This brief list offers some common characteristcis of highly intelligent young people. Please keep in mind that this list is not comprehensive in that each young person has individual traits and interests. ...
This article discusses the identification of the characteristics of the gifted math student, how school districts comply with the child’s needs, and how teachers can learn the importance of differentiation of instruction. ...
This article summarizes a variety of views on why and when to seek an assessment, as well as the utility of different types of tests. Questions for parents to consider in the process of making such decisions are listed. Links to additional articles on assessment and its implications for educational advocacy and planning are also included. In addition, links to information on the most recent versions of the popular individually administered tests are provided. ...
This article by Julia Osborn distinguishes between "testing" and "assessment." The author then focuses on some of the important and unique issues involved when assessing gifted children's cognitive, academic, and social/emotional functioning. This short article is one of the definitive articles in the field on the assessment of gifted children. ...
This writing is an introduction to a series of three articles by Dr. Julia Osborn in which she examines the processes that parents go through as they raise their profoundly gifted child. First parents try to understand the exceptionality of their child by having the child assessed. Then parents go through the process of grasping the educational issues as they plan for their child's education. And finally the parent must deal with the challenge of being an advocate for their child to see that the child's educational needs are met. ...
This article by Camilla Benbow and Lola Minor states in its abstract: "Performance on tests of specific abilities commonly associated with intelligence was contrasted between 13-year-olds identified as extremely precocious (top 1 in 10,000) in either verbal or mathematical reasoning ability. Such students differ cognitively. Verbally precocious students scored higher on verbal and general knowledge types of tests, and mathematically precocious students scored higher on tests of nonverbal reasoning, spatial ability, and memory. Results from the ...
This article by Jan Hansen discusses the history and methods of above-level testing. The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is a test commonly used for above-level testing because it gives specific information regarding levels of individuals' talents. Other tests that are used for above-level testing are administered by the Advanced Placement Program (AP), the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. The article also includes guidelines for using above-level testing. ...
This article explains how one school district worked to best identify its under-represented gifted students. ...
This article by Julia Osborn defines who gifted children are. Starting from that point, she identifies the special education needs of those children and what needs to be done to support them effectively. It provides recommendations for identification and program planning for gifted children as well as the special needs of these children. ...
This article by Jaime Castellano takes a look at who is assessing gifted education programs and sees race as a divisive factor in the classroom. Distinctions within the hispanic gifted population, such as gender and bilingualism, is discussed. With this in mind, the author looks at how assessment and evaluation could be improved in order to identify these gifted students, as well as find appropriate educational placement. ...
This article by James Borland argues that despite limitations and abuse, IQ tests should play a significant role in programs for gifted students. Substance of the Lippmann Terman debates of the 1920's is examined, followed by acknowledgement of major limitations of IQ tests and discussion of rationales for special programs for the gifted. Argument is made for use of IQ tests in an informed manner. ...
This article is a book chapter by Ann Lupkowski-Shoplik, Micheal Sayler and Susan Assouline. It reveals information discovered when testing students in both conceptual and computational mathematics. Students scored higher on the conceptual tests. The chapter suggests that students are bored with the rote computational mathematics that are taught in the traditional classroom and so they speed through them and make mistakes. It states that talented children are ready for a higher level of computational math and a much higher level of conceptual m ...
This article describes how to observe, reflect, and respond to hidden potential in children. ...
This article by Ulric Neisser explores the controversial topic of test scores rising through time. It is a fact that IQ test scores have risen considerably through the years, but the reasons for these changes are uncertain. Some argue that it is because people now have bigger brains and are thus more intelligent. Others argue that television, education factors, nutrition, etc. have played an important role in this issue. Many different possible factors are explored in this article which also explains the facts of the tests and the scores being ...
This article by Barbara Kerr and Nicholas Colangelo is a follow-up look at minority students who performed well on the ACT. These students buck the national trend for low performance among minorities. The authors emphasize that these students should not be overlooked just because of their small numbers, despite the attention given to minority students who are historically underrepresented in the highest percentiles on standardized tests. ...
This article by Nancy Robinson states her case for why she thinks the Stanford-Binet IV is the best current test for intelligence assessment. Though, she admits that there is still work to be done to improve it. (NOTE: This article pre-dates the publication of the Stanford-Binet V, which replaced the SB-IV.) ...
This article by Joyce VanTassel-Baska covers the problems schools face in trying to identify gifted students. Some of the issues are discussed and best practices, according to research, are explained. The author advocates above-level assessments to avoid the ceiling effect and provide better differentiation among those identified as gifted. ...
This article examines the pros and cons of timed tests in intelligence testing. Many times, taking speed into account is an unfair practice and does not realistically portray intelligence levels in all young people. Some profoundly gifted young people are very deliberate and must think things through before they act, thus making them slower, but not less intelligent than someone who does not react in this manner. The article also suggests that if bonus points are given for speed, the person taking the test should be made aware of this fact. Aut ...
This article by Joyce VanTassel-Baska describes the advantages of the "Talent Search Identification Model" for gifted student identification. The widely used model employs standardized achievement tests to identify junior high students. Recommendations are offered for students scoring within specified ranges on the Scholastic Aptitude Test. ...
This article by Wendy Townsend describes her experiences of the "problems and joys" of raising a profoundly gifted son. The challenges of determining his level of intelligence, finding the best schooling option, coping with his behavioral problems and isolation are covered. Townsend also looks back at their progress and offers her hindsight on "what they should have done." ...
This research article discusses the abilities and behaviors of mathematically gifted children. The authors' findings can help reveal how parents can identify young children who are advanced in mathematical reasoning. ...
Source: Davidson Young Scholar Seminar
Dr. Edward R. Amend delivers a valuable Q & A article related to gifted assessment. ...
BOOK REVIEW (Davidson Institute) - Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children and Adults addresses the development issues and implications of misunderstanding gifted young people and adults. The authors James, Edward, Nadia, Jean, Paul, and Richard emphasize the need for greater awareness of how giftedness (in the context of environmental factors) impacts the diagnostic process. In addition, the book provides ideas on appropriate interventions that will hopefully improve the quality of life for gifted individuals and those who i ...
This article is an op-ed column by the Davidson Institute for Talent Development. It highlights the tragedy in not challenging our gifted students appropriately in the school system. Educators are encouraged to identify their gifted students by providing a list of characteristics common to these students. ...
This article by Joyce VanTassel-Baska expands on the legitimacy of using standardized tests to find gifted populations. It especially supports the talent searching concept of using the Scholastic Aptitude Test to find highly able junior high age populations. Three underlying principles of talent search are discussed and evaluated in light of their utility for local identification programs. ...