Normalizing Data for Identification of Gifted Students by Sharon Ryan

This is a new, significant and practical contribution to gifted education: whether you’re evaluating an existing gifted education program, initiating a new gifted program, or simply learning about the identification process.

The book outlines problems inherent in gifted identification procedures, then gives easy-to-understand, step-by-step instructions for implementing an alternative identification matrix.  Included is a CD-ROM into which gifted coordinators can enter student test scores and begin using the method immediately.

Normalizing Data for Identification of Gifted Students simplifies the identification process and supports educators who are faced with the difficulty of including multiple test cycles and a variety of assessment instruments in their gifted identification procedures.  It is also useful for school districts interested in disaggregating their student data, which is helpful when identifying under-served gifted populations. This is a valuable new resource that is being welcomed by teachers and administrators.

A native of Chicago, Sharon Ryan graduated from DePaul University with a B.S. in Elementary Education and an M.B.A.  She also holds a M.A. from Northeastern Illinois University in Gifted Education.  Her teaching experience ranges from the primary grades to the college level in both public and private schools.  Currently the gifted coordinator in a Chicago suburban school district, she is a regular participant in the parent speaker series at Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development, and has also been a speaker at both the Illinois and national gifted conferences.