Have Parents Been Buying Kids' Way into Gifted Student Program?

Warren schools will no longer use the Screening Assessment for Gifted Elementary Students test to determine which students are prepared for accelerated studies—because some parents have been purchasing the test ahead of assessments to prep students.

Warren Township Superintendent Tami Crader made the announcement at the June 25 meeting, recommending the board instead use a test known as the "Cognitive Abilities Test" or CogAT.

Dr. Crader recommended the change after discovering the publisher of the SAGES test sells the test to the public—and some parents have apparently purchased copies in hopes of helping their kids get into the district's REACH program.

"Our REACH teachers...have used SAGES for years, but SAGES is now dated, the norms are dated—and it's also been compromised," Dr. Crader said. "Parents have figured out a way to buy the SAGES—SAGES will sell them the test."

Board members and parents in the audience were stunned at the news.

Board member Tia Allocco asked if Dr. Crader verified the company sells the test, which Dr. Crader was checked and is correct, although she couldn't say why the company would do it.

"Those parents are going to be ticked," Board member Roberta Monahan said. "I hope they spent a lot of money on it."