Gifted Education Commons^™

The Effects Of Acceleration On The Attitudes Toward And Achievement In Mathematics, Nancy Preece Mcgill

Graduate Research Papers

This study examined the affects of participation in accelerated mathematics classes on the attitudes toward and the achievement in mathematics of thirty-five seventh, eighth, and ninth grade students and their parents. The respondents, from a small rural school district, completed a survey consisting of an open-form question and ten statements designed to elicit perceptions regarding their attitudes toward and achievement in mathematics.

Results indicated that parental attitudes were significantly more positive than students as a result of participation. Results also showed that participation produced no harmful effects and, in fact, many respondents expressed a desire to continue taking accelerated classes. …

Academic Acceleration Of Gifted Children, Lisa Moldenhauer

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this paper is to examine academic acceleration. It looks at the rationale, different forms of acceleration, benefits, disadvantages, and guidelines that should be considered when accelerating. In addition, this paper examines teachers' beliefs and why they hold these beliefs concerning acceleration. Finally, the last chapter summarizes this study and draws conclusions from the literature and suggests recommendations for further study.

Acceleration Policies And Practices In Central Iowa, Patricia Ann Smith

Graduate Research Papers

This study explored acceleration practices throughout the country with a focus on the public and private schools of Area Education Agency (AEA) 11 in Central Iowa. Questions explored included the following: Do the school districts and private schools in AEA 11 allow for the academic acceleration of students in any form? Do they have written or implied unwritten policies for acceleration? What practices, if any, are currently employed by AEA 11 schools? What percentage of students in these schools engage in each type of acceleration? What criteria are used to select students for acceleration? How many acceleration experiences have had …

First Things First: A Collection Of Fifty Circle Discussion Topics, Brian Michael Weaver, Institute For The Development Of Gifted Education, Ricks Center For Gifted Children, University Of Denver

Ricks Curriculum Units Series

A collection of thought-provoking discussion topics for gifted middle school students. Each card asks questions around a broad theme.

Teaching Strategies And Resources For Gifted Middle School Student In Regular Education Classrooms, Meena Thukral

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of the project was to develop a resource and strategies manual that could equip middle school regular education teachers to teach gifted students in their classrooms. The resource manual includes various instructional strategies that address learning styles, differentiated curriculum, enrichment in the regular education classrooms, and thinking skills. It also includes a list of published books and Internet sites for teachers to share with other teachers, parents, and gifted students.

Meeting The Needs Of Gifted Students Through Teacher Inservicing, Amy M. Akers

Graduate Research Papers

Inservicing classroom teachers in compacting, independent study, and mentoring may help them become more effective in meeting the instructional needs of talented and gifted students. It is easier for teachers to apply learning if it is easily applicable to their own classroom instruction, and if the learning seems manageable for the teacher. This project includes an inservice model that contains applicable teaching strategies and an inservice plan for teachers. Teaching talented and gifted students through appropriate teaching strategies and becoming aware of these students' needs in the classroom can assure that students are challenged to realize their full learning potential. …

Building And Implementing A Program Review For Gifted Education In An Urban School District, Anna Mae Bagby

Graduate Research Papers

In June of 1996, the Board of Education of the Waterloo School District, which is considered an urban school district, requested that all externally funded programs be reviewed. This included the Expanded Learning Program (ELP). The emphasis was to determine strengths and needs of ELP and the needs of gifted students in the regular classroom. A committee was formed, composed of ELP staff and parents of identified gifted students, who developed surveys which were sent to all ELP parents (K-12), all identified students, (K-12), and selected classroom teachers and specialists (K-8). Data were compiled and summarized according to (1) major …

Writing A Defensible Personal Education Plan : Rationale And Design, Mary Kay Desenberg Johnson

Graduate Research Papers

Iowa requires documentation of qualitatively differentiated curriculum for identified talented and gifted students by schools using allowable growth funding. In response to this directive, a local special education Individual Education Plan (IEP) documentation format was modified to a Personal Education Plan (PEP) format for gifted learners.

