Northwestern University Midwest Academic Talent Search (NUMATS)

1
Northwestern UniversityMidwest Academic Talent
Search (NUMATS)
Kitty Ver Kuilen District Coordinator of Gifted
Talented Services Cindy Clark, GT Resource
Teacher, MHS IMMS Lisa Nyenhuis, GT Resource
Teacher, WIS Heather Hanson, GT Resource
Teacher, CE/MPS
2
Outline for this Presentation

• What is NUMATS?
• How your Child qualified for participation
• Benefits of participation
• Which test?
• Timeline
• Test Day Tips
• Parent Role
• Questions?

3
What is Northwestern University Midwest Academic
Talent Search (NUMATS)?

• Out-of-level testing
• Occurs on Saturdays off-site
• Students in grades 3-9
• Explore, ACT, SAT
• Sponsored by Northwestern Universitys Center for
  Talent Development (CTD)
• WCATY connection

4
How to Qualify for NUMATS

• Top 5 on WKCE of MAP subtests
• Participation in GT programming
• Teacher/Parent Nomination
• 4 years of eligibility

5
BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION

• Provides an additional snapshot
• ACT/SAT I Practice
• EXPLORE Practice
• Opens opportunities outside the school setting
• Some state/nationwide programs have score
  requirements

6
Participation is voluntaryBUT this information
is VERY helpful in identifying your childs
strengths and educational needs
7
Identification Process

• The information from CTD provides one more piece
  of information to help in identifying the
  academic strengths of your child
• AND the academic needs your child exhibits

8
The Bell Curve
Top 95th Percentile Rankings
?Entire Population
9
Which test to take?

• EXPLORE
• 3rd grade 97th
• 4th grade
• 5th grade
• 6th grade

• SAT or ACT
• 6th grade 97th
• 7th grade
• 8th grade
• 9th grade ACT

10
ACT OR SAT??

• ACT includes four subtests
• Reading, English, Math Science Reasoning
• SAT 3 Verbal, 3 Math subtests Writing subtest
• Practice for PSAT
• ACT test for UW System and neighboring
  universities
• SAT test for coastal universities and Private
  schools
• Test Prep www.ACT.org and www.collegeboard.com
  
• ? Check university websites

11
Timeline

• October Registration
• January February Testing
• March Test results sent to parents
• April Follow-up materials sent to parents to
  help you interpret results
• MAY SCHOOL GETS RESULTS

12
Registration materials available at the Middle
and Intermediate School Offices Resource
RoomsOR Register online www.ctd.northwestern.ed
u/
13
Test Day Tips

• Practice Test
• What does Out-of-Level mean? This is a hard
  test for their age but they qualify for the
  challenge
• Good nights rest
• Good breakfast
• Be relaxed? This is for fun experience. Its
  NOT about the score
• Celebrate afterwards

14
Parents Role

• You are your childs best advocate
• The school and parents are partners in providing
  what is best for every child
• Be informed of opportunities
• Take advantage of opportunities both in and
  outside of school.

15
Resources for Questions

• McFarland GT Program Website http//www.mcfarland.
  k12.wi.us/msd/parents/fp_gt.php
• Monthly E-Newsletter
• Kitty Ver Kuilen 5449
• Cindy Clark 4876
• Lisa Nyenhuis 5460
• Heather Hanson 5616