"QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT" MODEL

An alternative or additional approach to
evaluation of children to determine giftedness:
The "Qualitative Assessment" Model

Please also read:  The Emotional Needs of the Gifted

This approach differs from the traditional in a variety of ways:

• It is based on a distinct philosophy of life.
• It recognizes the fact that giftedness expresses itself emotionally as well as cognitively.  
• It recognizes the fact that emotions cannot be measured quantitatively, but reveal a multitude of aspects of giftedness, which are crucial in understanding the gifted and the depth of their giftedness.
• It recognizes the fact that the more highly gifted a child is, the more difficult it will be for his/her emotional inner life and agenda to integrate with others.
• It is based on the concept that the Self, this inner unit is an undeniable existing reality, which has an impact on every aspect of life.
• It is based on the concept that the only instrument complex enough to understand a human being is another human being.
• There may be a fundamental difference in purpose of the parents or school, and the evaluator.

How does it differ in purpose?

• To develop a clear vision of the uniqueness of the child to assist in creating or finding a clear path toward unhindered emotional and cognitive growth.
• To find ways to fit the environment to the child rather than seeing how the child fits into the environment.  The quest is to discover who is the child rather than how the child will fit my expectations.