Construction and refinement of the format continued over a seven year period. The use of the familiar IEP process seemed to afford credibility and was readily accepted by staff, parents, and administration. The PEP format held the program for gifted and talented to a high standard of accountability, and a six step model evolved …

Talented And Gifted Programs In The Middle School : Critical Components, Patricia R. Kayser

Graduate Research Papers

As middle school educators and teachers of the gifted and talented continue to debate issues such as equity vs. excellence, homogeneous vs. heterogeneous grouping, and cognitive vs. affective education, the needs of gifted and talented middle school students in the general education classroom appear to be ignored. This paper reviewed current literature relating to the needs of gifted and talented pre-adolescents in the middle school setting in order to determine what were the critical components necessary for meeting their unique needs in the general education classroom. From the reviewed literature, critical components identified include content differentiation, teaching strategies, grouping for …

Meeting The Needs Of The Learning Disabled-Gifted Child : A Problem Of Non-Identification, Jill R. Nooren

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to ascertain possible solutions to remedy the pervasive problem of the failure to identify and meet the needs of learning disabled-gifted children. Using a literature review, the writer sought to determine the characteristics of learning disabled-gifted children, perceived barriers to the identification of learning disabled-gifted children, and programming approaches that would best meet the needs of these unique learners.

The Power Of An Idea..., Illinois Mathematics And Science Academy

IMSA History

It is our privilege to share with you the First Decade Report of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, an educational laboratory engaged in serious inquiry about critical issues of teaching and learning.

Ten years ago, IMSA opened its doors with 210 students, 12 faculty members, 21 courses, no residence halls, no computers, no external programs, many unanswered questions and an uncertain future. During our early years, we faced many challenges; these strengthened our resolve and deepened our commitment to transform teaching and learning in mathematics, science and technology.

While IMSA is still a very young enterprise, in ten short …

Gifted Education And The Middle School Reform Movement : Finding The Basis For Collaboration Through Interdisciplinary Instruction, Sandra H. Christ

Graduate Research Papers

This review reflected on literature from gifted education and the middle school movement. Its purpose was to look for common beliefs as a basis for collaboration on interdisciplinary curriculum/instruction. Sources of information include personal observations and experiences, university library materials, and ERIC and World Wide Web searches.

A shared enthusiasm for interdisciplinary instruction and many of its benefits offers an encouraging sign for collaboration. Gifted education and the middle school movement share an understanding of the nature of interdisciplinary instruction and share the belief that students will benefit from higher achievement, increased connections, and strengthened learning concepts. However, caution is …

Rubric Assessment Of Defensible Qualitatively Differentiated Curriculum For Gifted And Talented Learners, Mary Meineke Schmidt

Graduate Research Papers

Few would argue that there are children in every classroom who seem to be one step ahead of their peers. What is a teacher to do with and for these individuals who exhibit abilities and corresponding needs far beyond the average? How will their needs best be met? The answer--through the provision of defensible qualitatively differentiated curriculum--is one of the simplest responses and yet one of the most complex issues in the education of the gifted and talented.

Meeting State Mandates For Gifted And Talented : A Survey Of Iowa Undergraduate Teacher Preparation Programs, Judy Carol Davison

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to identify the methods through which undergraduate teacher education programs in the State of Iowa are meeting the competency requirement as related to the education of the gifted and talented. The instrument used to accomplish the assessment was a survey questionnaire that was distributed to each of the 30 Iowa colleges and universities that offer teacher preparation programs.

