Hundreds of parents lined up at PS 58 last night in Brooklyn for information on gifted and talented programs. Info booklets, which were in short supply, describe the application and testing process and include a short practice test. They're available in bulk at local elementary schools and at borough enrollment centers, and they are posted on line here-- minus the sample test.

Anna Commitante, head of gifted and talented at the DOE, walked parents through the basic process and took questions on testing and placement. (The PowerPoint graphics used to support her talk will be posted after November 6th, according to Commitante.) None of the questions raised had to do with the issues most recently in the press-- fewer kids in g+t, less diversity, scaled-back outer-borough programs. Instead, most focused on the process going forward.

First and foremost, the deadline for Requests for Testing (in the booklets and also on line) is November 19th. "We won't accept it on the 20th," Commitante said. She urged parents to physically walk the request for testing into their child's elementary school or a borough enrollment center, citing "many problems last year" with mail delivery.

Testing will take place in January and February at local schools. Four-year-olds, born in 2004, will test individually, with a tester "bubbling in" the answer sheet. Five-year-olds, though, will test in groups of five, with one teacher. Kids are expected to bubble in their own answer sheets (a fine-motor challenge that's a test in itself for some kids), and they're not permitted to ask questions during the test. Essentially, the tester reads each item aloud once and the children respond; no questions, no do-overs, no exceptions.

Children who score at the 90th percentile or above are guaranteed seats in a district g+t program, provided ALL district programs are listed on the child's application. For citywide programs -- including the two new programs planned for Brooklyn and Queens -- children must score at or above the 97th percentile, and there are NO guarantees of citywide placement, even for high-scorers. There is no sibling preference in place, either, unlike general-education programs at local schools. Test scores determine eligibility, and the order in which schools are ranked on your child's application determines placement.

All students who score at or above the 90th percentile are guaranteed seats in Kindergarten and first grade, Commitante said. If a surfeit of students qualify, the DOE will open new g+t programs to accommodate them; no inter-district enrollment will be permitted. Openings in grade 2 and beyond are scarce and sporadic; again, no guarantees.

There are also no wait lists. "We run this match one time only," she said. "All offers are final."

Watch the blog for an update (and answers to specific questions) later this morning.