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First True Intelligence Test
Alfred Binet and Theodore Simon produced the first true intelligence test, which added the ability to measure vocabulary knowledge and thinking skills. Although this test would be revised over the years, it was a springboard for future developments in testing. As the saying goes, "You have to start somewhere". -
Standford-Binet Test Development
Lewis Terman, considered the father of the gifted movement across the globe, revised, improved and adapted the Simon-Binet intelligence test so that it could be administered to children. This has been called "the greatest initial achievement of the gifted child field". -
Terman Study of the Gifted
Lewis Terman began a study of a sampling of 1,500 gifted children. This is the longest running longitudinal study of gifted children to date. The study continues today with participants who are still living. The potential to identify factors that affect a gifted person's realization of success over a timespan of that length is interesting. -
Leta Stetter Hollingworth
In this year, Hollingworth begins a Special Opportunity Class for students in a New York City school. Where Terman is noted for starting the gifted child movement, Hollingsworth is credited with pioneering gifted child education. She later went on to establish the Speyer School for gifted children ages 7-9. -
National Defense Education Act passes
Spurred by the Soviet's launching of Sputnk, this Act was designed to improve and strengthen the American school system by encouraging students to continue in school past a high school level. It was the first time the federal government had promoted programs aimed at gifted and talented students. -
NAGC Standards Published
NAGC publishes national gifted education standards to be used in teacher preparation programs. These standards aid all teachers in the identification, referral, and teaching of gifted learners. Part of the disconnect bewteen identifying and serving gifted students seems to be with continuing specialized instruction within the regular classroom. Standards such as these can help bridge that gap.
