5 Levels of Gifted: School Issues and Educational Options

by Deborah Ruf

Overview

Giftedness exists on a continuum—there is a broad range of traits and behaviors that children can exhibit based on where they fall in that continuum. 5 Levels of Gifted is an award-winning book describing these differences within the gifted population. Author Deborah Ruf looks at 78 gifted children and groups them into five levels of giftedness based on developmental milestones, as well as test data. This information gives parents and educators a reference guide to compare with their own gifted children or students. The author then offers different educational approaches and practical advice, including how to find the best type of school for children at each level.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780910707985
Publisher:	Gifted Unlimited
Publication date:	09/15/2009
Pages:	372
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.75(d)

About the Author

Deborah L. Ruf, Ph.D., is a specialist in intelligence assessment and individualized interpretations and guidance for both gifted children and adults. She practices in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area of Minnesota, where her testing, research, writing, and speaking focus on school and educational issues, as well as related social and emotional adjustments for gifted children-particularly those at the highest levels of giftedness. Dr. Ruf was awarded the Mensa Intellectual Benefits Award for 2007.Dr. Ruf founded Educational Options in 1998. Her familiarity with a diverse range of gifted individuals enables her to guide families through the educational system and to interpret where they actually "fit" (or don't fit) in those systems. Her experience includes work in a variety of settings: elementary classroom teacher in Alexandria, Virginia; supervisor of elementary teachers for Moorhead State University in small towns in North Dakota and Minnesota; Cass County Superintendent of Schools in North Dakota; part-time homeschool teacher for her own children; university instructor in classroom management, school law and gifted education; elementary gifted education teacher in a large district; principal intern in a large school district; and public speaker. Dr. Ruf earned her Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota in Educational Psychology with emphasis in Tests and Measurement and Learning and Cognition. Her Master's degree, from the University of Virginia, is in Administration and Supervision. One of her primary goals is to translate educational research into understandable and meaningful language so that families are empowered to advocate effectively for their children within the educational systems. Dr. Ruf wrote the High Ability Assessment Bulletin for the Stanford-Binet, Fifth Edition (2003) for Riverside Publishing, avoiding the statistical jargon usually associated with such assessment manuals. In 2003, Dr. Ruf became National Gifted Children Program Coordinator of American Mensa and is currently working to coordinate efforts of numerous gifted advocacy groups while making Mensa a more welcoming organization to young people. A national presenter on levels of giftedness and how one's intellectual profile affects adjustment, she also consults with adult groups on the intellectual and social/emotional characteristics of their members.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. One Family’s Story

Chapter 2. Issues for Parents

Chapter 3. Intellectual Level and Why it Matters

Chapter 4. Level One Gifted: Approximately 90th to 98th Percentiles

Chapter 5. Level Two Gifted: Approximately 98th and 99th Percentiles

Chapter 6. Level Three Gifted: Approximately 98th and 99th Percentiles

Chapter 7. Level Four Gifted: 99th Percentile

Chapter 8. Level Five Gifted: Above the 99th Percentile

Chapter 9. What These Kids Are Like

Chapter 10. The Crash Course on Giftedness and the Schools

Chapter 11. School Years and Ongoing Issues

Chapter 12. Educational Needs for Each Level

What People are Saying About This

Jean Goerss

"Every parent of a gifted child should read this book before that child steps into a classroom. I wish I had this book years ago!"--(Jean Goerss, M.D., President, Bove Institute for Exceptional Children)

Editorial Reviews

“Finally, a book that thoroughly describes gifted young people and what they need in order to thrive! This book will be of great benefit to exceptionally gifted young people, their families, and educators.”

-Colleen Harsin, M.A., M.S.W., L.S.W., Director of Family Services, Davidson Institute for Talent Development

“Every parent of a gifted child should read this book before that child steps into a classroom. I wish I’d had this book years ago!”

-Jean Goerss, M.D., President, Bove Institute for Exceptional Children

“A thorough and thought-provoking book that provides an intriguing new perspective on giftedness. It is full of helpful ideas for parents.”

-Edward R. Amend, Ph.D., Amend Psychological Services

From the Publisher