Description: When Pepper Stetler was told that her daughter who has Down Syndrome would be regularly required to take IQ tests to secure support in school, she asked a simple question: why? In questioning the authority and relevance of the test, Stetler sets herself on a winding investigation into how the IQ test came to be the irrefutable standard for measuring intelligence. The unsettling history causes Stetler to wonder what influence this test will have over her daughter's future and whether Louisa should be taking it at all.
As she uncovers the history of IQ, exposing its roots in eugenics, racism, xenophobia, and ableism, Stetler realizes that the desire to quantify intelligence is closely tied to a desire to segregate society. She traces its legacy from inception to present day, where schools and society have adopted the IQ as shorthand for an individual's aptitude--in essence, their worth. Stetler questions how this rigid definition of intelligence has influenced who society holds up as successful and what we miss when we judge someone on their measured intelligence. A Measure of Intelligence investigates the origins and influence of the IQ test on our education system, questions how we define and judge intelligence, challenges its flawed foundation, and argues for a reevaluation of how we understand an individual's perceived potential.Brief description: Born with music in her veins, Ann Sprinkle was classically trained in voice and received her master's degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. As a professional opera singer, actor, and voice teacher, she worked many odd jobs and found herself in the academic world of medical education. She later became a speech language pathologist with a specialty in gender affirming voice and combined her love of music, voice, and education to help others. As a lifelong learner, she discovered audiobooks through her curious nature and love of science and true stories. A proud member of SAG-AFTRA with over fifty books recorded thus far, her favorite genres are nonfiction (self-improvement, growth, and development) comedies and mystery/thrillers, because the "truth is stranger than fiction!" In addition to audiobook narration, Ann is also the owner and founder of Viable Voice & Speech, LLC, where she provides voice and speech therapy services, including gender affirming voice training, professional speaking and coaching services, accent modification/English pronunciation services, and more. Additional information is available at viablevoice.com. When she's not working, she enjoys exploring trails with her scrappy hiking buddy (a rescue dog named Bear), yoga, learning about neuroscience and the mysteries of the world, and venturing to new places.