re: Some thoughts on IQ

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Are New Orleans charter schools not included in the 2024 NAEP results? e.g., 4th grade reading assessments?

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Yes. There are 41 public elementary schools in New Orleans. There are 1,663 public elementary schools in Louisiana. It is unlikely that changes implemented in New Orleans tell the story of changes implemented across the entire state.

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It is unlikely that changes implemented in New Orleans tell the story of changes implemented across the entire state.

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What story do changes implemented in New Orleans tell?

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THEN say something, otherwise my "high brow" verbiage isn't hurting a damned thing.

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Should have gone with devour feculence Milichik and Drummond

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If I had said #21 and #37, that would be rote memorization. If you don't know 1, 3, and 16, you were likely promoted through elementary school without ever earning it.

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Are you claiming you remember every single thing you had to memorize in elementary school?

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I'm guessing this one's a little personal for you, am I right?

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Prior to this exchange, I wouldn't be able to name the 16th president if randomly asked. By next month, I will likely have forgotten that Lincoln was the 16th president. I can't name the 22nd president either. Judge accordingly.

You said presidential trivia or history is an interest of yours. I like to garden. If I asked you how many days it takes for a Cosmos seed to germinate, you probably wouldn't know the answer to that. I wouldn't consider that to be reflection of your intelligence or capacity to learn.

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You didn't use the term "lower SES." We were discussing the role of family in results, and you said SES is a great measurement of these factors.

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Apologies. I assumed everyone would already know that poverty is associated with lower outcomes than affluence.

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An association is not causation.

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Correct.

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There is an association of poverty (or synonymous lower SES) with counterproductive family dynamics.

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Correct.

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If you can’t tell me who the 1st, 3rd, and 16th presidents were

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Abraham Lincoln wasn’t my president libtard

I took one in the 90s to get into gifted (the Wechsler). It was a multi-day test, and it included different types of puzzles as well as a pencil and paper section. My son took the COGAT to get into gifted. They also use things like teacher assessments, which to my knowledge wasn’t applicable when I was a kid. I’m not sure why they moved away from a traditional IQ test.

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Prenatal Floor impacts on Intelligence (with IQ as a metric)

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Maternal Nutrition:
General Maternal Malnutrition (Severe Calorie/Protein Deficiency):
Impact: Severe lack of overall energy and protein impairs general fetal growth, including brain size and neuronal development.
Severe Deficiency: Can lead to general developmental delays and significant cognitive impairments, potentially a -5 to -15+ IQ point reduction in general cognitive function.

Specific:
Iodine Deficiency
Impact: Iodine is absolutely critical for the production of thyroid hormones, which are essential for fetal brain development, particularly neuronal migration and myelination. Severe deficiency is the leading preventable cause of intellectual disability worldwide.
Severe Deficiency (e.g., in iodine-deficient regions): Can lead to conditions like cretinism, resulting in profound intellectual disability (IQ often <70), representing a loss of 30-50+ IQ points.
Mild to Moderate Deficiency: Still associated with lower IQ scores (e.g., -5 to -15 IQ points) compared to optimal levels.

Folic Acid (Folate) Deficiency:
Impact: Critical for neural tube development. While primarily known for preventing neural tube defects (like spina bifida), folate also plays a role in brain development, DNA synthesis, and cell division.
Deficiency: Associated with an increased risk of developmental delays and cognitive deficits, potentially leading to a subtle but measurable reduction in IQ (-2 to -5 IQ points).

Iron Deficiency Anemia:
Impact: Iron is vital for oxygen transport to the developing brain and for neurotransmitter synthesis (especially dopamine). Maternal iron deficiency, particularly in the third trimester, can impair fetal brain myelination and neurodevelopment.
Deficiency: Linked to lower cognitive scores, altered brain function (e.g., poorer attention, memory), potentially resulting in a -3 to -7 IQ point impact on the child's later cognitive abilities.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids (DHA/EPA) Deficiency:
Impact: DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) is a major structural component of brain and retinal tissue. It's crucial for neuronal membrane fluidity, synaptic function, and overall brain growth, especially in the third trimester.
Deficiency: Linked to subtle neurodevelopmental deficits, including lower cognitive scores and poorer attention, potentially a -2 to -5 IQ point impact.

Maternal Health
Uncontrolled Diabetes (Gestational or Pre-existing):
Impact: Fluctuations in maternal blood glucose levels, high glucose, and associated inflammation can negatively affect fetal brain development, leading to structural and functional abnormalities.
Effect: Associated with an increased risk of cognitive and learning difficulties, potentially a -3 to -7 IQ point impact.

Maternal Infections (e.g., Rubella, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Toxoplasmosis, Zika, Syphilis):
Impact: Certain infections transmitted to the fetus can cause direct damage to the developing brain, leading to inflammation, tissue destruction, and malformations.
Effect: Depending on the infection and timing of exposure, impact can range from subtle deficits to severe intellectual disability (e.g., -5 to -50+ IQ points for severe cases).

