Gifted Education Commons^™

The Pósa Method: Students' Perceptions Of Hungarian Mathematics Pedagogy, Lauren Seidl

Senior Theses

This study examines the reactions and experiences of students who are educated under the Pósa method, a Hungarian mathematics pedagogy previously employed in mathematics camps designed for gifted students. The focus of this research was to analyze the experiences of students in a Pósa method class in Budapest, Hungary. The holistic approach of gathering historical, qualitative, and analytical data pursued answers to the subsequent three research questions that guided the study: What do the students at Petrik School think about the Pósa method? What do the students in the Pósa method class think about math? What do the students’ and …

Perspectives In Gifted Education: Influences And Impacts Of The Education Doctorate On Gifted Education Ii, Norma L. Hafenstein, Joi Lin, Mary Albertoni, Kim Bowers

Perspectives in Gifted Education

Perspectives in Gifted Education is a monograph series published through the University of Denver, first by the Institute for the Development of Gifted Education and now, through the Office of the Daniel L. Ritchie Endowed Chair in Gifted Education. Volume 1 was focused on Young Gifted Children, Twice-Exceptional Children was the topic of Volume 2 and Complexities of Emotional Development, Spirituality and Hope, the topic of Volume 3. Volume 4 was organized around the issues of Diverse Gifted Learners and Creativity the focus on Volume 5. Impact on Practice: Influences of the Education Doctorate o2n Gifted Education, as Volume 6, …

Identification Process Of Black And Hispanic Students In Elementary Gifted Education, Verschello Maria Nelson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A substantial disparity exists between the proportion of students of color, (SOC), compared to White students in gifted and talented (GT) education. The problem of SOC not being proportionately identified for the GT program relative to the total school population at a Southeastern U.S. suburban school district was the problem addressed in this study. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to identify educators’ perspectives of how the GT identification process supports or hinders the identification of SOC. Using Warne’s theory of GT identification, and Renzulli’s theory of intelligence, the research questions focused on educators’ perspectives of how the …

Promoting Privilege: Selecting Students For A Public Gifted School, Douglas G. Wren

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

Point of view: I am a cisgender, White male in my sixties. I retired recently after working with children in a professional capacity since the mid-1970s. During my education career, I was an elementary school teacher, gifted teacher, research specialist, and director of research and evaluation in a historically White school district that became majority African American during my tenure.

Value of submission: Numerous educational policies and procedures in the United States benefit children from privileged families over their traditionally underserved counterparts, which include students of color and low-income students. This piece describes a public school district’s inequitable practices related …

Impact Of Internet Connection On Gifted Students’ Perceptions Of Course Quality At An Online High School, Stacy Hawthorne

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Online learning is on the rise in K-12 education and, with the lockdowns and social distancing measures implemented as a result of COVID-19, has gained increased prominence. While the demand for online learning is on the rise, many U.S. students lack adequate Internet connectivity to have a successful online learning experience. Connectivity issues, particularly when they impact audio, can cause students to tune out or even drop out of online learning. This is problematic for online schools and course providers who often have no control over the speed of a student’s home Internet connection. Online schools also have to balance …

Perceptions Of K-12 Teachers On The Cognitive, Affective, And Conative Functionalities Of Gifted Students Engaged In Design Thinking, Krista M. Stith, Mistie L. Potts, Lisa Davia Rubenstein, Kathryn L. Shively, Robyn Spoon

Journal of STEM Teacher Education

Gifted students are our nation’s natural resource of technological inventors and innovators, but oftentimes do not receive differentiated instruction in technology/engineering design learning environments. This is not negligence or lack of care by the instructor, but a national issue of not sufficiently providing pre- and in-service teachers with formal training opportunities in gifted education. The purpose of this study was to understand the perceptions of K-12 teachers, trained in gifted education pedagogy and the Design Thinking Model (DTM), after their gifted students engaged in design thinking activities. Fifteen K-12 educators of different content areas reflected in focus groups upon how …

College Choice Decisions: An Analysis Of University Honors Students, Thomas Tyler Clark

Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to analyze the importance of various institutional attributes in the college-choice process of honors students. The study surveyed honors students (N = 279) currently enrolled in an honors college at one university. Students rated 51 items on the degree of importance in their college decision. An exploratory factor analysis was used to determine the underlying factors in the college-choice process.

