October 28, 2020
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Each year, all Ross A. Lurgio Middle School students in Grade 7 take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT). The CogAT assesses the level and pattern of cognitive development of students. The test measures general and specific reasoning abilities in three domains: verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal. These general abilities reflect the overall efficiency of cognitive processes and strategies that enable individuals to learn new tasks or to solve problems.
The results of these tests will be used by teachers to adapt instruction in ways that enhance student’s success in learning. Data gathered from these assessments will be included as one aspect of the multiple measures which help the staff make decisions regarding your child’s instructional needs.
Due to the pandemic, your student is scheduled to take the CogAT at home on a distance learning day during the first two weeks in November. Your child’s homeroom teacher will share the exact schedule. Ms. Rockwell, the enrichment coordinator, Mrs. Dennis, the technology coordinator, Mrs. Manley, the technology assistant, will be in charge of supporting students while they are taking their online assessment. Email updates will be sent next week with specific testing times and procedures.
You can help ensure accurate results of this diagnostic by doing the following:
- Your student is the only person who takes the assessment.
- No one else in the home views the assessment.
- No one assists your student during the assessment, and your student does not access any assistive technology (e.g. the internet)
- You create a quiet space for your student for an ideal testing environment.
Please also understand that all test content is secure and confidential. The test instructions, items, practice items, and answers must all remain as such. Photographs, photocopies, screen captures, verbal discussions, written comments, or other reproduction of any portion of the assessment are not permitted at any time. Engaging in any of the above activities is a breach of copyright.
If you would prefer that your student not participate in the CogAT, please contact your child’s homeroom teacher and let him/her know that you would like to excuse your student from the CogAT.
We appreciate your ongoing support. If you have any questions regarding the information in this letter please feel free to contact your child’s homeroom teacher.
Sincerely,
Ed Joyce, Principal
