G&T testing deadline extended
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Parents who initially opted out of gifted and talented testing but have reconsidered now have an opportunity to sign their child up for testing: The DOE just announced an extension in the G&T deadline. Requests for Testing forms will be accepted at public schools for students currently enrolled in public school pre-K classes and at Borough Enrollment Offices for kids in other programs through February 9, 2009. (The original deadline was November 19th.) Families who have already submitted a testing request should sit tight; those with questions can call (212) 374-5972.
The extension is due, at least in part, to a corresponding extension in the pre-K registration calendar, according to the DOE.
We’re still hoping that news on the new citywide G&T schools, planned in theory for Brooklyn and Queens, will be made available before the score reports and applications are sent to eligible families on April 6, but to date, DOE sources have been noncommittal.
Update: Kathleen Brannigan of the DOE wrote us to caution: “The G&T extension is just for children applying to Kindergarten, meaning those children born in 2004. The extension is not for children seeking entrance to 1st and 2nd grade programs.” We appreciate the clarification.
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Don’t you think there has to be something more here? What is the relation of PreK registration to G & T, unless the DOE is targeting those kids that are just signing up for UPK now? Trying to readjust last year’s lopsided demographics?
Comment by Anonymous — January 28, 2009 @ 12:26 pm
The real question is whether, in tandem with expanding the pool of students and making testing available to families who overlooked the original deadline, DOE will be expanding the number of *spots* available in G&Ts. Otherwise this will simply stiffen the competition and make things worse for the many families who played by the rules.
Comment by Elise — January 28, 2009 @ 12:44 pm
Helen,
Any indication from the DOE whether the number of children applying to take the test is up or down from last year? I agree with commenter #1 that the DOE’s explanation that this is somehow related to pre-K registration doesn’t pass the smell test.
Comment by TJ — January 28, 2009 @ 12:53 pm
Thanks much for the comments — I went to DOE earlier today with these questions (and a few others) and am hopeful of a reply sometime soon. As to whether the extension reflects more seats, it may be that the actual seat count will go up, with or without the extension, as all programs will start in K this year (as opposed to prior years, when some started in K and others in 1st grade). We also asked if the numbers this year are up or down from last year at this time. Stay tuned, and keep the questions coming.
Comment by Helen — January 28, 2009 @ 1:09 pm
[…] and talented testing deadline is extended for kindergarten applicants. Filed under: Newsroom Posted at 8:13 pm […]
Pingback by Remainders: Anti-Weingarten faction of the union is restless | GothamSchools — January 28, 2009 @ 8:14 pm
Any truth in the rumor that the new G&T Citywide will be at PS 38 in Brooklyn? New principal just for G&T?
Comment by Anonymous — January 29, 2009 @ 5:29 pm
They can test all the want, the problem — and it’s chronic — is that they cannot accommodate the children who have tested into the program. Think of the countless children who had to turn down seating placement due to fact that many of them in outside boroughs cannot afford the $6k private bus service or their parents cannot afford to be an hour late for work. And the districts of children who’ve tested into the program and have no place to go (Forest Hills, Riverdale come to mind). The DOE has fallen seriously short on what they do on the other side of these tests. Will they change their tune this year, we can only hope and pray. Or are they just waiting to be sued?
Comment by Anonymous — February 3, 2009 @ 3:21 pm
This has nothing to do with pre-K admissions, to relate the two is ridiculous.
Comment by Anonymous — February 3, 2009 @ 3:22 pm
Do you know when the results for the nyc gifted and talented exam is available?
Comment by tiffany — April 14, 2009 @ 3:50 pm
Tiffany, DOE’s website says they will mail parents with news from G&T tests beginning April 30th.
Comment by helen — April 15, 2009 @ 8:17 am