FairProspects Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 What are the main benefits of this program? Is it something worth pursuing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenneinCA Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Benefits: E-lists with parents who get this type of kid Seminars with 'experts' Family Consultant to talk to about kids Annual Get-Together to see kids in person Cons: Cost of Testing Filling out Application Paperwork Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 How much does testing cost? Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenneinCA Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Cost of testing depends on where you get it done. You would need to look at the list of acceptable tests and then find someone to give them. It can range from nothing, if done by the public school system or a medical insurance company, to several thousand dollars if you have to pay out of pocket and go to a specialist. Current list of tests here: http://www.davidsongifted.org/youngscholars/Article/Davidson_Young_Scholars___Qualification_Criteria_384.aspx YS Criteria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairProspects Posted March 3, 2012 Author Share Posted March 3, 2012 So, supposing that the testing and qualification were a non-issue, have others found the support valuable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenneinCA Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quark Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 So, supposing that the testing and qualification were a non-issue, have others found the support valuable? My son really enjoyed one of the free week-long online seminars. I like the e-lists for parents that JenneinAZ referred to. My FC is not extremely knowledgeable about curriculum or such. Newer homeschoolers could find this a disadvantage. If you already stay up night after night researching resources for your kids and/ or if you already have a strong local support group, you may not find it as valuable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galtgrl Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 I agree with Jenne about the benefits, but wanted to add that a portfolio can be used instead of IQ testing. You would still need a standardized test from their list. All of that specific information can be found on the Davidson site. - Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tattarrattat Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 So, supposing that the testing and qualification were a non-issue, have others found the support valuable? If testing and qualification is non-issue, I think it'd be worth applying. With solid qualifying scores, filling out the application probably takes only a few days at most. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iucounu Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 We haven't used the mailing lists, etc. , just the family consultant. So far, in our specific situation, we don't feel that we have gotten a lot of benefit. The family consultants do not seem to function as advocates so much as information resources. Davidson also makes advocacy information available to help parents, but a lot of it is freely available. DYS seems to us to offer more to older children, and we're still glad to have it, though it's not exactly as we expected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staceyshoe Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 We are new to Davidson. I've read extensively about highly gifted children so I didn't expect it to be that helpful at this point (though I could see how we will really need the services in the future). Wow! I was blown away by our first phone call with our family consultant. He will be an incredible resource for us, even now. In the next few years, ds will be beyond what I can do for him in terms of instruction in some areas. I haven't found any local co-ops that will be a good fit at that point either. When we reach that point, I think DYS will help us know all of the options so we can weigh them. They can help us know when and how to do grade accelerations on paper, when and how to start college, tell us about advanced learning opportunities that aren't advertised to the general public, and (one of my greatest hopes for the program in future years) be able to help us connect ds with a science mentor. The beautiful thing about it is that they are just a resource. They present options. So often I feel like a pioneer cutting a new path through a wilderness. I know that many have been on this road before me, but I don't know them. It's isolating, and the decisions are overwhelming. It's invaluable to be able to talk with someone who has a great deal of experience in this area. Ds seems to be very well adjusted overall. I was surprised when I explained to him about DYS that he got tears in his eyes at the prospect of meeting other kids like himself. I thought he was feeling OK in that regard. Hopefully we'll be connecting with some local kids soon who would be true intellectual peers for ds. DYS is helping us to locate those kids also. I've heard mixed opinions about how helpful DYS is. Even though we're just getting started, I am realizing that it will be far more helpful than I had imagined. I know that isn't true for everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbara H Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 We haven't used the mailing lists, etc. , just the family consultant. So far, in our specific situation, we don't feel that we have gotten a lot of benefit. The family consultants do not seem to function as advocates so much as information resources. Davidson also makes advocacy information available to help parents, but