Creativity Assessment

Test Number	2
Title	A Survey of Students’ Educational Talent and Skills: A.S.S.E.T.S.
Author	Grand Rapids Public Schools (MI)
Category	Rating Scale Self-Report Inventory
Copyright Date	1986
Availability	Out of Print
Restrictions
Age/Grade Level	Grades K-6
Cost	No data as to recent pricing.
Forms	Two forms: K-3 and Inc.K-6.
Source	No current source available.
Address	Originally developed in the Grand Rapids (MI) Public Schools
Phone
Fax
web or e-mail
Definition	Creative Thinking Ability is indicated by: the ability to think of a large number of solutions; appreciation of funny storied; enjoyment in telling funny stories; an appreciation of adventure and taking risks; a lot of curiosity about new things; a great deal of imagination; an eagerness to discuss new ideas or information
Purposes	The instrument is designed to help identify children’s gifts and talents, and to help in planning enrichment experiences for these children.
Characteristics	Generating Ideas Digging Deeper into Ideas Openness and Courage to Explore Ideas Listening to One's Inner Voice

Manual
Fair	Manual describes each instrument, outlines the procedure for administering and scoring the inventories, and suggests possible applications of the results.

Validity
Poor	Data not available.

Reliability
Poor	Data not available.

Utility
Fair	Any professional can administer the test to individuals or groups. The parent survey lacks explicit direction on administering the interest section to the child and lacks information on how to record the data. Poor formatting of the student answer sheet decreases the ease of administration. However, the feedback form is clear and offers understandable scoring interpretation.

Interpretation

Fair

Five scores are reported addressing interests and talent areas; academic motivational characteristics, creative thinking ability, visual and performing arts.The teacher Inventory items seem mixed in level and style; student self-report items seem to be questions of style leaning towards an Explorer preference, although # 19 seems to tape type; parent inventory items tap mostly style while # 22 looks at type.

Propriety
Poor	Not addressed in the manual

Reviews & Related Lit

TiP V, 1999) Reviews in widely referenced sources (e.g., MMY): MMY #10, 1989: Newman, D. L. “The attempt to include parents in the assessment process in a direct manner is to be commended; however, the present format necessitates an assumption that all children have a parent who is willing and able to conduct that portion of the instrument.” Rust, J. O. “The chief strength of the survey is that the parent’s, child’s and teacher’s opinions are all used. It makes good sense to include a broad range of opinions in developing instructional decisions about talented youngsters. A second relative strength … is the focus on student interest. …The survey is weakened by its lack of information about reliability, validity, and normative data.”