I have a son who is being tested for the gifted program at his school. He was given the ITBS and scored 95-99% on the academics portion. Now they want to give him a “full cognitive assessment.” Can you tell me what this is? I am concerned that he is being made to jump through too many hoops.

 

Your concerns are not uncommon. Parents often wonder, “Why so many tests?” “What do they all mean?” “Is the school just trying to make it difficult for my child to get into the program?”

 

The ITBS (Iowa Test of Basic Skills) is an achievement test and is often given to all students at certain grade levels in a school. An achievement test gives an indication of what a student has already learned, which is different from testing one’s ability or potential for learning. Achievement tests typically assess material taught at the student’s grade level, so a score of 95% indicates that the student has a very good understanding of the material that is taught at that grade level. It does not test how much a student might already know beyond that grade level. When school personnel give a full cognitive assessment, it usually means they want to learn what the student a) already knows beyond his grade level and/or b) what his potential is for learning beyond his grade level. Assessments used may include an IQ test, an interest inventory, tests of visual-spatial strengths, or any one of a number of other categories of tests.

 

Do not be concerned that your student is being asked to jump through too many hoops. By giving him a full cognitive assessment, educators will learn more information about his abilities and form a more detailed picture of how to address his academic needs. After the full assessment, someone should sit down with you and interpret your child’s strengths and needs. If this isn’t done automatically, request this service. The ITBS was probably used as an initial screening device and the school now needs more information to determine if their gifted program will be a good match for your child. Some parents pay a great deal of money to have their kids assessed privately. I assume your child’s school is doing this for free, so this is a good thing.

 

There are many reasons for administering different assessments. Though it may get a little technical, you will reach a better understanding of assessments by reading Testing and Assessment: What Do the Tests Tell Us?