Honors Programs: Development, Review, And Revitalization, C. Grey Austin

National Collegiate Honors Council Monographs

This is a monograph on the development and review of honors programs. Both subjects are treated in a single handbook because the materials presented here are useful in each process. The section on principles and practices of honors education in the United States (the overview) is background for those who would plan an honors program; for those who are reviewing and evaluating an existing program, the overview provides the means for educating those whose experience with honors is limited to the honors program of a single institution. It may add little or much to the director's knowledge, but it is …

Evaluating Honors Programs: An Outcomes Approach, Jacqueline Reihman, Sara Varhus, William R. Whipple

National Collegiate Honors Council Monographs

The evaluation of academic programs has always been a complex and sensitive issue. Evaluations are undertaken to determine which programs will survive in an era of straitened economic circumstances, to gain or maintain accreditation, or to tell us how our programs can be improved. They may apply some normative standard of quality, 0r address an academic program's unique situation and mission. They may include the following: review of budget, evaluation of staff, description of the program's operation, demonstration of faculty and student satisfaction, or measures of what students have learned. They may use standardized or locally developed tests of achievement; …

Activities In World History For Artistically Talented Students, Brenda Peck Oliver

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The unique characteristics and needs of artistically talented students were explored. World history students at the Douglas Anderson School of the Arts were used as a test group for the utilization of a variety of art forms in teaching world history. Lesson plans using art media for each unit of study in world history were constructed. Students responded to each lesson by completing an attitude survey. The conclusion was that the use of a variety of art in world history increased student interest and motivation. The increased student motivation resulted in a failure rate of approximately 5%, significantly lower than …

An American History Curriculum For Eighth Grade Gifted Students, Donna North Parrish

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The curriculum developed in this project was designed to meet the requirements of the Clay County gifted program. It provides a comprehensive American history curriculum, discovery through the Civil War, to promote mastery of the content area, increase involvement and interest of students in learning through the reduction of irrelevant and redundant material, and encourage individual initiative for one/sown investigations.

The program consists of a series of independent studies in which the teacher is a facilitator who sets the stage and encourages students' endeavors. The study units developed for this project include objectives representing all levels in Bloom/s Taxonomy.

The …

A Language Arts Based Curriculum Model For The Talented- Grade 6, Bruce Edward Holway

All Graduate Projects

An investigation into the cognitive and affective characteristics and needs of talented students has resulted in the creation of a working model for a language arts based curriculum for students in grade six. This project identifies the essential components of programs for the education of the academically talented and demonstrates how these ingredients interact in practice. The process for selecting concepts and related content in English, reading and social studies is explained. Suggestions for designing materials and for utilizing commercially prepared lessons are provided.

Developing A Guide To Implement A Program Through The Library Resource Center For Academically Talented At The Elementary Level, Linda Rash

All Graduate Projects

To provide for the unmet needs of the academically talented at Southgate Elementary School in Kennewick, Washington, a pull-out program was written and implemented through the library resource center. Research related to gifted/talented characteristics, identification and selection techniques, curriculum development, and teachers of the gifted was evaluated and applied to the program organization. Benefits of the program to students, parents, staff, and the cormnunity were numerous. Suggestions were made for application in other school settings using the developed guide as a resource.

A Sophomore World History Gifted Program: A Second-Tiered Curriculum, Franz Grossman

Masters Theses

The purpose of this field study is to describe the establishment of a second level of instruction in a Western World History course, offered in the sophomore year of the public high schools of Decatur, Illinois, District #61. This program of studies is designed to more fully develop the intellectual capabilities of students of high abilities, who may otherwise feel restrained as a member of a class containing many different academic levels. The curriculum seeks to aid students in developing more self-direction, confidence and historical awareness by various approaches of study of events, personalities of the past, dilemmas and conflicts …

Illinois Science Academy: A Proposal To The State Of Illinois, Corridor Partnership For Excellence In Education, Friends Of Fermilab

IMSA History

There is a widely recognized perception that the nation facing a crisis in fulfilling its needs for citizens trained in the fields of science, mathematics and technology. In particular, the State of Illinois has an obligation toward this national issue and to .its own need to develop these human resources that are so intimately coupled to economic leadership in a post-industrial society. This is a very broad challenge; here we propose to address only one important aspect: the nurturing of creative excellence in students of science and mathematics. We are concerned with the extraordinarily gifted person--the upper few tenths of …

