Assessing the “whole child” should be used as just
that because multiple testing should be done. A child can’t be assessed just by
an IQ test because it’s just standardized. There are many debates about standardized
testing in the United States. When the no child left behind act was passed it
required annual testing. In Australia they use the Wechsler Intelligence Scale
for Children which are used on children from ages six through sixteen. Australian Standardization (WISC-IV) is an
individually administered instrument for assessing the cognitive ability of
children aged 6 years to 16 years (Bloom). The WISC-IV is one of the most
reliable and valid IQ testing instruments available. It is the most widely used
measure of IQ for school placement (Bloom).
For children under 6
years: The Wechsler Preschool & Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-III)
is an individually administered instrument for assessing the cognitive ability
of children aged 2.5 years and 7 years (Bloom). As with the WISC-IV, the
WPPSI-II is one of the most reliable and valid IQ testing instruments available
(Bloom).
The Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT-II) assesses academic
achievement skills in children from the age of 4 years (Bloom). Key subtests
include spelling, word reading and numerical operations (Bloom).
Key Benefits of a WISC Assessment
The main benefits include:
· * Early identification of reading & learning issues;
· * Useful in identifying learning disabilities;
· * Understanding of an individual’s learning profile;
· * Identification of gifted children;
· * The assessment also helps Schools make appropriate;
accommodations and develop learning plans for individual students;
and
· * The ability to determine learning processes, which
include both strengths and weaknesses and the impact that they might have on
individual student performance.
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