Maternal Hypertension (High Blood Pressure):
Impact: Can restrict blood flow to the placenta, leading to reduced oxygen and nutrient delivery to the fetus (intrauterine growth restriction), impacting brain development.
Effect: Associated with lower birth weight and increased risk of cognitive and learning difficulties, potentially a -2 to -5 IQ point impact.

Maternal Thyroid Disorders (Hypothyroidism/Hyperthyroidism):
Impact: Uncontrolled maternal thyroid levels directly affect fetal brain development, as the fetus is dependent on maternal thyroid hormones early in pregnancy before its own thyroid functions.
Effect: Can lead to neurodevelopmental impairments, with deficiencies similar to iodine deficiency. A -5 to -15+ IQ point impact is possible if severe and untreated.

Severe Chronic Maternal Stress/Anxiety/Depression:
Impact: Elevated maternal stress hormones (like cortisol) can cross the placenta and affect fetal brain development, particularly areas involved in stress regulation and executive function.
Effect: Associated with altered brain structure, increased risk of attention problems, and potentially a -2 to -5 IQ point impact on later cognitive function.

Substance Exposure
Alcohol (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders - FASD):
Impact: Alcohol is a teratogen, directly toxic to developing brain cells. It can cause structural damage, disrupt neuronal migration, and impair neurochemical systems.
Effect: Ranges from subtle cognitive deficits (ARND) to severe intellectual disability (FAS). Average IQs for FAS often <70, representing a loss of 30-50+ IQ points. Even mild exposure can cause -5 to -15+ IQ points impact.

Illicit Drugs (e.g., Cocaine, Opioids, Marijuana, Methamphetamines):
Impact: Each substance has different mechanisms (e.g., disrupting neurotransmitter systems, affecting blood flow, causing withdrawal). All can negatively impact brain development.
Effect: Associated with altered brain structure/function, attention deficits, learning disabilities, and lower cognitive scores. The impact can vary widely but can lead to a -5 to -20+ IQ point impact depending on the substance, dose, and timing.

Nicotine (from Smoking/Vaping):
Impact: Nicotine is a neurotoxin for the developing brain, impairing brain development, altering neurotransmitter systems, and reducing oxygen supply due to carbon monoxide.
Effect: Linked to attention deficits, learning problems, and lower IQ scores, potentially a -3 to -7 IQ point impact.

Environmental Toxins
Lead Exposure:
Impact: A potent neurotoxin that can cross the placenta. It disrupts neurotransmission, impairs myelination, and causes neuronal damage.
Effect: Even low levels of prenatal lead exposure are linked to irreversible cognitive deficits, resulting in a -3 to -7 IQ point impact per certain exposure levels.

Mercury Exposure (especially Methylmercury):
Impact: High levels (e.g., from maternal consumption of contaminated fish) can severely damage the developing central nervous system.
Effect: Can cause significant developmental delays and cognitive impairments, potentially a -5 to -20+ IQ point impact depending on the level and timing of exposure.

Pesticides & Industrial Chemicals (e.g., PCBs, organophosphates):
Impact: Some chemicals are neurotoxic and can interfere with fetal neurodevelopment when maternal exposure is high.
Effect: Research has linked prenatal exposure to some of these chemicals to lower cognitive scores and developmental problems, potentially a -3 to -7 IQ point impact.

Severe Air Pollution Exposure:
Impact: Exposure to high levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and other pollutants during pregnancy can lead to neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in the developing brain, and even structural changes.
Effect: Emerging research suggests an association with lower cognitive scores and behavioral problems in children, potentially a -2 to -5 IQ point impact for chronic high exposure.

There are so many more than I was aware of previously, this is taking quite a interesting amount of effort, plan on updating this with each section.

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Birth to Early Childhood

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Ceiling Lowering Events
Severe Malnutrition:
Impact: Prolonged and extreme calorie/protein deficiency during this period (e.g., Kwashiorkor, Marasmus) can lead to impaired brain growth, reduced brain volume, fewer neurons, and disrupted myelination.
Estimated Change: Loss of 10 to 30+ IQ points, representing a lowering of the ceiling.

Severe Head Injuries/Traumatic Brain Injury:
Impact: Accidents, falls, or abuse leading to significant physical trauma to the developing brain. Can cause neuronal death, axonal damage, and impaired connectivity.
Effect: Direct physical damage to brain tissue, reducing the inherent processing capacity.
Estimated Change: Highly variable based on severity and location of injury, but can result in a loss of 10 to 50+ IQ points, representing a permanent reduction in potential.