a lot of it is freely available. DYS seems to us to offer more to older children, and we're still glad to have it, though it's not exactly as we expected. For us the best part has been the contact with the other families through e-lists and gatherings. In particular the homeschooling e-list is one we've found helpful over the years. Get togethers were not as important to us in the early years, but as kids get older for some kids this becomes a much higher priority. In addition to the large annual gathering, many parents put together regional events and if there isn't a lot going in in your region you could get that started. I have seen families who sort of skeptically went to one event and were totally floored by how helpful it was to meet other families. My overall take would be DYS is one of those experiences where some of it will depend on what you want to get out of it and what you want to put into it. It is a good resource for meeting people and getting support, but you have to seek it out. I wouldn't test for the sole purpose of getting into DYS, but if testing makes sense for other reasons or the child already has the scores I would definitely apply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 DD's tests were done too young/were the wrong tests, or both (they were designed, first, to make sure she wasn't autistic, and the 2nd time, to prove that she was ready to enter kindergarten, and neither focused on what DITD likes to see), so my plan is to wait until she's able to take the EXPLORE for talent search, and hopefully use that along with her prior portfolio and kill two birds with one stone. I don't think there would be enough benefit to her to be in DITD now vs waiting a year or two for her to be eligible for the EXPLORE to justify the expense of testing or the stress on her of being tested-but I can well see that she'd benefit from their programs when she's older and closer to the end of what we can easily provide at home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbara H Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 I don't think there would be enough benefit to her to be in DITD now vs waiting a year or two for her to be eligible for the EXPLORE to justify the expense of testing or the stress on her of being tested-but I can well see that she'd benefit from their programs when she's older and closer to the end of what we can easily provide at home. That sounds like a great plan. Good point to mention that EXPLORE, or later SAT or ACT, testing are much less expensive ways to get get acheivement testing done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tattarrattat Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 We haven't used the mailing lists, etc. , just the family consultant. We find the different eLists to be really helpful to us(the most helpful aspect of being in Davidson). Though one can get all sorts of information on your own, I've still learned a lot from the wisdom of other Davidson parents. I wouldn't even have come up with some of the questions myself to which they responded and felt their responses were very useful and relevant for our future use. If you don't mind receiving more emails(personally I don't think the email traffic from them to be heavy though), maybe consider to subscribe? I felt less isolated and more connected. About Family Consultant, we haven't found much benefit yet. But it's still good to know that someone is there if we need help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iucounu Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 If you don't mind receiving more emails(personally I don't think the email traffic from them to be heavy though), maybe consider to subscribe? I felt less isolated and more connected. For us the best part has been the contact with the other families through e-lists and gatherings... In addition to the large annual gathering, many parents put together regional events and if there isn't a lot going in in your region you could get that started. I have seen families who sort of skeptically went to one event and were totally floored by how helpful it was to meet other families. I will subscribe, and had that on my list of things to do already, but just hadn't gotten to it yet. I already get some helpful feedback from parents on the Davidson website, and figured it would just be more of the same. I'm afraid that going to regional gatherings would just drive home how much we're missing. Our main goals in joining the program were to 1) get help with advocacy, and 2) meet other DYS kids in DS6's age range and our geographic area. We sadly aren't located near enough to any so far to arrange play dates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truscifi Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 At what age are they eligible to take the Explore? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbara H Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 It is an 8th grade test so they are testing out of level. I don't believe there is a minimum age, just as there is not for the ACT or SAT but individual talent search organizations may have different limits. For out of level testing purposes it is most typically taken by third to sixth graders. The student would need to be able to be separate from parents and be able to follow instructions and concentrate for the length of the test. I believe testing is over for this year but students can register in the fall for next year. http://www.act.org/explore/ests/policies.