Submitted by Nyome Prashad, Sep 3, 2008 22:27

Like Karen Trott, I also believe a standardized, multiple-choice test is never a good way to assess the intelligence of small children. My son is now in grade 1. He starts to read at the age of 3. He has more than average knowledge in everyday science, math, current events and is very hands on. He was able to read, follow the diagrams, and assemble many things in my home with almost no help at the age of 4.5 years. He is able to offer rational explanations for many changes and events that occurred in his environment. He can carry on a super conversation with you. When I tested him with the practice test in the booklet provided by the DOE for the Kindergarten gifted students last year, he scored a 98%. Why am telling you all of this? My son is extremely active, likes to touch and examine things and cannot sit still. The day he took the test he came home and told me that the teacher is reading too slow and he got all confused. He also said the teacher will not allow him to read. Infact the teacher have no idea he can read. He got a 76% on the test and never made it to the gifted and talented program. If these kids were carefully interviewed and tested on a "one on one" level I am sure the results will be much more indicative of the child's ability. Nyome

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