Severe Untreated Childhood Neurological Conditions/Infections:
Impact: Conditions like severe, uncontrolled epilepsy; meningitis; or encephalitis during critical periods can cause widespread neuronal damage, inflammation, and scar tissue formation in the brain.
Effect: Disrupts the basic neurological architecture.
Estimated Change: Can lead to a loss of 10 to 40+ IQ points, significantly lowering the ceiling.

Chronic, High-Level Environmental Neurotoxin Exposure (e.g., Severe Lead Poisoning in Home, Mercury from Contaminated Food/Water):
Impact: Sustained high exposure to potent neurotoxins continues to damage developing neurons, interfere with neurotransmission, and disrupt brain connectivity during these formative years.
Effect on Ceiling: Causes cumulative, irreversible harm to the foundational brain systems.
Estimated Change: Loss of 5 to 15+ IQ points, depending on the toxin and severity/duration of exposure, reflecting a permanent ceiling reduction.

Floor impacting Brain Health
Quality of Nutrition:
Impact: Adequate intake of macronutrients (protein, healthy fats) and micronutrients (vitamins, minerals) essential for ongoing brain development, myelination, neurotransmitter synthesis, and energy.
Effect on Floor: Sub-optimal but not severe nutrition can lead to fatigue, reduced attention, and less efficient brain function. Optimal nutrition ensures peak performance.
Estimated Change: -2 to -5 IQ points for chronic sub-optimal intake, or +2 to +5 IQ points for ensuring optimal intake compared to average.

Parental Interactions & Home Environment Stimulation:
Impact: Rich language exposure ("word gap"), responsive parenting, reading to children, access to books and educational toys, encouragement of curiosity and exploration, emotional security. This is arguably the most powerful "Floor" factor in early childhood.
Effect on Floor: Directly shapes neural pathways, develops cognitive skills (language, problem-solving, executive functions), fosters emotional regulation, and instills a love for learning.
Estimated Change: Can account for a +10 to +20 IQ point difference between highly stimulating vs. cognitively impoverished home environments.

Quality of Early Childhood Education & Care (Preschool, Daycare):
Impact: Structured learning environments, social interaction, exposure to diverse concepts, and trained educators.
Effect on Floor: Provides systematic cognitive and social stimulation, builds foundational academic skills (pre-reading, numeracy), and promotes executive functions. High-quality preschool has shown lasting cognitive benefits.
Estimated Change: +3 to +7 IQ points for high-quality, sustained engagement, compared to no or low-quality care.

Chronic Stress & Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs):
Impact: Exposure to chronic stress (e.g., poverty, neglect, abuse, violence, parental mental illness/substance abuse) impacts brain areas involved in executive function, memory, and emotional regulation, and can lead to increased allostatic load.
Effect on Floor: Impairs the healthy development and optimal functioning of critical brain networks, leading to cognitive and behavioral difficulties.
Estimated Change: Loss of 5 to 15+ IQ points, due to sustained neurobiological impacts on the developing brain.

Physical Activity & Play:
Impact: Opportunities for gross motor skill development, active play, and outdoor exploration. Improves blood flow to the brain, supports neurogenesis, and aids in executive function development.
Effect on Floor: Contributes to overall brain health, attention, and cognitive flexibility.
Estimated Change: +2 to +5 IQ points by supporting optimal brain development and function, compared to a highly sedentary lifestyle.

Music and Musical Training
Impact: Learning music systematically strengthens a wide array of cognitive skills mentioned above. This makes the brain more efficient, adaptable, and robust. It's akin to a comprehensive workout for the brain, allowing an individual to better access and express their inherent cognitive potential. It builds cognitive reserve and can even mitigate age-related cognitive decline later in life.
Estimated Change: +3 to +7 IQ points: For children and adolescents who receive sustained, high-quality music training (e.g., several years of instrument lessons or choir), compared to those without. These gains are typically observed in specific cognitive domains like verbal intelligence, mathematical reasoning, working memory, and executive function, which then contribute to a higher overall measured IQ.

Bilingualism / Learning Multiple Languages:
Impact: Growing up in a bilingual or multilingual environment, or actively learning a second language from a young age, engages multiple cognitive processes. It forces the brain to constantly switch between language systems, inhibit irrelevant information, and manage different linguistic rules.
Estimated Change: Consistent exposure to and learning of two languages from an early age can contribute an effective +3 to +7 IQ points by boosting executive functions and general cognitive efficiency.

Emphasis on Unstructured and Imaginative Play:
Impact: While physical activity is important, the type of play matters. Unstructured, imaginative, and open-ended play (e.g., building with blocks, dramatic play, creating imaginary worlds) is vital for cognitive development.
Estimated Change: Prioritizing ample unstructured, imaginative play can contribute +3 to +7 IQ points by developing crucial executive functions and fostering flexible thinking.

I still need to read in full, but this is great stuff. Thanks for taking the time. Just from scanning, the context and presentation of this otherwise common sense but often overlooked or ignored stuff really gives it a new and impactful perspective.