The Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY) recently announced that it will no longer endorse the modified WPPSI-IV (also referred to as the ECAA) test for Kindergarten and 1st Grade admissions once it’s current contract with the Educational Records Bureau (ERB) ends in spring 2014. You can read a full explanation of this decision on our blog here.
The ERB uses an adapted version of the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence IV (WPPSI-IV) as the Early Childhood Admission Assessment (ECAA). Yesterday, the Horace Mann School announced that it will continue to require the ECAA for Kindergarten and First Grade applicants. Contrary to the ISAAGNY, Horace Mann School, as well as other schools, continue to believe in the usefulness of the ECAA/ERB because it allows them to put all of their applicants through a standardized, psychometrically valid measure of general intelligence. ISAAGNY is expected to make an announcement in the next couple of months regarding a new test, likely to given via an iPad or other tablet device. Given that any new test would also be open to test preparation, it is likely that other competitive, academically rigorous schools will continue to use the ECAA or give a similar modified IQ test themselves as part of the admissions process.
While ISAAGNY decides how to proceed, Aristotle Circle will continue to prepare children for the ECAA and a host of other standardized IQ and achievement tests. Once a decision is reached, we will be prepared for whatever form of evaluation ISAAGNY decides to move forward with. In the meantime, we currently have the materials and tutors to properly prepare children no matter which test they will be taking as there are numerous similarities across tests for young children.
Contact us or call 1.800.467.0895 with any concerns or questions.