Private schools are questioning the use of IQ or E.R.B. tests as kindergarten admissions criteria because test preparation has become so widespread. That, according to an article in the New York Times today - "Private School Screening Test Loses Some Clout." Companies like Aristotle Circle, that charge $375 for an E.R.B. assessment and $499 for a prep workbook, were cited as culprits in this phenomenon. Trying to give your child an edge in the school admissions game is nothing new. In another life, I used to assess kids for E.R.B. and Stanford-Binet testing, then tutor them until they were ready (although I did it for a lot less money). Even with this controversy, tests are about the only objective measure that schools can use to compare applicants, so they aren't likely to go away soon.
Unfortunately, the fact that so many kids are being prepped for tests puts pressure on all parents to do the same. If everyone is doing it and you don't, you will be putting your child at a disadvantage. In the same article, long-time educational consultant, Emily Glickman, is quoted as saying that despite schools' warnings, "people are mostly prepping in one way or another because chance of discovery is minimal whereas chance of rejection due to low scores is almost certain."
It is a pain (and downright stupid - just read NurtureShock, by Po Bronson and Ashley Merriman) that schools rely on these tests to determine whether or not a child is a "fit" for their school. But rely on them they do and we, as parents, must respond accordingly. How? First, we have to find out what our kids should know or be able to do when tested. Second, we have to make sure our kids know what they are supposed to know and are able to do what they are supposed to be able to do when they are tested. Third, we have to do this without pressuring our children, making ourselves nuts, and spending a fortune. I don't know about you, but this is definitely not what I signed up for when I first thought about having children.
The only way to give every child a fair shot for a seat at the most competitive schools is for all parents, rich and poor, to have access to the same information about how to do well on the tests their child will be given for admissions or gifted program qualification. Here are sites where you can get free information on three of the most common tests kids are given:
The Educational Records Bureau web site - free information on the The Weschler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence III™ (WPPSI-III)
The New York City Gifted and Talented Program web site - free information on The Otis-Lennon School Ability Test™ (OLSAT)
Free Study Guide for the Bracken Basic Concept Scale (BBCS) - free information on activities you can do with your child to prepare him for the BBCS
My book, Testing For Kindergarten, will be released in July. For under $15, you will be able to get more information than you probably ever wanted to know about what is on the six most common IQ tests used for school admission or gifted program qualification, what is on school readiness tests for public school ability group placement, and how you can prepare your child for these exams in fun, natural, playful ways. You will also be able to check the book out from your local library for free if you like.
I am not against preparing children for testing because I know that kids need to have the same abilities to do well on tests as they need to do well in kindergarten. Prepare a child for testing and you have prepared him to excel in school. Make sure your child's abilities in these areas are strong: language, knowledge/comprehension, memory, math, visual-spatial, cognitive, and fine-motor skills. With all this test prep taking place, it is possible that your school of choice may change the tests they require your child to take just make it harder to prepare. If your child has these underlying abilities in place, he will do well on any test he takes, even if it isn't the test you expected.
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