The results indicated that cost was the most important issue students considered when determining an institution to attend. Cost of attendance and financial assistance offered were followed by quality of course instruction, safety on …

Early Childhood Educator Knowledge: An Exploratory Study Regarding Giftedness And Students Of Color, Stephanie A. Peralta

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine general early childhood educator knowledge and perceptions of curricula relevant for early childhood gifted students of color. The research questions that guided the study were the following: How does preschool through second grade curricula support or impede academic success for gifted students of color? How does preschool through second grade curricula support or impede social emotional learning for gifted students of color? What are the perspectives of educators regarding inclusive practices including Critical Race Theory, within a preschool through second grade gifted curricula?

In reviewing the literature and national data concerning representation …

Nurturing Excellence: A Case Study Of High School Learning Environments For The Gifted, Ryan A. Mcclintock

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The nuanced and complex cognitive and social-emotional needs of high school gifted learners are not sufficiently met through accelerated coursework like Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate alone. Addressing their needs requires the design, implementation, and leadership of programming that maximizes their agency, curiosity, and confidence. Such programming should be fully modern in its conception and allow gifted high school students to construct and share products of their learning with respect to issues of global importance. The purpose of this study was to explore high school learning environments designed to maximize the agency, confidence, and curiosity of gifted and talented secondary …

Letters From A Gifted Educator In Georgia, Heather Holley

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation is a collection of letters from me as I explored the significance of the current standardized curriculum milieu on gifted learners’ educative opportunities in a public elementary school. The inquiry drew information of gifted learners’ characteristics and educative, affective, and social needs from the works of Gagné (Gagné, 1985, 2000, 2005), Renzulli and Renzulli & Reis (Reis & Renzulli, 1997, 2010; Renzulli, 1986, 2012; Renzulli & Reis, 1997). I also drew from Gallagher (2000, 2003, 2004, 205, 2015) and Sapon-Shevin (1996, 2003) for information on the political implications of gifted education. The study employed currere(Pinar & Grumet, …

Understanding The Learning & Advocacy Needs Of A Twice-Exceptional Student Through A Strengths-Based Lens: A Case Study In California, Lisa Krausz

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

Twice-exceptional students possess both high ability and learning disabilities. The complex interaction of their gifts and disabilities perplexes both educators and parents. Educators often use a deficit approach when working with these learners; new research calls for multi-dimensional, strengths-based approaches to engage these students. Strengths-based approaches draw upon student strengths, interests, and talents to help address their disabilities. In this study, information was gathered from a mixed-methods, strengths-based approach to gauge a student’s strengths, interests, talents and disabilities to add to the research on traditional assessment and intervention approaches. The researcher also explored how parents’ understanding of their child aligned …

Teacher And Student Perceptions Of Pedagogical Practices On Gifted Student Motivation, Chloe M. Pappas

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This thesis explored teacher and student perceptions of classroom pedagogical practices as they may impact gifted children's motivation to learn. Because engaging gifted students can be uniquely challenging, teachers may need to tailor the teaching and learning experience to motivate them in ways that encourage them to succeed to their full potential. This exploratory study examined relationships among various pedagogical practices employed by a teacher and gifted student motivation. Ultimately, results of this study may lay a foundation for best practices for teaching gifted students.

A Change Plan For Underachieving Gifted Children, Jason Major

Dissertations

There exists a population of gifted and talented students for whom the educational system does not service. These children are often either from poverty or minority backgrounds, or sometimes so profoundly smart that schools simply do not know what to do with them or where they fit in. This change plan explores the opportunity for a school just for these students, where they can study free of hindrances of standards and acceleration. After research and interviews with members of the field of gifted, there may not currently be such a model anywhere in our country. Schools do exist for gifted …

Understanding The Learning & Advocacy Needs Of A Twice-Exceptional Student Through A Strengths-Based Lens: Review Of The Literature, Lisa Krausz

