Parents' Guide to IQ Testing and Gifted Education: All You Need to Know to Make the Right Decisions for Your Child [Paperback]

David Palmer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 28, 2006

Parents of brainy kids can understand what’s behind IQ testing and selection for special school programs with this guide to gifted education. Written by an IQ specialist, this guide details the history of IQ tests and how they measure intelligence, and familiarizes parents with signs of giftedness they can look for in their own children. Acknowledging that some bright and gifted kids can reach their full potential in a regular classroom, a detailed analysis of how gifted programs work helps parents decide which gifted programs, if any, are right for their children. A section on twice-exceptional, or “2E” kids, shows parents how to recognize signs of learning disabilities in their otherwise bright or achieving kids and how to access school support for those particular problems.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Parents' Guide to IQ Testing and Gifted Education is the only book written specifically for parents who need to understand gifted testing and gifted programming so that they can make informed decisions for their children.

If your child is being tested for a gifted program, or if you're just trying to understand what gifted education is all about, you need information. In fact, when it comes to making educational placement decisions for your child you should know as much as teachers, principals, school psychologists, or anyone else.

This book gives those with little or no background in IQ testing and gifted education a close look at how the system of screening, testing, and programming really works. This is where you'll find the direct answers and specific advice you need to make the right decisions for your child.

In this book you'll find straight forward answers to the questions parents ask most...

- Who gets tested and why?
- Are gifted programs right for my child?
- What are the potential drawbacks to a gifted placement?
- What are the signs of giftedness and why should I know?
- What do IQ tests measure?
- What do IQ scores mean?
- How do learning problems like ADHD affect IQ scores?
- Are IQ scores always accurate?
- What score is needed for placement in a gifted program?
- Do all districts use these same cut-off scores?
- Are there circumstances where a child should be tested before starting school?
- Why is my high-achieving child not being considered for the gifted program?
- If my child is tested again in a year or two, is the score likely to be the same?
- I don't think the score is accurate. Should I get a second opinion?
- How much will it cost to get a private assessment?
- Who is qualified to administer IQ tests and how do I find them?
- What kind of IQ test should I ask for?
- Is there a downside to having a high IQ?
- Why do some kids with high IQ's seem to have social problems?
- What does "optimal IQ" mean?
- What special programs are available for bright kids with learning problems?

...And much more

Some bright or gifted kids can reach their full potential in a regular school program - but some need a different kind of learning experience to blossom.

Schools recognize this. So do parents, researchers, and specialists who advocate for this sometimes overlooked group.

If you think you have one of these kids, you need to get informed so that you can find the support your child needs.

About the Author

Dave Palmer, PhD, is an educational psychologist who has administered hundreds of IQ tests to children of all ages and abilities. He is a former assistant professor of education at California State University–Los Angeles. He lives in Lakewood, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Parent Guide Books (September 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0977109852
• ISBN-13: 978-0977109852
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #138,853 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every parent should read this book!, March 2, 2007

By 

Carolyn K. "Mrs. Hoagie" (Hoagies' Gifted Education Page) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Parents' Guide to IQ Testing and Gifted Education: All You Need to Know to Make the Right Decisions for Your Child (Paperback)

Not just every parent of a gifted child, but every teacher and every guidance counselor of gifted children, too, should read Parent's Guide to IQ Testing and Gifted Education. Palmer explains all in one book, what it took me years of talking to dozens of gifted professionals to learn for myself. And Palmer makes it easy to read, with review points at the end of each chapter - if you're in a hurry, read the review points first, and pick the chapters that answer the questions you have right now. But read the whole book cover to cover when you have time - it's worth it!

What do IQ tests measure, and what don't they measure? What's the difference between group and individual tests? How about surveys? What are the different kinds of scores that result from these tests: standard scores, percentiles, and age-equivalent scores? How are gifted children identified by these tests? Which groups of children are commonly under-identified? How does identification vary from school district to school district and state to state? And besides test scores, what are the characteristics commonly found in gifted children?

But Parent's Guide to IQ Testing and Gifted Education is not just about tests and testing. It describes various gifted education programs, and how those programs may or may not serve your gifted child. Are there disadvantages to being gifted? Palmer describes common sensitivities of the gifted child, and the possible effects on the child's self-esteem.

Gifted children may also suffer from learning disabilities, much to the surprise of parents and teachers alike. In Part III, Palmer points out possible LDs, and identification methods for gifted children with memory, attention, vision or auditory processing problems, and more. What are the options for gifted and learning disabled, also called twice exceptional children? IEPs, resource rooms, aides and more, are discussed.

Palmer concludes with a history of the measure of intelligence, IQ tests and testing, nature and nurture, and other discussion topics.

If you are the parent of a gifted child, or you suspect you're the parent of a gifted child, you should read this book. And if you are a teacher, you should read this book to learn more about the gifted children in your classroom.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great resource for parents!, December 7, 2006

By 

E. Stern - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Parents' Guide to IQ Testing and Gifted Education: All You Need to Know to Make the Right Decisions for Your Child (Paperback)

I was interested in learning about IQ testing because I'm considering enrolling my son in a gifted program. I was thrilled to find this book as it answered so many of my questions. It's really written for parents, not academics. This book was especially helpful because it helped explain that many of the behaviors I'm noticing in him are actually because of his giftedness. This is a fabulous resource for anyone who wants to learn how to navigate the IQ testing process. It also helps you understand how the tests are used and what the scores mean.
I highly recommend this book to any parent!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book for Parents!, July 5, 2006

By 

Karen Roseli - See all my reviews

This review is from: Parents' Guide to IQ Testing and Gifted Education: All You Need to Know to Make the Right Decisions for Your Child (Paperback)

This book was recommended to me by a friend when my child was going through the gifted testing process at school. As far as I know, this is the only book written for parents like me whose kids are being tested and who need to understand gifted screening, IQ testing, gifted programs, and different school options. This book is written by an educational psychologist who has lots of experience and great insider advice for novice parents. This is a great reference for parents - highly recommended!