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Gifted Resource Center
General Questions
Can I use the Gifted Resource Center as
I would a testing service?
The search tools in the Gifted Resource Center
are not intended to replace standardized tools
and cannot be used as such. Testing services
provide academic assessments that are administered
by professionals with extensive training who
follow formal procedures. If this is the type
of service for which you are searching, please
refer to the Testing & Counseling section
for further assistance.
How do I decide which resources to pursue
from the list I receive?
The Institute offers you a list of possible
resources that meet your specific needs or
criteria. This list is intended to be a starting
point in your search for THE appropriate resource.
We strongly encourage you to make personal
phone calls and conduct your own research
of the resources you are interested in before
making a final decision about what is right
for you.
How accurate is the information on each
of the resources?
While we strive to offer current and correct
information, the Institute cannot guarantee
the accuracy of the information provided.
The information presented within the Gifted Resource Center
is carefully researched. Detailed information is often collected using
a variety of procedures including basic Internet
research, published materials, specially designed
surveys, and personal interviews with key
resource staff. Once the information has been
collected and documented, someone from the
facility, program or school reviews it. While
the process is fairly thorough, because different
people participate in this process and some
of the information presented is subjective,
it is possible that there may be alternative
perceptions of the resource.
What if I/my child has specific needs
that are not accommodated by the search process?
The Institute's search features allow you
to identify a number of different variables
that may be of interest to you. If there is
something specific that you are looking for
that was not amongthe searchable
options, create a list of possible resources
with the variables that are available. Then,
create your own list of unique and customized
interview questions and be sure to ask program
personnel about these things as you investigate
various programs.
What if I can't afford the program/services/school
that I am interested in?
Most programs offer some
forms of financial aid including grants and scholarships.
If you are especially interested in a program
and uncertain you can afford the cost, inquire
about the financial aid program and process.
What if I can't find a particular resource
that I am looking for?
Although The Institute offers many resources
for a variety of different needs, it is unlikely
that ALL of the appropriate resources are
part of the database. It is also possible
that, for some reason during the review process
the resource was not deemed appropriate for
the database. You may also want to review
or refine your search as you may inadvertently
be eliminating it from the results you receive.
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Contests, Awards &
Scholarships
What is the best strategy to obtain a
scholarship?
Scholarship programs often have fairly specific
guidelines as to the type of student that
is most likely to qualify for and receive
a scholarship. Search for scholarships that
best "fit" your background, qualifications,
and needs. And, before spending too much time
preparing application materials read the guidelines
carefully and be sure you qualify.
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Distance Learning
Does the Institute have information about distance learning programs?
The Gifted Resource Center contains information about various distance learning classes and
programs that augment, supplement and/or replace traditional classroom learning.
Programs
What kinds of programs are listed in the Gifted Resource Center?
The Institute identifies and thoroughly researches programs that
challenge, inspire, teach and entertain gifted students. The Gifted Resource Center
contains hundreds of programs in all different kinds of interests and talents
for after-school, weekend, enrichment and summer programs.
Schools
How do I know what school is best for
me/my child?
Only the student and you as the parent ultimately
know what school is best for your child and
family. The Institute for Educational Advancement's
goal with the Gifted
Resource Center is to provide you
with a knowledgeable and unbiased starting
point to research schools that best meet your
child's needs.
What if what "I" want in a school
is not "searchable"?
The Institute's school search allows you to
search on a number of different variables.
If there is something specific that you are
looking for that was not among searchable options,
create a list of possible
schools with the variables that are available.
Then, create your own list of unique and customized
interview questions and be sure to ask school
personnel about these things as you investigate
prospective schools.
What if I can't afford the school that
I am interested in?
While each school is different, most schools
offer some financial aid. If you are especially
interested in a school and uncertain you can
afford the cost, inquire about the financial
aid program and process. If you qualify, you
may be able to receive a scholarship that
could off set the cost.
What assistance does the Institute provide
me to research the schools that I am interested
in?
We have provided a list of possible School
Interview Questions for Parents designed
to assist your research of schools in which
you are interested. For additional help, consider
using the Institute's Consulting
Services to provide you with personalized
assistance and suggestions specific to the
student.
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Student Profile Tool:
School Search
What is the Student Profile Tool: School
Search?
The Student Profile Tool: School Search consists
of approximately 40 multiple-choice questions
aimed at creating a "profile" of
the student based on various dimensions of
the student's intellectual style, level of
giftedness, interests and personality. There
are three versions of the Student Profile
Tool: School Search: Student
Profile Tool - Elementary School Search
for grades K-5, Student
Profile Tool - Middle School Search
for grades 6-8, and the Student
Profile Tool - High School Search
for grades 9-12.
