BESTS Home Page Myths & Facts Tests Guidelines Dates Fees How to Register Future BESTS For Educators For Florida Students History BESTS Canada ICN

BESTS Questions & Answers What is the relationship between U. of Iowa & U. of Calgary? The Connie Belin & Jacqueline N. Blank International Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development at The University of Iowa, in collaboration with the Centre for Gifted Education at the University of Calgary, will be conducting an academic talent search for fourth, fifth, and sixth graders in the Alberta provincial region. The academic talent search is called BESTS. What is BESTS? The Belin-Blank Exceptional Student Talent Search (BESTS) is a program initiated by the Belin-Blank Center in 1992. Over 50,000 students, grades 4-6, have participated in BESTS. Through initial studies, we have successfully identified talented elementary students and provided parents and educators with more specific information about the academic needs of talented elementary students. What is a talent search? The goal of a talent search is to identify, via above-level testing, students who need further educational challenge to fully realize their talent. Above-level testing is an educational procedure in which a test developed for older students is administered to younger students. The talent search model has been successfully implemented at the junior high level for 25 years. Why a talent search a the elementary school level? The talent search model for elementary students is an adaptation of the junior high model. Identifying students in the elementary grades is critical; without appropriate educational challenge, academically talented students may not fully develop their areas of talent. Which test is used in BESTS? Students registered for BESTS will take EXPLORE. EXPLORE is a multiple-choice test developed by ACT Inc. as a test for 8th graders. The EXPLORE test measures academic development in English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning. Each section takes 30 minutes to complete. The total time involved is approximately three hours (this includes testing and breaks). How have students done in BESTS? The students who have participated in BESTS have indicated that the experience was extremely positive. The selection criteria have been effective, and the students EXPLORE scores have been outstanding. The purpose of BESTS testing is to see how elementary students do on a test developed for 8th graders. Over 50% of the BESTS participants have scored higher than the average 8th grader. More extensive information about BESTS results is available through the Belin-Blank Center and the Centre for Gifted Education. Since 1999, over 700 students from Canada tested and their results were outstanding. What are the costs? There is a registration fee for BESTS, which covers the registration costs. In addition, there is a fee for the test. 2008 costs: (U.S. Currency) $30 BESTS Registration $25 EXPLORE   $55 Total Registration Fee What do the fees cover? Administrative costs associated with processing the registration, test materials, and scoring. A detailed interpretation of the students test performance. How will students benefit from BESTS? BESTS students become members of the UI Belin-Blank Center and the Centre for Gifted Education at the University of Calgary. Taking EXPLORE enables students to demonstrate unusual academic strengths by taking an academically challenging test that is not typically available to them in elementary school. Above-level testing information may be used to determine appropriate curriculum modifications and programming. How will families benefit from BESTS? Families will receive two score reports and a written interpretation of results. This interpretation will include recommendations for curriculum readiness. Families will be informed of programs and services available through the Centre for Gifted Education. Time and Place For Testing: When students register for BESTS they automatically register for the test. EXPLORE will be administered the morning of Saturday, February 23, 2008, at test site locations in Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, and Grande Prairie. In the event of inclement weather, the alternate test date will be Saturday, March 1, 2008 Who may I contact for more information? Centre for Gifted Education, The University of Calgary 170 Education Classroom Block, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4 (403) 220-7799 Fax: (403) 210-2068 http://gifted.ucalgary.ca Belin-Blank Center, The University of Iowa 210 Lindquist Center, Iowa City, IA 52242-1529 (319) 335-6148 Fax: (319) 335-5151 http://www.education.uiowa.edu/belinblank/ Register for BESTS-Canada online