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Talent Search: Myths and Facts
The academic talent search as a concept has been around for over 30 years. The Belin-Blank Center at
the University of Iowa has conducted the Belin-Blank Exceptional Student Talent Search (BESTS) for 11
of those years. Yet, even after all these years, there are still misperceptions of what a talent search
is and what it can do for parents and educators of academically talented students. The following is an
attempt to dispel those misperceptions.
Myth #1: A Talent Search is meant to find students who are exceptional in the performing arts.
Fact: While the title Talent Search is reminiscent of something Ed McMahon may host, it is actually
short for Academic Talent Search. This is not to diminish talent searches for the performing arts, as
they serve a similar role in that field. Academic talent searches, however, focus on discovering the
needs of academically talented students via above-level (or out-of-level) testinga test for older
students is given to younger students. For example, BESTS offers the 8th-grade EXPLORE test to talented
students in grades 4 through 6, and the ACT Assessment and SATI to those in grades 7 through 9.
Myth #2: Results from standardized grade-level tests provide sufficient information to develop programs
for academically talented students.
Fact: High percentile rankings on standardized grade-level tests are evidence of superior academic
achievement. This does not, however, provide sufficient information regarding academic programming for
gifted students. There are simply not enough difficult items on these tests to distinguish their relative
needs based on their strengths. Results from above-level testing provided by a talent search can be the
initial step in developing challenging academic programming.
Myth #3: A Talent Search is a scam.
Fact: One of the most unfortunate myths about academic talent searches is that they are some kind of
shady business preying on the parents of the gifted. All legitimate talent searches are associated with
a major university or college and are operated by centers or institutes whose sole focus is gifted
education. These searches are run by people sincere in their efforts to help gifted and talented students
reach their fullest potential. A key component to reaching that potential can be results from above-level
testing. What exactly are the fees from a Talent Search used for? The total fee for BESTS, for example,
is $50. Of that $50, $25 covers the cost of the test. The remaining $25 is used to cover administrative
costs: publications, services, supplies, etc. A large portion of that $25 is used to produce a
comprehensive score-interpretation guide. This guide walks parents and educators through the process of
understanding their students scores and how those scores can be used. In addition, it lists several
state organizations, print, and Web resources for parents and students.
Myth #4: Above-level tests are too hard and end up creating more frustration for the invited student.
Fact: Half of the students who take above-level tests do as well or better than the average for the group
the test was designed for. Since 1993, we have analyzed the scores for over 40,000 elementary and
secondary students. Fifty percent of these students have done as well or better than the average 8th
grader or 11th/12th grader, respectively. In addition, when asked about their talent search experience,
the vast majority of students responded that the test was challenging, but not frustrating.
Myth #5: Academically talented students can have their academic needs met through classroom enrichment
activities.
Fact: All students need some enrichment to their regular academic program. But, by definition, enrichment
is designed to keep students in place and there is no systematic progression through the curriculum.
Enrichment is rarely based upon a students specific needs. Academically talented students need to
progress systematically through the curriculum at a challenging pace. Results from above-level tests can
help determine what is appropriate for a particular student. This is especially true with results from
the EXPLORE or ACT Assessment from ACT, Inc. ACT has created text statements to accompany scores from
their tests. These text statements, called Standards for Transition, lay out by content and process what
students scoring in a particular score range are most likely able to do. These statements provide a map
for what a student is ready for and can assist greatly in making appropriate program modifications.
Myth #6: Information about Talent Searches is only distributed to schools.
Fact: Although paper registration packets are distributed through schools, parents can register students
for BESTS directly through the Centers Website or by contacting the Center at 800-336-6463 and requesting
a paper registration form.
Myth #7: Students must be in a talented and gifted program to participate.
Fact: Students who participate in a talent search are not required to participate in a school-based talented and gifted program. The converse is also true: a student who participates in a talent search will not automatically qualify for their school's talented and gifted program. A talent search is meant to complement school-based talented and gifted programs, not replace them. It allows schools to discover and serve students they may not have otherwise.
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