ABSTRACT
In the preceding chapters a fuller picture of the mathematical characteristics of able children has emerged. Could the profile of abilities described be of use to teachers in ordinary classrooms? If so, for what purpose? One clear purpose is to aid in the identification of able children and in this context reference has already been made to the checklist devised by Denton and Postlethwaite (1985) containing 22 items largely derived from the model of abilities put forward by Krutetskii (1976). Before reporting the outcome of their work it is worth mentioning that they had previously looked at the effectiveness of teachers' judgement compared with testing in the identification of able children. En this part of their study they gave a sample of Year 9 pupils a range of tests of general aptitudes and attitudes. The results were used to predict later exam success. Teachers were asked to make similar predictions. The teachers' predictions were based on overall judgements about ability and attainment gathered through normal weekly assessments and classroom contact. When the exam results eventually became known it was found that teachers of mathematics were as effective as the tests in predicting future performance.
