HOW CAN TEACHERS IDENTIFY THE LEADERSHIP ABILITIES OF GIFTED AND TALENTED STUDENTS?
No standardized test of leadership will identify the leadership potential of gifted and talented students. As with other areas of giftedness, a combination of methods will aid the teacher in identifying those who excel in this area and in determining individual strengths and weaknesses. Some of the methods found to be useful include: • Nomination and/or rating by peers, teachers, self, or community group members (for example, scout, church or 4-H group leaders) • Observation of simulation activities • Biographical information on past leadership experiences • Interviews • Personality tests (such as the Myers-Briggs Type indicator) • Leadership styles instruments (such as the Leader Effectiveness and Adaptability Description) which may be interpreted to give leadership profiles Many group dynamics and human relations textbooks contain checklists that further pinpoint leadership abilities. The information gathered in this process should give direction to the intervention program and shoul