Pattern And Mathematics: Math Enrichment Activities For Gifted Fourth, Fifth And Sixth Grade Children, Janet K. Zuber

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project is to provide assistance to the elementary math teacher in meeting the needs of the student gifted in the area of math. A collection of activities is provided to use with gifted intermediate students and should serve as an example of the type of activities appropriate for the gifted student. These activities would be most appropriately used with gifted students in grades four through six. The activities would be of greatest benefit if students were grouped in a homogeneous manner with one teacher taking responsibility for their math needs, Homogeneous grouping would allow for faster-paced …

Native American Handbook For Gifted Education, Karlene Rae George

All Graduate Projects

The author reviews the key problems associated with generally accepted practices for identifying, and providing programs, for the gifted Native American student. Culturally appropriate behavior of the Native American gifted is discussed and an outline for securing tribal input to the development of an identification process is suggested. The importance of using culture based definitions of giftedness and goals in the education of students so identified is stressed. Program options and models are presented which address the central issue of self-concept.

Identification Of Gifted/Talented Students And A Curriculum For Gifted/Talented Students At Lewis County High School, Vanceburg, Kentucky, Helen L. Smith

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

An applied project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Education Specialist at Morehead State University by Helen L. Smith on May 4, 1981.

Progressive Development And Implementation Of An Enrichment Program For Sixth Grade Students At Forsyth Grade School, Robert Ritter

Masters Theses

Objectives

The purpose of this field study was to develop an enrichment program for the sixth grade students at Forsyth Grade School. The major areas of concern addressed in this study were:

1. to arrive at a working definition of the gifted student.
2. to analyze why the 1980-81 6th grade class, and Forsyth students in general, appear to score higher than average on achievement and I.Q. tests.
3. to develop a means of identifying gifted students in the areas of math, science, and language arts.
4. to assure an enrichment program that would meet the needs of these "gifted" students.

Procedures

Students were …

Summer Enrichment Program For Academically Talented Students, Michael D. Gray

Masters Theses

This field study is written to serve as a guide for a summer enrichment program for academically talented students. The program as presented can be used in part or as a whole.

The study is presented in five chapters and appendices. The first chapter is the introduction. The second chapter is the research supporting the values of a summer enrichment program. The third chapter is the curriculum for the program and the fourth chapter is the finance needed to run the program. The fifth chapter is a conclusion. The appendices contains worksheets that can be used in the curriculum, letters …

Mt. Zion School District Gifted Elementary Reading/Language Arts Program, William D. Fancher

Masters Theses

Differentiated curricula for gifted and talented students are necessities for any school district which purports to serve the educational needs of all of its student population. During the 1980-81 school year, the Mt. Zion School District, Mt. Zion, Illinois, conducted a thorough investigation and began a total revision of its district-wide gifted program. Using a systems analysis approach to problem solving, a selected committee of administrators and professional staff conducted a needs assessment in order to determine the actual value of its existing program. Concluding that the existing program did not meet the needs of its gifted/talented youth, several alternatives …

An Advanced Studies Program For The Gifted Students At Arcola High School, Malcolm N. Fox

Masters Theses

The purpose of this field experience was to develop a workable and beneficial program of studies for those students at Arcola High School who are deemed to be gifted. Upon completion of the development of this program of studies, the writer chose to entitle the program developed, The Advanced Studies Program.

In defining the scope of and those who would be involved with, The Advanced Studies Program which he developed, the writer relied upon the definition of giftedness as set forth by the United States Office of Education. This definition appeared in the November, 1978 KAPPAN in an article written …

Reading Enrichment Activities For Gifted First, Second, And Third Grade Children, Beverly Staneart Doleac

All Graduate Projects

A teacher's manual of reading enrichment activities was developed for use by reading specialists. The manual contains activities geared towards primary-aged children reading at least two years above grade level. It is divided into four focal units, each based on a different area of children's literature. Bloom's Taxonomy at the higher levels is used to classify the specific learning activities suggested in the focal units. A children's bibliography is included for each unit. Teacher resources on the gifted are also listed.