NOTIFICATION OF TESTING

Cognitive Abilities Test

Dear Parents and Guardians:

In an effort to obtain additional information about your child, the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) will be administered to your child between ___________________ and ___________________. It is important that your child attend school on these days, if possible. If your child must miss school during this time period and your child does not have another ability test result in their student record, they will have an opportunity to take another ability test later this fall.

The purpose of the CogAT is to provide information about students’ developed abilities in verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal reasoning. The types of tasks included in the test are based on content that children are likely to have experienced in school. However, the way questions are asked and specific test content are not necessarily what children have previously experienced. Children are not expected to know the answers to all questions and will be given opportunities to practice sample items before taking the test. The CogAT is an abilities test, so children are not expected to study or prepare for the test the way they would for an achievement test.

Score reports will be provided to parents once results become available. Typically, these reports are available before winter break. If you have any questions about this test, please contact the Advanced Academics Resource Teacher (AART), ____________________________, or school test coordinator, ____________________________, at your child's school.

NOTIFICATION AND OPT-IN FOR HOME LANGUAGE DIRECTIONS

Cognitive Abilities Test

Dear Parents and Guardians:

In an effort to obtain additional information about your child, the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) will be administered to your child between ___________________ and ___________________. It is important that your child attend school on these days. If your child must miss school during this time period and your child does not have another ability test result in their student record, they will have an opportunity to take another ability test later this fall.

The purpose of the CogAT is to provide information about students’ developed abilities in verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal reasoning. The types of tasks included in the test are based on content that children are likely to have experienced in school. However, the way questions are asked and specific test content are not necessarily what children have previously experienced. Children are not expected to know the answers to all questions and will be given opportunities to practice sample items before taking the test. The CogAT is an abilities test, so children are not expected to study or prepare for the test the way they would for an achievement test.

Our records show that your child has a home language other than or in addition to English. This means you have the option to have your child receive test directions in your designated home language. If you do not choose this option, your child can receive test directions in English. Please note that the test items themselves are only available in English and that some questions for grades 4-7 require the student to read in English. Your choice regarding home language test directions will not affect the language for test questions. If you would like for your child to receive CogAT test directions in a home language, please return the opt-in form below to the school or send an email with your opt-in request to _____________________________. 

Score reports will be provided to parents once results become available. Typically, these reports are available before winter break. If you have any questions about this test, please contact the Advanced Academics Resource Teacher (AART), ____________________________, or school test coordinator, ____________________________, at your child's school.

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Opt-In Form to Receive Test Directions in a Home Language

Return this form to your child’s school if you want him/her to receive CogAT directions in a home language.

I, ___________________ (parent/guardian) would like my student _____________________ (student’s name) to receive directions for the CogAT assessment in the following language:

________ English   ________ Russian   ________ Cantonese   ________ Mandarin

________ Spanish   ________ Arabic   ________ Vietnamese   ________ Somali

DEFERRAL NOTIFICATION

Cognitive Abilities Test

Dear Parents and Guardians:

In an effort to obtain additional information about students, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) typically administers the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) to all students who have not previously taken this test. The school has determined that it would be best to defer the CogAT for your child at this time.

To be considered for Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services in Virginia, only one nationally normed ability test is needed. If your child does not already have an ability test on record, then he or she will be given another opportunity to take an ability test in the future. Therefore, the decision to defer the CogAT for this school year will not limit any academic opportunities that are available to your child.

If you have questions about this decision, please contact the Advanced Academics Resource Teacher (AART), ____________________________, or school test coordinator, ____________________________, at your child's school.

NOTIFICATION OF TESTING

Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test Third Edition

Dear Parents and Guardians:

In an effort to obtain additional information about your child, the online version of the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test Third Edition (NNAT3) will be administered to your child between ___________________ and ___________________. It is important that your child attend school on these days. If possible, please avoid scheduling trips or appointments that would take your child out of school during this time period. It is also important that your child has had a good night’s rest and a healthy breakfast before testing.

The NNAT3 is a nonverbal measure of general intellectual ability. The test evaluates a student’s reasoning and problem-solving skills through the identification of patterns involving geometric shapes and pictorial designs. The test is designed to assess ability without requiring the student to read, write, or speak. Students are not expected to know the answers to all questions and will be given opportunities to practice sample items before taking the test. The NNAT3 is an abilities test, so children are not expected to study or prepare for the test the way they would for an achievement test.

Score reports will be provided to parents once scores become available. Typically, these reports are available several months after the test is taken. If you have any questions about this test, please contact the Advanced Academics Resource Teacher (AART), __________________________, or School Test Coordinator, __________________________, at your child's school.

DEFERRAL NOTIFICATION

Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) gives the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT) to all first graders and selected students in grades 2-7. We have decided to wait to assess your child at a later time. We made this decision because your child is still new to Virginia schools and has little experience using technology.

Virginia requires that students have a nationally normed ability test to be considered for Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services. The NNAT fulfills this need. The decision not to give the NNAT will not limit the academic opportunities available to your child.

If you have questions about this decision, please contact the Advanced Academics Resource Teacher (AART), ____________________________, or School Test Coordinator, ____________________________, at your child's school.