CogAT Test
The CogAT is a national standardized aptitude test comprise of 3 components: Quantitative, Nonverbal and Verbal. It measures a student's learned reasoning and problem solving abilities.
The QN CogAT is a composite of the quantitative and nonverbal components.
CogAT Score Distribution
For the 2023 cohort, QN CogAT scores were distributed as shown in the chart below.
We are very fortunate! We have A LOT of students with incredible aptitude. In 2023, 110 students or 49% of the class had over a 90th percentile on the CogAT. Still Manhasset only offers advanced math to 56 students and therefore, must design a policy and rubric to eliminate deserving students.
With so many high aptitude students, why limit advanced math to 56 spots?
Because that equates to one class at Munsey and one class at Shelter, each with 28 students. The district has class size guidelines of 26 for grade 6. The union contract that says that class size can not exceed 29. Rather than tailoring the program to fit the student population, we tailor a rubric to allow for one class in each elementary. This occurs despite having 4-6 math specialists in the district. This fails to meet the needs of the students and introduces inequity across elementaries.
Arbitrary CogAT Threshold
The stated policy is that 98th percentile on the QN CogAT is required to be invited into the advanced math selection process.
A CogAT threshold is arbitrary.
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Since the new selection process was implemented, the district has disregarded that threshold 2 out of 3 times. See the chart below.
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25% of those at the 97th percentile were admitted in 2023. They were almost unfairly eliminated because of the arbitrary 98th percentile policy.
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How many were unfairly denied access because they didn't lower the threshold to 96th percentile?
Different Test Dates for Different CogAT Groups
In 2023, the threshold was lowered to 97th percentile AFTER the secure exam was administered to those who did score in the 98th percentile and above. See source document here.
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Those with the 98th percentile and up were contacted and given the exam on a Thursday.
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Those with the 97th percentile were invited thereafter to take the test the following Monday.
Unfortunately, students from the first cohort shared test questions and topics via text so that those students who were not even supposed to be in the process had an advantage.
Why is 98th percentile on QN CogAT the threshold?
It shouldn't be! It's arbitrary. Before 2020, there was no CogAT threshold. All students were considered based on a combination of aptitude and content test scores.. We should let all interested students take the secure exam to see if they can score well enough for advanced math participation.
CogAT Scoring Issue Ignored
The CogAT is measured comparing a student to others his/her age and grade.
Older students in the class often have higher grade-based scores compared age-based scores. Due to varying enrollment cut off dates across districts, when using the age-based CogAT, the older students in our 5th grade are being compared to students in the 6th grade in other schools (with one additional year of schooling) so their scores age-based score is lower than their grade-based score.
Manhasset relies on only the age score when applying the CogAT cutoff.
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This does not align with a grade level placement decision.
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This disadvantages the older students who have higher grade-based scores than age-based scores.
There are multiple ways to manage this issue:
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Use the max of a student's score (grade or age)
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Remove the CogAT cut off entirely (as was done prior to 2020) and allow all students to take the secure exam
The district ignores the age-based vs. grade-based score issue and knowingly disadvantages the older students in the class.
Please contact Lauren Tallarine at lauren_tallarine@manhassetschools.org or the Board of Education at boe@manhassetschools.org if you have concerns.
Sources
Data shown on this site came from Freedom of Information Law requests (FOIL) requests made between August 2023 and January 2024. Sources for the information are provided below by clicking on orange label below.
If you would like to see additional sources not shown here, please email us at manhassetmath@gmail.com