Learning Styles: The Homeschooler's Intelligence Quotient is an Irrelevant Quotient

Homeschooling parents often wonder what thetests fail miserably to measure a student's real
significance of their homeschooler's IQ score reallyintelligence because they do not account for a
means. In order for homeschooling parents tostudent's emotional intelligence, nor do such
understand what an IQ score really means instandardized tests account for a homeschooler's
terms of intelligence, they must first understandcreative abilities. Finally, an IQ test does not factor
how an IQ score is determined. After learningin a student's own determination and will to
how it is determined, homeschooling parents cansucceed.
then understanding the true meaning of theirMany psychologists lean toward Gardner's theory
homeschooler's IQ score.of multiple intelligences and they also argue that
Homeschooling parents need to first realize that aintelligence can not be defined by a single test.
test that measures a student's intelligenceHoward Gardner argued the theory that people
quotient focuses on a student's verbal andhave several levels of intelligence including
mathematical skills. It is a standardized test thatVerbal-Linguistic Intelligence, Mathematical-Logical
has frequently been used to "label" students in theIntelligence, Musical Intelligence, Visual-Spatial
public school setting. Unfortunately, the intelligenceIntelligence, Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence,
quotient tests are often extremely biased andInterpersonal Intelligence, Intrapersonal Intelligence,
they do not accurately determine an individual'sNaturalist Intelligence, and Existential Intelligence.
intelligence.Further, since the average intelligence test only
An IQ test does not accurately define how smartfocuses on the verbal, visual, and mathematical
a homeschooler is. Just because a homeschoolerskills of the student, it can hardly be considered
may not perform well on an IQ test, it doesn'tan accurate interpretation of a student's real
mean that they are doomed to a poor existence!intelligence level.
The IQ test does not factor in important skills andUltimately, the homeschooler's intelligence quotient
talents that an individual has and therefore gives ais an irrelevant quotient-it means absolutely
score that is erroneous and incapable of definingnothing as far as the student's overall potential.
ones intelligence. What about a student's musicalParents shouldn't be overly concerned if their
abilities or artistic talents? What about a student'schildren don't ace an intelligence exam. After all,
socialization skills and the ability to understandeven Einstein failed seventh math and was labeled
themselves as they interact with the world? Suchnothing more than an average student.