How is the Vanguard HISD G&T Test Scored?

Entering Kindergarten*

For your child to be qualified for the Vanguard G/T program entering Kindergarten, he or she should receive a Matrix score that totals 68 points or above. That score is a sum of the following tests and points.

Achievement Test: Woodcock-Johnson III Test of Achievement

Your child will be given a point of 0-7, based on the percentile achieved, on a scale of 0-100% for each of the following areas. Then all of these numbers are added together to form the achievement test portion of the matrix score.

• Letter Word Identification 
• Applied Problems
• Word Attack
• Picture Vocabulary
• Quantitative Concepts
• Academic Knowledge

Ability Test: Wechsler Nonverbal Scale of Ability

Your child will be given a point of 0-42, based on the percentile achieved, on a scale of 0-100% for the ability test. This forms the ability test portion of the matrix score.

Parent Recommendation

Your child will be given a point of 0-16, based on the score the parent gives on a scale of 0-100. This forms the parent recommendation portion of the matrix score.

Obstacle Points

Check the applicable obstacles: limited English proficient, special education/504 and low SES. If your child has one or more, they receive 5 points. Also, if they qualify with a low SES and are minorities (Hispanic or African American), they will receive three additional points.

All of the above (Achievement test, Ability test, Parent recommendation and Obstacle points) are added to form the Identification Matrix score.

To be coded “G/T” on the District report, the student must have an Identification Matrix score that meets the following criteria:

Total profile sheet score of 68 points or above which includes the following:

• Ability score
• Achievement score
• Parent Recommendation
• Obstacles (if applicable)

Kindergarten for Spring Services and Entering 1st – 12th Grade*

For your child to be qualified for the Vanguard G/T program Kindergarten for Spring services and entering 1st – 12th Grade, he or she should do EITHER of the following:

•  Receive a Matrix score that totals 62 points or above. That score is a sum of the following tests and points: Ability score (age based NAI score), Achievement score (national percentile score), Grades, Teacher Recommendation and Obstacles (if applicable).
• Have a total Identification Matrix score of 56-61 points (from the tests and points listed in #1) AND meets the following test criteria: Stanford/Aprenda Achievement score that totals 16 points or above AND NNAT-2 score that totals 10 points or above.

Achievement Test: Stanford, Aprenda, Other

Your child will be given a point of 4-12, based on the percentile achieved, on a scale of 0-100% for Math NPR and Reading NPR.

Your child will be given a point of 1-8, based on the percentile achieved, on a scale of 0-100% for Science NPR and Social Studies NPR.

For K-Grade 3, your child will be given a point of 2-16, based on the percentile achieved, on a scale of 0-100% for Total Environment NPR.

Then all of these numbers are added together to form the achievement test portion of the matrix score.

Ability Test: Naglieri Nonverbal Abilities Test-2 (NNAT-2)

Your child will be given a point of 5-30, based on the Naglieri Ability Index. (NAI) score of 100-160 for the ability test. This forms the ability test portion of the matrix score.

Report Card

Your child will be given a point of 5-20, based on report card points (Report Card points are calculated in percentages 0-100% using the 4 core subject areas of English/Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies. ). This forms the report card portion of the matrix score.

Teacher Recommendation

Your child will be given a point of 4-10, based on the score the teacher gives on a scale of 0-100. Teacher Recommendation scores are calculated using G/T Identification Matrix. This forms the teacher recommendation portion of the matrix score.

Obstacle Points

Check the applicable obstacles: limited English proficient, special education/504 and low SES. If your child has one or more, they receive 5 points. Also, if they qualify with a low SES and are minorities (Hispanic or African American), they will receive three additional points.

All of the above (Achievement test, Ability test, Report Card, Teacher recommendation and Obstacle points) are added to form the Identification Matrix score.

If your child qualifies as G/T on the Identification Matrix, but is not accepted or gets a space in a Vanguard Magnet program, your child will carry his G/T Identification to any HISD Kindergarten. Parents will be responsible for notifying the school of their child’s G/T identification by taking the G/T Identification Matrix to the school at the time of enrollment.

*Taken from 2011 – 2012 HISD Advanced Academics Department

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