Use of Brief Intelligence Tests in the Identification of Giftedness
Eric E. Pierson, Lydia M. Kilmer, Barbara A. Rothlisberg and David E. McIntosh
Schools often administer brief intelligence tests as the first step in the identification of students who are cognitively gifted. However, brief measures are often used without consideration of underlying constructs or the psychometric properties of the measures and without regard to the links between screening decisions and educational programming. This article provides an overview of these issues and offers recommendations for using brief intelligence measures particularly when screening children who are cognitively gifted.
My experience as an elementary teacher in the School District of Philadelphia Public Schools 15 years ago, indicated that one of the biggest issues in the nomination process was an institutionalized belief that children of color were less likely to qualify. I taught at a school not a mile for University of PA with a mixed race population and found that when i ‘recommended’ testing for a white child it took place more quickly and was a relatively smooth process. Getting a child of color on the list took far too much explanation, qualification and persuasion. I sincerely hope this is no longer the case.
Thank you for sharing the range of assessments now available and this transparency will help ALL children realize their potential.