What is the Advanced Language Arts program?  This is a new program that will offer more challenging, above-grade level language arts activities to students who are ready for this kind of challenge.

How is the Advanced Language Arts program different from the Standard LA program?  The program will move at a faster pace than the standard LA program.  Students will be expected to read more literature, and the literature will be above grade level.  Students will also work from a very challenging vocabulary program. 

What data is used to determine whether or not my child qualifies for this program?  There will be 5 data points to determine if a child qualifies for the ALA program:  Fall Reading MAP scores, Spring MAP scores, Verbal CogAT by age, Verbal CogAT by grade, and a teacher-scored written reading response.

What is the CogAT? The CogAT is short for the Cognitive Abilities Test.  The verbal CogAT is a group-administered measure of verbal aptitude.  It assesses a student’s ability to reason through verbal problem solving.   Your child took the verbal CogAT test in April (current 5^th grade) or May (current 6^th and 7^th graders).  If you’d like more detailed information on the CogAT, please go to:  www.cogat.com

Is the Advanced LA program a “gifted” program?  No.  Most “gifted” programs include only 2-5% of the student population.  This is an “advanced” program.  We will identify 15-20% of students.

How many students will be in the Advanced Language Arts program?  We anticipate that, like the Advanced Math Program, we will have about 15-20% of our students who qualify for this program.

If my child is in the Advanced Math program, will they automatically qualify for the Advanced LA program?  No.  These are separate programs and separate data is used to qualify for each program.

When will I find out if my child qualifies for this program?  Parents will be notified by letter by July 1^st if their child qualifies for this program. 

What if my child doesn’t qualify?  Can s/he be reconsidered at another time?  Yes.  A parent or teacher can request that a child be reconsidered for the program after one year has elapsed. 

I still have more questions, who should I call?  Please contact Dr. Matt Silverman, Director of Curriculum and Instruction at #847-297-4120 or Mr. Keir Rogers, Principal of River Trails Middle School at #847-298-1750.