What factors do school administrators consider when determining whether a child is a good candidate?
First and foremost, they want to be able to answer the following questions with a resounding “YES”: “Is our school the school that can best serve this child’s needs and talents?” “Will the student be a highly contributing member of this community?” Evaluative testing is considered in two ways. First, testing allows a school to compare a student against minimum benchmarks for success in their program. Second, test scores allow for a comparison against other candidates. Past academic performance, actual grades showing how the child has done in school, is considered. This factor is probably more important than testing. Implicit in a child’s past performance are his or her academic characteristics, whether or not the student applies himself or herself, and the child’s work habits. Further, schools may require recommendations from past teachers. Most schools will also require some form of interview or observation. Preschool and kindergarten applicants are often evaluated in small groups. Ol
