Understanding your child’s OLSAT results

Marge Mulcahy, Gifted Coordinator for Dublin City Schools, mulcahy_marge@dublinschools.net

April 2018

What is the OLSAT 8?

This ability assessment, the OTIS LENNON School Ability Test 8th edition, is a nationally normed standardized assessment that tests a student’s academic ability. It is not a subject specific achievement test.

Scores on this test can range from 60 to 150.

Average scores fall from 90 to 110.

Based upon the Ohio Department of Education (ODE), a school ability assessment score that is two standard deviations above the mean minus the standard error of measure results in a gifted identification in the area of superior cognitive abilities.

What is the OLSAT 8?

A score of 126 or higher on the OLSAT 8 qualifies a student as gifted in the area of superior cognitive ability.

Students who earn a score of 125 will have the opportunity to participate in additional testing this spring for gifted identification based upon ODE requirements.

The OLSAT is administered to 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade students within Dublin City Schools. It is used for gifted identification testing but is also additional information for classroom teachers and building administrators as it relates to your child’s learning.

OLSAT School Ability Test

Which score is used for gifted identification purposes?

School Abilities Index (SAI) on the OLSAT

For 2nd grade: This score is the Total SAI as indicated on the example from the letter

For 3rd and 4th grade - This score is located on the lower portion of the report -example:

The School Ability Index gives a score that is a general indicator of academic ability, although it is not an intelligence test. The School Abilities Index (SAI) on the OLSAT has a mean of 100, a standard deviation of 16, standard error or measure of 6.0. SAI scores range from 50 to 150. In Ohio students with a SAI score of 126 or higher on the OLSAT are identified as gifted in the area of superior cognitive abilities.

In Dublin City Schools, cognitively gifted students qualify for gifted service which begins in fourth grade.

Percentile score

What is a national percentile rank?

The national percentile rank scores compare the achievement of students with a representative sample of students from across the nation. The national percentile rank of a score indicates the percentage of scores less than or equal to that score. Percentile ranks range from 1 to 99. For example, if a student scores at the 65th percentile rank, it means that he or she performed as well as or better on the assessment than 65 percent of the norm group. Note that the percentile rank does not refer to the percentage of items

answered correctly.

For gifted identification in Ohio, school ability assessments are normed by age NOT the grade level of a student.

2nd grade student report – SAI score Total is the score used

for gifted ID. In this sample report, the SAI total is 114.

OLSAT normal curve distribution as seen on the 3rd and 4th grade report

Example of score report normal curve distributionThe diamond shape represents your child’s SAI score and where it falls within the normal curve distribution

OLSAT student score reportStudents who earn a score at or above 126 on this assessment meet the Ohio Department of Education criteria for gifted identification in the area of superior cognitive abilitiesCog pullout gifted service begins in 4th gradeAny student who earns a gifted identification in this area qualifies for Cog Pullout in 4th and 5th gradeIn Ohio, gifted identification remains with a student. A student does not have to retest into the gifted range year after year. Once identified gifted, always gifted in Ohio for grades Kindergarten through senior year of high school

Testing FAQ’s:Is there an opportunity for my child to take another cognitive ability assessment? YES, each year we will test all 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade students. Also, we have the fall referral for gifted ID testing process. You may refer your child August 13 – September 3 for testing in early September. A google form will be available on the district gifted services website. Cog pullout will begin after this fall testing.

Should my student be referred for this testing? Any student may be referred but it is our recommendation that you take into consideration the best interests of the child. Does testing cause anxiety for your child? Will an assessment score below the gifted ID range cause self-doubt your learner? The intent for referral testing is to afford further opportunity for gifted identification for truly high ability students to meet the criteria established by the Ohio Department of Education.

Can a student be identified as gifted in math or reading and NOT gifted in cognitive abilities? Dublin City Schools has a high percentage of academically gifted students who are not gifted identified in superior cognitive abilities. High academic achievement does not equate to superior cognitive ability.

If you have further questions -

Contact Gifted Services Coordinator or

GISCommunicate with the Gifted Intervention Specialist (GIS) at your child’s school:

The GIS’s for 2017-18 at each of our elementary schools are:

* Bailey Elementary School – Joyce Christman *Pinney Elementary School – Charlotte Jones

* Chapman Elementary School – Martha Scherpelz *Riverside Elementary School – Linda Gayle

* Deer Run Elementary School – Michael McNeil *Scottish Corners Elementary – Dionne Spenthoff

* Glacier Ridge Elementary School – Michelle Gdovin and Erica Kelley *Thomas Elementary School – Katie Smith

* Indian Run Elementary School – Keri Templeton *Wright Elementary School – Linda Gayle

* Olde Sawmill Elementary School – Martha Scherpelz *Wyandot Elementary School – Sarah Alexander