. Even if the results are positive, circumstances may lead to the decision to refuse the offer. Additionally, you don’t want to set the tone that a score or admissions letter is a determinant factor to success.
Don’t feel bad if your child has a late start
If your child is in preschool or their early elementary years, it may not be too late to have them test again in a future year. They simply may not have been ready yet. The benefit to this? You have a whole new year to help them, encourage them, and walk alongside them as you teach them critical thinking skills.
Remember: Admissions results are not indicative of your child’s intelligence
If your child wasn’t accepted to a gifted school or program, you may feel disappointed. It’s important to remember that a variety of factors go into these results and it does not mean your child is not going to be successful academically.
In most cases, your child will continue to thrive and will be comfortable with academically accelerated work. Some children do grasp concepts more quickly than others, but there’s no reason why your child cannot embrace a growth mindset and critical thinking skills. If you feel as though your child could use additional help with gifted test concepts, consider signing up for our gifted test prep boot camps and giving it another try next school year.
Celebrate your child’s Gifted Test Successes
Finally, whether your child missed the score by a few points or the school ran out of available spaces, remember that there is much to celebrate. Reflect on your child’s successes and the love and support you provided during this stressful period. Think of those gifted children who were dismissed in their youth and grew to become great leaders (Einstein is a perfect example).
And most importantly, don’t forget that you are an extraordinary parent and your child is an extraordinary child. Your love, dedication, and trust in your child is a gift that will allow them to continue to grow into lifelong learners and accomplished adults.
Well done, and thank you for all you do, every day, for your child.
