The individual, composite abilities in the Si Model range from the most critical fundamental abilities needed for reading and arithmetic, to abilities required for high level science and mathematical thinking.
Mary Meeker, in the late 6o and 70’s analyzed the major testing instruments used for students found 26 abilities in the si that were essential for academic success. using these 26 abilities she developed the sol Learning Abilities test for identifying students abilities related to academic success and career placement.
These 26 abilities can be examined in the same way as the broad dimension are identified in the same areas
- Well Developed is considered above average ability.
- Developed is seen as average for a particular group.
- Under Developed is viewed as below average abilities.
understanding individual’s composite abilities provides a diagnostic picture of individuals underlying abilities that can help professionals assess why individuals may be encountering problems in school or work settings.
The composite abilities can be divided into areas related to specific skills (skills require multiple abilities in order to be fully realized) such as:
- reading
- arithmetic/math
- visual abilities
- fine motor/writing
- creativity.
Reading Ability
There are 11 abilities related to reading.
Basic Reading
The first six are considered bASIC Reading abilities. These are the abilities which are needed in order to LEARN TO READ.
- CFU – Visual closure; ability to see whole objects and whole words
- CFC – Visual conceptualization; ability to classify information by concepts and understand the concepts
- EFU – Visual discrimination; ability to see detail within a whole object or word
- MSU-v – Visual memory, attention; ability to remember individual symbols that have been presented visually
- MSS-v – Visual memory, concentration; ability to remember symbols in the order presented visually
Advanced Reading
The next five abilities are those which are needed to READ TO LEARN.
- CMU – Vocabulary
- CMR – Verbal relations; ability to understand concepts and ideas in context
- CMS – Sequencing information; ability to follow direction or sequence information presented
- EFC – Discriminating visual similarities; ability to see the differences and similarities in visual information
- MFU – Memory for details; ability to observe and recall details of information read or seen
- NST – Speed of word recognition; ability to track words in a line of type and recognize each word
Arithmetic, Higher Mathematic and Science
Basic Arithmetic
- CSS – Understanding number sequences; basic number concepts
- ESS – Judging correctness of number sequences; able to determine whatoperations to use in solving arithmetic problems
- ESC – Judging number classes or sets; determining classes that numbers belong to, i.e., even numbers, odd numbers, prime numbers.
- NSS – Applying number facts; ability to perform the required operations in an arithmetic problem
- MSU-a – Auditory memory, attention; ability to recall individual symbolic information presented auditorily
- MSS-a – Auditory memory, concentration; ability to remember symbols in the order presented auditorily
Advance Mathematics and Science
There are 5 advance math and science abilities.
- CFS – Spatial orientation; ability to maintain a particular point of view in a figural/spatial system.
- CFT – Spatial conservation; ability to recognize identical objects from different points of view.
- CSR – Symbolic relations; ability to see patterns in symbolic information.
- NSS – Applying number facts; ability to perform the required operations in an arithmetic problem.
- NMI – Logic/deductive reasoning; ability to use deductive thinking and logic in solving figural and symbolic problems.
Writing
One ability is related to handwriting.
NFU – Reproducing figures, shapes and designs.
Visual Abilities
There are three abilities related to vision and perception..
- CFU– Spatial orientation; ability to maintain a particular point of view in a figural/spatial system..
- CFT – Spatial conservation; ability to recognize identical objects from different points of view.
- CSR – Symbolic relations; ability to see patterns in symbolic information.
Creativity
There are three abilities related to creativity.
- DFU– Ability to generate original visual ideas and the ability to communicate visually using figures, shapes, pictures and designs
- DSR – Abilities to be creative with number concepts and to generate connections between letters or numbers in different ways
- DMU – Ability to develop and express through writing unique and original ideas within a limited amount of time