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CogAt/ITBS Testing Signup deadline September 29, 2021
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If you would like your student to participate in the face-to-face administration of the CogAt / ITBS assessment the week of October 12-15, 2021. More information on times and location of testing will be sent to the contact information provided in this survey. Please complete this form no later than September 29, 2021.

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Printable PDF of CogAt Virtual Letter
Printable PDF of ITBS Virtual Letter

COGAT LETTER:

Dear Parents:

Students in grades 2 and 4 will be administered the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) during the week of October 12-13, 2021. Testing time will be from 8:00 am-11 :00 am.Jf you would like for your students to take part in testing, please visit the Flat Shoals' homepage and click on the CogAT/ITBS link to register your child. The sign-up window will open September 22, 2021 and will close on September 29, 2021. These tests will be administered face-to-face to all students. Below is some information about the test and how you can help your child prepare.
CogAT Assessments for grades 2 and 4 provide opportunities for students to demonstrate their level and pattern of verbal, quantitative, and spatial (nonverbal) reasoning abilities. These abilities reflect the overall efficiency of cognitive processes and strategies that enable students to learn new tasks and solve problems. These abilities are closely related to a student's success in school. The resu Its allow teachers to plan effective instruction and adapt instruction in ways that enhance each student's chances for success in learning.
The three primary uses of CogAT scores are (1) to guide efforts to adapt instruction to the needs and abilities of students, (2) to provide a measure of cognitive development, and (3) to identify students whose predicted levels of achievement are markedly discrepant from their observed levels of achievement.
The first and most important use of CogAT is to help teachers adapt instructional goals, methods, and materials to the individual needs of students. The second use of CogAT is to provide a measure of each student's level of cognitive development that captures important information not represented in school grades or in other measures of school achievement. For example, CogAT scores help identify academically gifted students. The third use of CogAT scores is to identify students whose levels of academic achievement are substantially lower or higher than expected. Students whose achievement is below expectations should be checked for other problems such as learning disabilities, poor vision or hearing, the need for more assistance in completing school lessons, or the need for a different instructional program. On the other hand, students whose academic performance is better than would be expected from their CogAT scores should also be looked at more carefully. These students have learned well the specific skills taught in school but may be less successful in solving unfamiliar problems. Such students might profit from tasks that emphasize transfer and innovation.
There are several ways you can help your student prepare for these assessments.
A student who is well rested and well fed and has a positive attitude about testing is best prepared for testing. You can help your student do his or her best by considering these tips:
Make sure your student gets a good night's sleep and eats a healthy breakfast before each day of testing.
•    Remind your student that these tests are only one measure of what he or she has learned. Emphasize that you have confidence in his or her ability to do the best job possible.
•    Remind your student to listen to the directions and read each question carefully during testing. Encourage your student to ask the teacher for help if he or she does not understand the directions.
We ask on test day,that you ensure the following:
•    Student testing device is fully charged;
•    Student brings charger to school;
•    Student brings headphones/ear buds; and
•    Your student wears a mask. A mask will be provided if your child does not have one.

Thank you very much for encouraging and supporting your student during testing. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Assistant Principal Shaun Johnson [email protected] or at 770-483-5136.

Sincerely,
Shaun Johnson
Assistant Principal
Flat Shoals Elementary School



ITBS LETTER:


Dear Parents:

Students in grades 5 and 7 will be administered the IOWA Assessment during the week of October 12-15, 2021. Testing time will be from 8:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. If you would like for your students to take part in testing, please visit FSE's homepage and click on the CogAT / ITBS link to register your child. The sign-up window will open September 22, 2021 and will close on September 29, 2021. These tests will be administered faceĀ­-to-face for all students. Below is some information about the assessment and how you can help your child prepare.
IOWA Assessments for grades 5 and 7 are large-scale achievement tests that assess students' skills in reading, language, and mathematics. The tests assess both foundation skills and higher order thinking skills. Testing with the Iowa Assessments can provide information that can be used to improve instruction and student leaming.
The Iowa Assessment scores are used for a variety of educational purposes. Some of the primary uses are listed below:
•    To identify strengths and weaknesses in student performance - Make relative comparisons of student performance from one content area to another.
•    To inform instruction - Make decisions about past and future instructional strategies.
•    To measure performance in terms of core standards - Determine the degree to which students have acquired the essential skills and concepts of core standards.
•    To implement Response to Intervention (RTI) - Identify students at risk for poor learning outcomes who may benefit from intensive, systematic learning interventions.
•    To inform placement decisions - Place students into programs; assign students to different levels of a learning program. For example, the IOWA scores help identify academically gifted students.
•    To evaluate programs - Provide information that can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of curricular changes.
There are several ways you can help your student prepare for these assessments.
You can help your student do his or her best by considering these tips:
•    Make sure your student gets a good night's sleep and eats a healthy breakfast before each day of testing.
•    Remind your student that these tests are only one measure of what he or she has learned. Emphasize that you have confidence in his or her ability to do the best job possible.
•    Remind your student to listen to the directions and read each question carefully during testing. Encourage your student to ask the teacher for help if he or she does not understand the directions.
We ask on test day,that you ensure the following:
•    Student testing device is fully charged;
•    Studentbrings charger to school;
•    Student brings headphones/ear buds; and
•    Your student wears a mask. A mask will be provided if your child does not have one.

Thank you very much for encouraging and supporting your student during testing. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Assistant Principal Shaun Johnson [email protected] or at 770-483-5136.

Sincerely,
Shaun Johnson
Assistant Principal
Flat Shoals Elementary School