New York City Gifted and Talented Intelligence Tests

A study done with 45 individuals in the West Georgia College Summer opportunities Program for Gifted Students compared several intelligence tests. (Tyler-Wood & Carri, 1991) The participants had taken four battery tests which included the Stanford-Binet (LM), Stanford-Binet Fourth Edition, the Otis-Lennon School Abilities Test, and the Cognitive Abilities Test. It is found that scores on the Otis-Lennon School Abilities Test were significantly lower than the Students’ scores on the Stanford-Binet(LM) and the Stanford-Binet Fourth Edition.

“This study indicates the tests of cognitive ability may be tapping different types of information. If the identification for a program for the gifted is based primarily on a single test, the population of gifted students identified will vary greatly depending upon which test is used.” (Tyler-Wood & Carri, 1991)

In 2005-2006 school years in New York City, major changes occurred for the Gifted & Talented Program. Admissions process moved away from the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale and started administering the Otis-Lennon School Abilities Test. Officials stated that they were trying to reach more minorities and ethnicities for the Gifted & Talented Program, as the standard IQ test was biased.

Material and reviews were evaluated from both the Stanford-Binet Intellectual Scale and the Otis-Lennon School Abilities Test. It is found that although it may be less costly to administer the Otis-Lennon School Abilities Test, more reliability comes from administering the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale. The coefficients for the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale are higher than the Otis-Lennon School Abilities Test. Testing manuals are also less confusing in regards to the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales.

The Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale would suit younger children better in regards to how it is administered, not like a standard test. Most children in the New York City area who are testing for the Gifted & Talented Program fall in between the ages of 4 and 6 years old. The Otis-Lennon School Abilities Test may make it more difficult for them to come up with a reliable tests score, in regards to test administration. Even though more research is needed with comparing both tests, it seems New York officials should step back and take another look at which test to use for the Gifted & Talented Programs.

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Read part 4 here