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 At what age are they eligible to take the Explore? NUMATS tests in 3rd grade I think (we did it this year in 4th) Duke TIP has students sign up for TIP in 4th grade but only does Explore testing in 5th and 6th. I haven't investigated them, but I think C-Mites does Explore as early as 2nd grade. But that should give you some starts at googling :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 The DITD tests lists Explore starting at grade 3, so that's where I'm tentatively planning it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truscifi Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 NUMATS tests in 3rd grade I think (we did it this year in 4th)Duke TIP has students sign up for TIP in 4th grade but only does Explore testing in 5th and 6th. I haven't investigated them, but I think C-Mites does Explore as early as 2nd grade. But that should give you some starts at googling :) It did :), but I can't figure out who does testing in Florida. Ds will be 3rd grade next year, and I'd like him to take it if possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 It did :), but I can't figure out who does testing in Florida. Ds will be 3rd grade next year, and I'd like him to take it if possible. You can sign up with any testing program (sounds like Numats might be a fit for 3rd) but the issue is finding a testing site. You don't have to be within an area to sign up with a talent search. We're in the area for Duke's TIP, but we are also signed up with Johns Hopkins & Northwestern :) We'll be doing a CTY course in the fall (reading). Keep an eye on testing centers when they open up again. And maybe someone from Fla. will post if they know of locations in Florida. I think they didn't have our state's locations posted until September-ish last year.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quark Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 I have mentioned this before and apologize if it's repetitive. You might be able to have the test packet delivered to you by the Belin Blank Center if you live in another state or far away from a testing center. You will need to arrange for someone to proctor the test. It was a very pain free process for us. BB was okay with us testing our young 3rd grader (at the time). http://www.education.uiowa.edu/html/belinblank/talentsearch/ Go to the About Us link for the contact information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 C-MITES starts in 3rd grade and has no geographical restrictions. Some of the other talent searches do have geographical restrictions so definitely check with the individual programs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truscifi Posted March 5, 2012 Share Posted March 5, 2012 I will keep an eye on CMITES. Apparently they are done for this academic year. It looks promising for next year though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted March 5, 2012 Share Posted March 5, 2012 In our area, the Explore is only offered in Jan. and Feb. It looks like there's a Dec. test offered, but I don't know where that would be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeanM Posted March 5, 2012 Share Posted March 5, 2012 Benefits:E-lists with parents who get this type of kid Seminars with 'experts' Family Consultant to talk to about kids Annual Get-Together to see kids in person Cons: Cost of Testing Filling out Application Paperwork Do you know if there are multiple annual get-togethers, or if you'd have to travel really far to get to one? Also, do you know if you could attend a get-together as a family, or if ds2 who hasn't had testing yet would be excluded? I'm so glad I decided to read this thread, since I had thought about applying for Davidson years ago, but ds1 didn't have the right achievement testing done. He's taken the SAT now, and we could really use a consultant's help since we're having a lot of trouble deciding on his plans for high school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenneinCA Posted March 5, 2012 Share Posted March 5, 2012 There is one annual get-together. It is in a fixed location and you may need to travel far to get there. Many years ago there were multiple get togethers in different locations, but it isn't that way now. Your local community may have informal get-togethers as many times a year as they would like. My local group has them about every six weeks or so. We don't go to all of them. The big get-together, put on by Davidson, is very strict about not allowing siblings to go. It was a problem for us and we did not attend for many years due to that. The local get-togethers can set their own rules regarding attendance. Our group allows all siblings regardless of age or anything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeanM Posted March 5, 2012 Share Posted March 5, 2012 There is one annual get-together. It is in a fixed location and you may need to travel far to get there. Many years ago there were multiple get togethers in different locations, but it isn't that way now. Your local community may have informal get-togethers as many times a year as they would like. My local group has them about every six weeks or so. We don't go to all of them. The big get-together, put on by Davidson, is very strict about not allowing siblings to go. It was a problem for us and we did not attend for many years due to that. The local get-togethers can set their own rules regarding attendance. Our group allows all siblings regardless of age or anything else. Thanks for the info! It sounds like we wouldn't be able to do the big get-together unfortunately. I think the other benefits will be worthwhile though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LezliU Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 So glad to read all this! I have been thinking about seeing if DS could get into this... I think we'll give it a shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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