Testing for Intelligence

     I realize I am probably being traditional, but I think school age children should take an aptitude test (IQ tests). I think this is important because it allows the teacher to know if a problem is present.  Then, she will know in advance if the child needs some additional help and be better prepared to use additional methods and techniques to help the child.  This is evident because the aptitude test can determine if the student has “the potential to master a specific skill or to learn a certain body of Knowledge” (Berger, 2009, p. 323).

   

    In Africa, the Ages of Stages Questionnaire (ASQ, -2^nd ed.)  is administered to children who are between the ages of birth and six years old. It takes between ten and twenty minutes to administer this test (Ringwalt, 2008, p.4). This test can be administered at home and the individual who gives the test can do so adequately if he has at least a sixth grade education (p.4). Trained professional scores the test and interpret the information that is gathered. Furthermore, this test provides information about which children need practice on certain skills, and which children need additional screening. Tests of this type are important in certain areas in Africa. This is because many families live in rural areas.

      

     I am concerned about the curriculum for children solely based on aptitude tests.  I think the teacher needs to be more concerned about the frameworks provided by the school system. In addition, I think the teacher needs to present lessons in various ways, assess students, and provide remediation as needed for the students. The assessment results should guide the remediation. At the same time, the teacher needs to let the child know why the learning is important. Finally, the child’s learning should be in an environment to where the child knows he is cared about and valued.

References

Berger, K. (2009). The developing person through childhood (5^th ed). New York: Worth Publishers.

Ringwalt, S. (2008). Developmental Screening and Assessment Instruments with Emphasis on Social and Emotional Development for Young Children Ages Birth through Five. The National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center. Retrieved from: http://www.nectac.org/~pdfs/pubs/screening.pdf.