Also - do you have a specific tester in mind? To my way of thinking, on of the most important parts of testing is having a tester who you can rely on to guide you through the parenting journey.
If you can find someone local who knows the various local resources and has a good background with 'more than usually gifted kids' that is the best of both worlds.
I ask because some testers will use WISC but not SB-5.
You can read more here
From Hoagiesgifted.org:
Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scaless, ages 2-85
Individually administered assessment of intelligence and cognitive abilities, for use with children and adults. Administered individually, by licensed professional only. Published by Riverside Publishing Company
Stanford-Binet 5th edition (SB-5), ceiling = 160
Gifted scoring supplemental bulletin! Special Composite Scores for the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales, Fifth Edition (requires Adobe Reader)
Read Use of the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales, Fifth Edition in the Assessment of High Abilities (requires Adobe Reader)
Correction to the score tables listed in the bulletin above, in Ruf Estimates of Levels of Giftedness
Gifted and highly gifted students: how do they score on the SB5? (Identification Discrepancies) by Shannon Pratt, from HighBeam Research, (by subscription)
Stanford-Binet 4th edition (SB-IV), ceiling = 164
Stanford-Binet form L-M (SB L-M, the "old" Binet), ceiling = 164 (and above, using Pinneau calculation)
Read Don't Throw Away the Old Binet by Dr. Linda Silverman and Kathi Kearney, and Current Use of the Stanford Binet, Form L-M by by Barbara Gilman and Annette Revel
Wechsler Intelligence Scales
Wechsler Preschool Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-III) ages 2-6
Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-III or WISC-IV, also read Changes from the WISC-III to the WISC-IV) ages 6-16
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) ages 16-74
Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI) ages 6-89 (read Validity of the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence and Other Very Short Forms of Estimating Intellectual Functioning)
Standardized test of intelligence designed by David Wechsler, for use with children and adults. Administered individually, by PhD-level degree in Psychology or Education only. Published by Harcourt Assessment
- Also read Harcourt Assessment WISC-IV Technical Report #4 General Ability Index (requires Adobe Reader), Using the DWI or GAI, and Assessment and Testing: What about the SB5, WISC-IV, and Other Tests? from Our Gifted Online Conferences
- Use of the WISC-IV for Gifted Identification Position Statement from the National Association for Gifted Children
- Harcourt Assessment WISC-IV Technical Report #7 WISC�IV Extended Norms Extended norms are useful when a child�s score is the maximum (ceiling) on two or more subtests (e.g., obtains scaled scores of 18 or 19 points)) (requires Adobe Reader)
- For a report on results of using the WISC-IV with the gifted, read Who Are the Gifted Using the New WISC-IV? by Linda Kreger Silverman, Barbara Gilman, and R. Frank Falk
- For professional information, Assessment of Children WISC-IV and WPPSI-III Supplement by Jerome M. Sattler and Ron Dumont
- WISC-IV has 10 core subtests and 5 supplemental subtests. Be sure to get optional subtests Information, Arithmetic, and Picture Completion for gifted kids. Their scores will be high on these subtests and can influence interpretation of other subtests, though still not factored into the Full Scale score
Woodcock-Johnson III (WJ-III), ages 2-90+
Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Cognitive Abilities
Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Achievement
Assessment of cognitive abilities and/or achievement, for use with children and adults. The WJ-III Achievement Test is probably the most often recommended individual achievement test for gifted children, thanks to it's high ceilings (past high school levels). Published by Riverside Publishing Company
- Visit the Dumont-Willis Unofficial WJ-III page for ceiling and other information.
- Also read Woodcock-Johnson� III Normative Update Assessment Service Bulletin Number 7: Specification of the Cognitive Processes Involved in Performance on the Woodcock-Johnson III (requires Adobe Reader)for a breakdown of cognitive strengths and weaknesses identified by the WJ-III
- Be aware: Auditory processing counts for 10-15% of WJ-III cognitive GIA score, although there is no evidence that gifted students demonstrate higher auditory processing; nor proof that this phonemic awareness increases with age
My thought is that at this moment, your DD is too young to take the WISC IV and too academically strong to take WPPSI, so your only read choice before age 6 is SB-5 with an WJ-III for achievement. I would stick to tests that are recognized by Davidson Young Scholars program
because they picked the most widely used, respected tests. And because you may as well see if she qualifies for YSP.
You might want to get a bit more specific in your questions, here or at least at home with your journal, before you plunk down the cash. It will help you have a few good questions for your phone interviews of your potential testers.
People often want to know things like:
1) She wears me out every day - can you teach me something about her that will may it easier for me to plan days that wear her out instead?
2) Should she do early Kindergarten?
3) Should we be looking into private schools?
4) Will I have to homeschool her?
What's on your list?
Love and More Love,
Grinity
