WRAT Test Results - Feeling Helpless

[Singlemum1980]

I have had some issues with my sons school. Despite him being the youngest in the year being born at the end of August he is one of the brightest in year one. He is very bored repeating things he's known for over a year which is leading him to become disengaged, even often asking the teacher if he can learn something new. Reading has been a huge issue and in order to appease me they conducted a WRAT test. I believed part of the reason was to prove 'me wrong' like I was exaggerating his abilities. Anyway, none of us expected the results that actually came back. The school even saying they have never had results like it. The results came in about 6 weeks ago and the only change they have made is moving him on to free reading. One of the teachers even suggested I shouldn't worry as if they're bright they'll always be bright. What should I be expecting the school to do with these results? Should they be putting things in place for him? I just want him to be happy, engaged and challenged at school!! Any advice would be helpful thank you.

(you haven't said what the results were, presumably exceptionally good?)

Most children never get tested so it is n't surprising that they say the results are unusual. Presumably you are arguing for g & t but that can be pretty meaningless. What did you expect to happen ? The teacher is differentiating by offering free reading but ime that isn't unusual. You may also find his reading is ahead of the comprehension and inferring skills, so that needs reinforcement.

I don't know what is WRAT test is, but being highly able at reading is quite easy to accommodate at home without much help from school. At least he doesn't need to read banded books anymore. My ds was way ahead in reading, and school almost left him to it for whole ks1, but it didn't stop him progressing. We regularly went to library, bought books, done some comprehension online.

www.readtheory.org/

And for maths:

www.khanacademy.org/

nrich.maths.org/frontpage

wild.maths.org/

Wide Range Achievement Test tests word reading, comprehension, spelling and maths.

Sorry TeenandTween that would of been helpful wouldn't it. Word reading, comprehension and spelling all Superior (99.6 and 99.7 percentile) and Maths >Superior (99.8 percentile).

LIZS I don't need to argue for G&T, they put him on that over 6mths ago, although other than ticking a box on a screen I fail to see what difference it has made. Reading isn't the only problem, it was one of my many complaints. His boredom and disengagement is my main issue. I worry he will loose his thirst for learning. I'm picking up what I can at home but feel they're happy to let him coast through KS1 as it's one less child to worry about.

Have you posted on G & T section?
There are more parents/teachers/children with similar situation.

Thank you irvine101 I'm new to the site and didn't realise there was a G&T section, I'll have a look now 😀.

What were the results?

sorry just seen your post above - it wasn't highlighted.
They are outstanding scores.
Perhaps there are posters on the g&t boards who could make suggestions that you could approach the school with.

OP we had exactly same issue. One of the best thing I ever did was to hire a university student to do educational activities akin to home schooling several times a week after school so my DS had a rich educational life to enjoy outside of the boring school curriculum. Encourage DS to read more challenging books, play lots of games, visit the museums, galleries, attend writing, maths, science, drama and sport clubs after school. Tomorrow's Achievers' courses are an excellent way for your DS to meet like minded children. G&T children are often a nuisance for teachers who have to teach to the mean ability or focus on the stragglers in the class. Try to do as much as you can outside of school. It will get easier as your DS gets older because he will be able to participate in more varied activities. Your DS has the capacity to learn a lot from his own reading e.g. Aquila magazine, Horrible Histories, Murderous Maths, etc. ... Enjoy.

Thanks you so much momv2 that's a great help, especially the recommendations! I fear I'm going to be continuing to plug the gaps at home for some time to come!