How much of a difference does it make if the tester is experienced with gifted children?
This topic has also been addressed in this thread
http://giftedissues.davidsongifted...._do_you_tell_your_DC_be.html#Post174222.This post is a roundup of testing ideas expressed elsewhere.
Also mentioned from time to time in posts... ALL testers ought to be ethical, providing the
most accurate scores possible (not necessarily the
highest scores possible). This can be impacted by:
- test selection (post on
test selection)
-
a priori subtest substitution
if substitution is warranted- extended norms
if warranted - calculation of GAI
if warranted- enforcing
wait interval between retest - normative data
- parents providing
appropriate test prep contrasted with
providing test material exposure to prep a child for an IQ test, which may affect validity of the score.
Some sources include:
- this link to information about
substitutions (hat tip to
ElizabethN).
Article states, in part: "Substitutions should be made a priori (before the fact) – based upon an examiner's understanding of the child and the child's needs (e.g., replace Block Design with Picture Completion for a child with Cerebral Palsy due to the high demand of motor skills on the Block Design subtest and the low demand of motor skills on Picture Completion). This substitution decision must be made before one knows the actual subtest scores..."- Nadia Webb's
article, Davidson Database, archived in 2010.
- Aimee Yermish's
article, Hoagies' Gifted Education Page, archived in 2005.
- this
bulletin about GAI, archived 22 times on WayBackMachine.
What are some of the errors that can occur?
Many parents write of their children not cooperating, which may lower scores. Parents may also not reveal previous testing experiences to the test administrator, resulting in retesting within the wait interval, possibly raising a score. These factors may call into question the validity of the IQ score.
Caveat:
- An IQ score is a rather imprecise measure.
- An IQ score is just one of many factors to consider in educational planning... and in determining the child's ultimate "success".
- An IQ score is a snapshot at a particular point in time.
