Why might creatively gifted students be overlooked for identification in gifted education services?

Creatively gifted students may often be overlooked for identification in gifted education services primarily due to the reliance on traditional assessment methods, such as standardized IQ tests, which may not adequately capture the unique skills and potential of these students. Many creatively gifted individuals may excel in innovative thinking, problem-solving, or artistic expression, yet their abilities might not translate into high scores on IQ tests that focus more on logical-mathematical intelligence or verbal skills.

Since IQ tests have established norms and thresholds, students with exceptional creativity but lower scores in more traditional domains may not receive the recognition they deserve. This underscores how the standard identification processes can miss students who think outside the box or approach problem-solving in unconventional ways. For this reason, the emphasis on IQ as a primary tool for gifted identification can inadvertently exclude many creatively gifted individuals from receiving appropriate educational support and opportunities.