The Annemarie Roeper Method of Qualitative Assessment
Qualitative Assessment
Dr. Annemarie Roeper developed the Qualitative Assessment over the course of 50 years. She uses this method of assessment, independent of IQ test, to describe giftedness and increase understanding of the emotional nature of the gifted child.
The ANNEMARIE ROEPER METHOD OF QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT may be used as an alternative to IQ testing or as a supplemental approach to identifying and understanding gifted children. This assessment is not associated with traditional IQ or cognitive tests and may be useful when parents and teachers want more than cognitive information about a child. QA provides a wealth of information about the child's giftedness as well as guidance in finding an appropriate learning environment based on personal and emotional needs. The fundamental principles described below guide the assessment.
Practitioner
I have completed all requirements and have been certified by Dr. Annemarie Roeper in her Qualitative Assessment Method. Dr. Roeper has supervised my work with children, their families and evaluated my skills, knowledge, and understandings that are required of a practitioner. More information about my education, experience, and philosophy is available.
I believe gifted children face unique challenges in their quest for unconditional acceptance in relationships of trust with parents, teachers, and peers. When we, as parents and teachers, hold to our own agendas for the child, we miss opportunities for gifted children to inform us about who they are.
The children with whom I work span ages, genders, backgrounds, and geographical locations.
Process
The process Qualitative Assessment consists of three sessions, one with parents, one with the child, and a final discussion with the parents. During the first session, parents and I establish a common ground on which we build a shared understanding of the child's giftedness. The second session finds the child talking about what he would like to share without leading questions. Several age-appropriate games and activities are available if the child is comfortable with them. I maintain respect for the privacy of the child and do not intrude on that private SELF in any way. All interactions provide insights parents might act upon at home and suggest to teachers. In the final session, parents are invited to talk about their goals for the QA which often include educational planning.
I contract with parents (or school districts) to complete the process for Qualitative Assessment for a basic fee; a written report may be included in the contract for an additional price.
Confidentiality
I work with utmost confidentiality. My professional ethics prevent me from discussing what is shared during assessment sessions with anyone other than parents who contract for this service. All notes, tapes, and communication with parents are sealed when the assessment is completed.
Principles of Qualitative Assessment
- The agenda of the adult may overpower the child's own story and thus must be put aside for the child's story to emerge.
- The gifted child has an inner wisdom and power to understand what others do not.
- QA focuses on a process that yields insight and fuller understanding of the child's world/life view.
- The emotional life of the child is the context in which the cognitive life can flourish.
For more information about Qualitative Assessment, please refer to Dr. Roeper's website: http://www.roeperconsultation.com .
Whether life will continue on this world now depends on us. And whether we survive, and preserve a life worth living, depends on the kind of selves we are able to create, and on the social forms that we succeed in building.
-- Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi