Gifted Education Commons^™

Creativity: Interwoven In The Curriculum Or An Afterthought?, Amanda Bourne

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Students are identified as gifted and talented based on their abilities, including both academic and creative strengths. This study examined whether teachers foster creativity in their classroom, their perceptions of creativity, and how they incorporate creativity in their classroom. Using a mixed methods convergent parallel design, teachers at a K-8 school in the southeastern United States responded to questions about how they define creativity, how they incorporate creativity into the classroom, and their teaching practices, using the 45-item Creative Fostering Teaching Behaviour Index (CFTIndex). The study found that teachers implement practices in their classrooms that promote creativity, though there are …

Uncovering Potential: How Kentucky Districts Identify And Support Hispanic Students In Gifted And Talented Programs, Melanie Gilzene

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This qualitative study investigates the strategies and processes utilized by six school districts in Kentucky to identify Hispanic English Language Learner (ELL) students for gifted and talented services. Using interviews with gifted and talented coordinators, the research explores how certain Kentucky districts address challenges in traditional identification methods, such as language and cultural biases, through specific tools and practices. Key themes include the limitations of standardized assessments, the significance of professional learning and cultural competency training for educators, and the implementation of inclusive and equitable referral processes. The findings underscore the importance of culturally responsive assessments, local norms, and alternative …

Impact Of Teachers’ Perceptions On The Identification Of Gifted English Language Learners, Marissa Wilkerson

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This mixed methods study explored the research question “How do teachers' perceptions of giftedness influence their gifted identification practices of ELL students?” The research included 11 participants—six ESL teachers and five general education teachers—from six schools within the same district. Quantitative data showed that while both ESL and general education teachers expressed confidence in identifying giftedness in ELL students, ESL teachers demonstrated greater awareness and advocacy for nontraditional assessment methods and emphasized the importance of cultural considerations during identification. In contrast, general education teachers were less likely to view cultural differences as a factor. Both groups identified language barriers as …

Preservice Teachers' Perceptions Of Gifted Students' Characteristics And Needs, Courtney Warren

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Gifted students possess unique needs that require appropriately challenging opportunities to develop their advanced abilities. To meet these needs, gifted students must be correctly identified, which is often through teacher referral, thus subjecting the identification process to teachers’ knowledge and perceptions of giftedness. Teachers can also implement practices, such as differentiation, to meet gifted needs within their own classrooms. Thus, teachers must hold accurate perceptions of gifted students and their needs. However, teacher preparation programs often offer minimal training in giftedness. The purpose of the current study was to examine preservice teachers’ perceptions of gifted students’ characteristics and needs. Thirty-one …

Teacher Perceptions Of Gifted Middle School Students, Tom Wimsatt

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Middle school students who fall under the gifted and talented category are often perceived as being “self-sustaining, easy to handle” students. Research into the nature of gifted and talented students over the last 40+ years has proven otherwise, demonstrating a wide range of social and emotional issues as well as the need for advanced academic challenges. However, middle school teachers have shown mixed opinions about the specific needs of gifted and talented students, oftentimes seeing GT students at the middle school level to be less student and more “student helper”. This study was conducted to determine the current trends and …

Parent Experiences In Advocating For Their Advanced Children In Elementary Schools, Kathryn Adams

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The amalgamation of underachievement, underidentification, lack of state and national mandates and definitions, and the unique social, emotional, and academic needs of gifted and advanced students has resulted in a system fraught with issues that leave parents with the role of advocating for their child’s best interests at school. According to the National Association for Gifted Children, schools may not be completely effective in providing services for gifted children, leaving many parents feeling that their children’s needs simply are not being met (Harris, 2017). Parents of gifted or advanced children have noted several areas in which they feel unsatisfied with …

Teacher Background And Underrepresented Students In Gifted Education, Kayla Berg

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The underrepresentation of Black and Hispanic students in gifted education programs is a longstanding concern involving equity and access in educational systems. This qualitative research explores the complex factors influencing this disparity, focusing on the role of teacher perceptions in the identification process. Elementary and middle school teacher participants (N = 14) from a single school district provided interview data. Data collection focused on interviews with classroom and gifted teachers related to the three research questions. The research design was a multiple embedded case study.

First, the study investigated how teachers' perceptions of gifted characteristics vary based on personal experiences, …

Preassessment Data And Differentiation In Middle School Math Classrooms, Brittany Mitchell

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This research study investigates the use of preassessment data to guide differentiated instructional strategies in educational settings. Since there has been an increased awareness of diverse learning requirements among students, differentiated instruction has become a highly researched topic and proved to be an effective strategy used to address different learning modalities, interests, and levels of readiness. However, there has been little research aimed at differentiating for a middle school math classroom. In this study, qualitative methods are employed, and interview transcripts are the primary sources of data. Findings revealed that math teachers understand the benefits of preassessments and differentiation strategies, …

Understanding Administrators' Perceptions Of Gifted Ell Students, Abigail Eaton

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Students with gifts and talents are identified in school districts across the nation. However, there is severe underrepresentation of minority groups in gifted education programs, specifically students with ELL backgrounds. This issue is important because students from diverse backgrounds are the fastest growing group of the K-12 population. If the issue is not addressed, many talents will be overlooked and underdeveloped (Peters & Engerrand, 2016). The purpose of this study was to analyze administrators’ perceptions of gifted ELL students.

Participants in this study include six administrators from a small, rural district in Southcentral Kentucky. All of the administrators participated in …

Teacher Perceptions Of Advanced Ability English Language Learners (Ell), Dena Redmond

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study explored teacher perceptions of English language learners and giftedness. High school content teachers participated in an interview identifying behaviors that indicate advanced abilities from a series of three vignettes about English language learners. A total of four participants were interviewed. The four emergent themes were (1) critical thinking (2) rate of language acquisition, (3) motivation, and (4) use of language. The themes were behaviors that teachers perceived as demonstrating potential or demonstrating limited potential for advanced learning in English language learners.

Giftedness In Dance: Equitable Audition Procedures & Program Development, Lauren Case

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study explored the perspectives of dance specialists and gifted and talented resource teachers in a large school district in the southeastern region of the United States. Six educators who teach dance, work in auditioning and identification of gifted and talented dancers, and provide service options for gifted and talented identified dance students were interviewed in this qualitative study which focused on best practices in gifted and talented dance identification. Dance specialists’ perspectives of audition structures and characteristics of dance giftedness were examined. Three themes emerged from interviewees in this field of education: audition structures, opportunities and access of dance …

Educator Beliefs On Procedures For Identifying Gifted And Talented Students In General Intellect And Specific Academic Areas, Katherine Perraut

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study explored teacher beliefs regarding procedures used to identify students as gifted and talented in the areas of general intellect and specific academic areas. Measures were identified that educators indicated most effective for identifying gifted and talented students as well as the measures that educators felt were less effective in identification. Educators across one school district were given the opportunity to complete a survey and/or an interview in this mixed method study. Representatives from all grade and school levels have been represented in the data. This research study revealed themes related to bias in nomination, understanding gifted characteristics, choosing …

Finding Our Gifted English Language Learners, Lois Stokes

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study explored teacher referrals of English Language Learners (ELL) also called Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) students for gifted identification and services in a medium sized school district in the southern United States. Five educators who have successfully referred an ELL/CLD student were interviewed in this qualitative study. Discussion focused on teachers’ recognition of the characteristics of giftedness in these students, understanding teacher perceptions about ELL/CLD potentially gifted students, parent understanding and involvement, and training opportunities for finding gifted ELL/CLD students. Four main themes about how teachers find gifted ELL/CLD students for referral stemmed from the coded interviews: positive …

Anxiety Patterns In Gifted Adolescents From Parents' Perspectives, Felicia Moreschi

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study explores the connection between giftedness and anxiety. Families of gifted adolescents were invited to participate in a survey to identify themes of anxiety within the school and home settings. The Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale, parent report (Spence, 1999) was used as the survey instrument. A total of 18 participants responded. Several themes were revealed based on the responses to questions on the survey. The themes that emerged have been identified as patterns of anxiety, including separation anxiety, physical injury fears, and social anxiety.

The Impact Of Internally Designed Mathematics Differentiation System On Gifted & Talented 5th & 6th Grade Students, Svetlana Kovalkova-Mckenna

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Mathematical talent development in middle school is significantly impacted by students’ access to academic learning opportunities that include collaborative learning with similar ability peers and match student’s interests and level of ability instead of age and grade-level. Access to and participation in domain-specific gifted programs for mathematically talented students has a significant impact on the level of their future talent development, their social-emotional wellbeing, and opportunities later in life. The purpose of this mixed-methods non-experimental action research study was to explore the impact an internally designed mathematics differentiation system (provided in a multiple days per week pull-out format by school’s …

The Impact Of Teacher Perception Of Gifted Individuals On The Instruction Of Gifted Students, Justin Moreschi

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study explores the impact of teacher perception on the instruction and identification of gifted students. All certified teachers in a local elementary school were invited to complete a survey addressing the state of gifted training opportunities and personal perceptions of giftedness in multiple capacities. Results from the survey led to the discussion of four themes: the support for gifted students in the traditional classroom, the amount of professional training for teachers, the identification of gifted students, and the fact that all teachers impact gifted students and their instruction.

Differentiation For Gifted And Talented Elementary Students: What Teachers Know And Implement, Karyn Michelle Andrews

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this research was to measure the ways elementary school teachers are differentiating instruction for their gifted and talented students and to gauge their awareness of the need for implementing appropriate differentiation strategies they use in their classrooms. The study surveyed elementary teachers currently teaching in one large school district in Kentucky. Teachers responded to 38 survey items, indicating how often they use specific practices with their gifted students versus with their average-achieving students.

The results indicated that there is much work to be done to increase teacher awareness of the importance of differentiated instruction for gifted and …

Addressing The Needs Of All Learners: The Art Of Accommodation, Angelica Lynn Garnett

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Schools in Kentucky identify gifted students at a young age. Those students are labeled and should be provided with services based on their gifts throughout their educational career. It is the teacher’s duty to provide these services in their individual classrooms. This becomes progressively difficult as the student increases in grade level. Supporting teachers in their ability to recognize and manage the different levels in their classrooms does not always happen. The research question of this study focuses on how teachers meet the academic needs of gifted students in their classrooms in middle and secondary schools.

Participants included forty-four teachers …

Research Into Practice: Exploring Teacher Practices With Young Gifted Learners, Andrea Lauren Heming

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This research study investigates teacher practices with young gifted learners and provides recommendations to increase the effectiveness of the Primary Talent Pool through examination of the program as it is implemented in four Kentucky school districts. Gifted coordinators were interviewed and primary (kindergarten-third grade) teachers were surveyed. Though each school has different methods for meeting the needs of high potential learners, there are commonalities across all seven schools represented. The present findings indicate teachers feel confident in their ability to recognize high potential in academic areas. Teachers are comfortable using differentiation, and often differentiate to support gifted learners.

Educator Perceptions Of Gifted English Language Learners, Michelle C. Lynch

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This paper explores educator perceptions of gifted and talented (GT) English language (ELL) students. This study identifies barriers for identification and service for GT/ELL students and highlights ways to support students through current efforts for students who fit these criteria. Educators from two elementary schools were interviewed in this qualitative study. The schools were chosen due to their high population of ELL students. The roles of professional development (PD) and best practices for identification of underrepresented students are discussed. Five main themes emerged from interviews of educators that work with GT/ELL students. The themes are obstacles, perception, referral, professional development, …

Teacher Attitudes Towards Gifted Education In Rural School Districts, Jennifer Smith Sheffield

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine the attitudes of teachers in rural locales towards giftedness and gifted education. Gagné and Nadeau’s (1991) Opinions About the Gifted and Their Education was used as the survey instrument. A total of 78 teachers from four public school districts in Kentucky classified as rural participated in the study. The respondents indicated slightly positive attitudes toward the need for specialized instruction for gifted students and the social value of giftedness but slightly negative mindsets towards acceleration. These results as a whole mirrored the findings of several previous studies utilizing the same survey instrument. …

Student Transition At A Residential Stem School, Olivia Kaitlin Gatten

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The goal of this qualitative study was to gain insight into which personal factors most affect student adjustment in a state residential STEM school. Factors from Tinto’s Model of Institutional Departure were used as the framework to capture the transition of gifted high school students from traditional high school to The Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky, a statewide residential STEM school. Tinto’s Model predicts college persistence using pre-existing individual characteristics and institutional experiences. These qualities and experiences were used to form questions about student traits and transition. Questionnaires were administered to Gatton Academy first-year students, …

Meeting The Needs Of Gifted Students By Providing Year-Long Professional Development On Differentiated Instruction, Barbara M. Rollins