Why was the Student Profile Tool: School
Search developed?
This tool was developed in response from parents
requesting assistance in finding schools that
serve their child's unique needs. It is intended
to be a starting point for those who often
do not know where to begin when commencing
a search for a school that will serve the
unique needs of a gifted child.
How do I ensure that the most accurate
Student Profile is created?
The usefulness of the results depends on the
accuracy of the answers. It is important that
all the questions are thoughtfully answered
in the way that most accurately reflects the
student's characteristics.
Who should answer the questions and what
should I do if I can't answer all of the questions?
The Student Profile Tool: School Search questions
should be answered by the student or by an
adult who knows the student well in order
to obtain an accurate profile. If you are
uncertain about how to answer a particular
question, do not guess. Come back to the Tool
after you have had an opportunity to speak
more with the student or his/her teacher.
You must answer all of the questions in the
Student Profiling Tool in order to conduct
the school search.
What happens after I complete the Student
Profiling Tool?
After answering ALL of the questions in the
Student Profile Tool, click "Search"
and you will be automatically taken to a Profile
Search Results page. This contains the student's
profile summary characteristics and a list
of school with matching characteristics. The
name of each school is a link to more detailed
information regarding that school. In addition,
if a student's profile also indicates that
he/she would benefit from an exceptional program
in a particular content area (i.e. Math, Science
etc.) then these areas will be identified
and there will be another list of schools
that have exceptional programs. Please keep
in mind that some of the schools in this list
may or may not over lap with the schools in
the Search Results section above.
How is the student's profile created?
Each question on the Student Profile Tool
corresponds to one or more school characteristic(s)
and is assigned a certain point value. When
all of the questions have been answered, the
responses are totaled and characteristics
that dominate are identified in the Student
Profile Tool: Summary.
How are the matching school search results
generated?
The lists of schools that appear on the Search
Results page is generated by the database
of schools maintained by IEA. Characteristics
matching those indicated in the Student Profile
Tool Summary are matched to school characteristics.
What should I do with the search results?
Once you have reviewed the details of the
schools listed on your Student Profile Tool:
Search Results page, you should conduct your
own research of the schools in which you are
interested, and follow the steps recommended
by that school should you choose to apply.
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School Preference Search
What is the School Preference Search?
The Institute designed the School Preference Search
to enable students, parents and teachers to quickly gain
information pertaining to schools based on specific key options
including location, type, age, name, etc. It is also possible to search
all of the schools in our Gifted Resouce Center using this option.
What is the difference between the School Preference Search
and the Student Profiling Tool - School Search?
The Student Profiling Tool - School Search is a more indepth
means to match a student, based upon needs and characteristics, to
various schools, based upon those key attributes. The student, parent or
educator must complete a 40-question tool that helps the Institute
to find potentials schools that could meet the students' needs best.
The School Preference Search quickly provides access to school information
based on specific key options including location, type, age, name, etc.
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Testing
and Counseling
What can I do to
prepare for the tests?
Beyond getting a good night's sleep and eating
a small meal before the tests, there is little
that you can do to "prepare". These
tests are intended to measure xxx and the
results are not likely to be influenced by
practice. The student will, however, get the
best and most accurate results if he/she is
well rested and relaxed. Also, it may help
to be aware that the testing process can be
fairly long and involve numerous tests that
often increase in difficulty. Try not to get
over confident with "easy" questions,
or flustered with "difficult" ones.
What types of counseling services are
available for gifted youth?
There are many different types of counseling
and what you need depends on a variety of
issues. In some cases you might be seeking
"academic" counseling which would
address primarily issues related to academic
goals and plans. In other cases, you may be
interested in some kind of individual psychological
counseling that addresses various issues related
to self-esteem, social behavior, and Many
therapists also encourage family therapy in
which some or all of the family participates
in the sessions to learn more about ways to
understand, interact with and support one
another. All of these types of therapy can
integrate performance issues that might be
related to expressing or not expressing one's
gifts. Be sure to ask specific questions of
the therapist you are consulting with to learn
if he/she is appropriate for you.
Isn't counseling primarily for "problem"
students?
Not always. Often gifted students are highly
sensitive and may benefit from talking to
an experienced therapist.
What if I can't afford the services?
While each professional has his/her own guidelines,
most professionals are willing to offer some
financial aid. If you are especially in need
of services and uncertain you can afford the
fees, inquire as to whether the professional
has a sliding scale or offers an alternative
payment plan that suits your needs.
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