The Department of Education has proposed reforms to the admission processes for the city’s gifted and talented programs. With these reforms the DOE is hoping to “expand access to gifted programs and create a single, rigorous standard—based on national norms—for ‘giftedness.'” Parents have until Nov. 25 to comment on the proposal. My question is this: How will this affect the middle school admissions process? I think it just affects schols that are Citywide Gifted options. Some parents in Park Slope apply to a school called NEST, which is one of the city’s G&T options. Not sure if MS 51 is included in this. Can anyone weigh in on this? This information is from Insideschools.org

All students will be tested for G+T at their schools, not at off-site testing centers.

Evaluations will continue to be based on two assessments (as they were last year for the first time). Children will continue to take the OLSAT. The Gifted Rating Scale will be replaced by something called the Bracken School Readiness Assessment, which the DOE says is “easier to administer in schools to many children.”
Children who take both tests will be given a composite score (75 percent OLSAT, 25 percent BSRA). Any child whose scores place him in the 95th percentile nationally will be guaranteed a slot in a gifted program in his district. Children whose scores are in the 97th percentile will be able to apply to the three citywide gifted schools: TAG, HunterAnderson, and NEST.

Families will rank their choices from among the district and citywide options.

OSEPO will place students. Parents will know whether their child is guaranteed a G+T slot by March 31 and will get their placement offers by May 31.

To make the process even more equitable, beginning in 2008, all students — not just those whose parents request an evaluation — will be tested for G+T eligibility.

The DOE says it also plans to enhance the quality of instruction in self-contained G+T programs citywide — quality, like admissions procedures, has varied from district to district — and to expand enrichment opportunities for all students, not just those whose scores qualify for G+T programs.

You can attend a Town Hall meeting in your borough to learn more and give your feedback; the first meeting is Nov. 5 in Manhattan. See the Insideschools calendar for more dates. Through Nov. 25, you can also submit feedback via email or by phone at 212-374-5219..