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study focused on how teachers' planning and teaching methods changed after they acquired more confidence in applying differentiated strategies in their instructional units. Teachers were given a questionnaire about their skills, qualifications and teaching beliefs comparing teaching general education students and gifted education students within the typical classroom setting. Then teachers received several professional development opportunities within the school year exposing them to different forms of differentiation. Time was given between trainings so that teachers would have ample time to integrate what they learned into their planning and instructional design. At the end of the study, teachers were given …

Effects Of Professional Development On Using Differentiated Instruction With Gifted And Talented Students In The Library Media Center, Kristi Lynn Hayes

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Library media specialists (LMSs) have a unique position within a school, which is the opportunity to reach out to every student, especially to gifted and talented students who can benefit from having more advocates within their learning communities. Collaborating with other education professionals is beneficial to all students and many library media specialists already make this a normal part of their job responsibilities. The LMSs who are participants of Project CATALYST (Collaboration among Teachers and Librarians Yields Successful Teaching) are required to collaborate with classroom teachers in order to provide more enriching opportunities for students when they come to the …

Development Of A Math Interest Inventory To Identify Gifted Students From Underrepresented And Diverse Populations, Gabrielle M. Snow

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The current investigation supports the objectives of Project GEMS (Roberts, 2008), a grant funded program whose objectives include the development and validation of a protocol to identify students from underrepresented and diverse populations as gifted in the content areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Identification of students from low-income and diverse populations as gifted has been a struggle with current assessment techniques (Baldwin, 2005). Project GEMS aims to address this problem through development of interest measures specific to the STEM areas for use within an identification protocol. The current project developed a measure to assess interest in mathematics. The …

Identifying Gifted Students In Science, Andrea Cary Zirkelbach

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Currently, there is no standard protocol to identify students who are gifted in science. If students are identified as gifted early on in elementary school, teachers and parents can foster their interest, increasing the students’ knowledge, value, and affect as well as their willingness to re-engage science (Eccles & Wigfield, 2002; Gottfried & Gottfried, 1996; Häussler 1987; Neber & Schommer-Aikins, 2002; Osborne, 2003; Schunk, Pintrich, & Meece, 2008). In this study, a brief student identification form was developed for elementary school teachers to complete. The form was based on Hidi and Renninger’s (2006) four-phase model of interest development. The form …

Effects Of A Summer Program On The Academic, General, And Emotional Self-Concepts Of Gifted Students, Lindy Settle

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Academic, general, and emotional self-concepts were measured among 140 gifted students at a residential academic summer program. The literature is conflicting concerning the positive (Humes & Campbell, 1980; Kolloff & Moore, 1989) and negative (Olszewski, Kulieke, & Willis, 1987) effects of the participation of gifted students in such programs. Three main hypotheses are posited: First, the academic, general self, and emotional self-concepts of gifted students would increase in the time spent at a summer program. Second, there would be no gender differences found in the areas of academic and general self-concept, but predicted gender differences for emotional self-concept. Third, previous …

Comparative Instructor Attitudes Toward College Level English And Mathematics Experiences For Gifted High School Students, Bruce Vickers

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Samples derived from a mailed questionnaire were compared. The sample represented high school, community college and university instructors of mathematics and English. The Kentucky public schools sampled were equally represented among high school, community colleges and universities. The research indicated that of those instructors sampled a very high percentage (97.7%) feel that those high school students shown to be academically gifted would benefit from a college experience before high school graduation. The attitudes of those instructors sampled indicated that multiple criteria – grades, recommendations, standardized test scores and personal interview – were considered the preferred method of selection (82.5%). The …

The Relationship Among Subtest Scores On The Structure Of Intellect-Learning Abilities Test, Teacher Assigned Grades & Standardized Measures Of Achievement For A Population Of Gifted Students, Randy Rhoad

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship, among gifted students, between scores obtained on the Structure of Intellect-Learning Abilities (SOI-LA) test and two measures of achievement: teacher assigned grades and scores obtained on the Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills (CTBS). This study was based on the assertion that academic abilities should be linked to specific cognitive abilities measured by the SOI-LA subtests. Significant, positive relationships between academic abilities and SOI-LA subtest scores would imply that curricula based on the Structure of Intellect theory, in areas identified as deficient by the SOI-LA tests, may increase achievement among the …