Schools are often able to provide their own achievement and aptitude tests to assess individual students, but additional resources are available that connect students and their families to a vast network of programs and educational opportunities.

Simply offering the opportunities to parents is a way of providing valuable assistance.

Midwest Academic Talent Search (MATS) – This assessment service for gifted students is available through the Center for Talent Development (CTD) at Northwestern University. CTD has been serving gifted students since 1981. MATS is based on the philosophy that early and accurate assessment of exceptional academic abilities enables the development of appropriate and individualized curriculum. MATS provides this assessment for 3rd-9th grade students. Students qualify for MATS in the following ways: state test scores, achievement test scores, past talent search participation, qualifying for a school gifted program and nomination by parent or teacher. MATS is out-of-level testing and the instruments used are the ACT, SAT, and EXPLORE. These tests, when given out-of-level, can discern different levels of ability in many content areas and are, therefore, far better measures of the students’ intellectual abilities than the standardized in-grade achievement tests students typically take.

• Contact Information: phone – 847-491-3782, website – www.ctd.northwestern.edu/mats
• Individual students may register online. Schools have the option to register students as a group, which then provides them with the information on scores, curriculum options, and statistics. Families will receive student scores, score reports and explanations, curriculum guides and recommendations, statistical analysis, and information on programs for students (such as the Wisconsin Center for Academically Talented Youth’s programs). Students will continue to receive program information and scholarship opportunities through their graduation from high school.
• There is a fee for assessment (approximately $50). Financial aid is available. MATS is a legitimate, useful tool and the benefits do justify the costs.

Family Achievement Clinic – The mission of the Family Achievement Clinic is to provide psychological services to children, adolescents, and adults. Services address a wide range of developmental issues. Specialties include school underachievement, educational planning for gifted, school placement, social adjustment, and behavior and conduct. The staff is composed of licensed psychologists, school psychologists, and social workers, including Mike Cornale who has extensive experience in working with gifted students who struggle with underachievement.

• Phone: (Oconomowoc Office) – 262-567-4560, (Wauwatosa Office) – 414-771-7273; (Madison Office) – 608-274-6266
• Call for more information and the scope of services available to families. Services are available for children and adults.
• Dr. Sylvia Rimm initially founded the Family Achievement Clinic to assist children in the areas of giftedness and creativity.