Testing for Intelligence?

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.

Resource

Dr. Bloom Sydney Child Assessment and Testing Service -SCATS IQ Testing Sydney Australia. Retrieved from http://www.sydneychildtesting.com.au/iq_testing.html.

Jepsen, D. (2012). Child Psychology Services. Retrieved from http://www.school-psychology.com.au/blog/wechsler-intelligence-scale-for-children-wisc-iv/.