Scholarship and Engagement in Education

Twice-exceptional students possess both high ability and learning disabilities. The complex interaction of their gifts and disabilities perplexes both educators and parents. Educators often use a deficit approach when working with these learners; new research calls for multi-dimensional, strengths-based approaches to engage these students. Strengths-based approaches draw upon student strengths, interests, and talents to help address their disabilities. They also call for the involvement of parents and the student herself in the process of better understanding and meeting the student’s needs. Collaboration is a key component of strength-based approaches. While parents are key advocates for their special needs children, many …

What Do Parents Really Want? Parent Perspectives On Gifted Education, Ryan Mccreary

Education Dissertations and Projects

In this research study, the correlation between the strategies that previous research had indicated as effective for gifted education and the programming sought by parents of gifted children was examined. Survey results and interviews with parents revealed several strategies that parents wanted to be implemented in gifted education as well as powerful practices that would enhance gifted education if implemented by school leaders. The problem of underachievement among gifted students is also discussed as well as strategies to reverse it.

Investigation Of Teacher Perceptions Of Gifted Education: How Teacher Perceptions Influence The Use Of Specific Research-Based Teaching Strategies Tailored To Challenge Learning In Ag Students, Ian Robert Olsen

Education Dissertations and Projects

The research study examined teacher perceptions of gifted instruction. It focused on teacher perceptions of the needs of gifted students; teacher confidence in adapting instruction to meet the needs; and teacher perceptions of which research-based instructional strategies are best implemented. The purpose of this study was to determine if AG teacher perceptions of instructional strategies influence the implementation of them. This study combined literature research, survey data, and interview data all shedding light on the need to improve academic instruction for all AG students (Bangel, Moon, & Capobianco, 2010; Manning, 2006; McKinsey & Co., 2009). The research and data demonstrated …

Online Teacher Professional Development For Gifted Education: Examining The Impact Of A New Pedagogical Model, Matthew J. Edinger

School of Professional and Continuing Studies Faculty Publications

This paper theoretically develops and examines the outcomes of a pilot study that evaluates the PACKaGE Model of online Teacher Professional Development (the Model). The Model was created to facilitate positive pedagogical change within gifted education teachers’ practice, attitude, collaboration, content knowledge, and goal effectiveness. Kirkpatrick and Kirkpatrick’s (2006) model of training evaluation suggests that trainees should evaluate the training for satisfaction at the time the training is completed, as well as six months after, to evaluate for behavior change. Applying Kirkpatrick and Kirkpatrick’s (2006) model, findings indicate that teachers were immediately satisfied with the Model’s effectiveness, adequacy and overall …

"That's Empowering!": The Influence Of Community Activism Curriculum On Gifted Adolescents' Self-Concepts, Ashley D. Beason-Manes

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The first of the following manuscripts addresses the experiences of a group of gifted middle school students as they engaged in community action projects that provided them opportunity to become activists in their school, neighborhood, and larger community. This study pays special attention to participants’ self-concepts as measured by the Harter Self-Perception Profile for Children (2012) and through participant interviews. The study finds evidence of students’ co-cognitive components of giftedness when themes of courage, sensitivity to human concerns, and sense of destiny are applied. Main themes from Harter’s scale are also applied, and participant interviews reveal evidence of academic and …

Not What, But Who: Controlled Choice In Gifted Education Programs In The United States, Robert T. Zipp ,' 18

#CritEdPol: Journal of Critical Education Policy Studies at Swarthmore College

Gifted education’s most pressing problem, according to its critics, is a lack of racial, cultural, and socioeconomic diversity. This lack of diversity can be attributed to the fractured nature of gifted education’s historical development, and the also fractured development of its very independent and numerous stakeholders. By the 20th century, these factors caused an overreaching regulatory structure to be practically infeasible. This policy proposal attempts to push back against historical precedent and begin a process of implementing overarching guidelines for gifted education programs in the United States based on a Controlled Choice model of admissions for gifted and talented pro-grams …

Opening The Gates Of A Gate Program: A Mixed Methods Study Of Recruitment Processes And Retention Practices In One Multicultural Middle School, Marie Lynette Aldapa

LMU Theses and Dissertations

The under-representation of racial minority students in Gifted and Talented Education (GATE)programs has been an issue with little to no resolution (Ford, 2002). These under-represented racial minority groups are experiencing the obstacles of discrimination. Ogbu’s (1987) observation offers a framework distinguishing minorities: voluntary and involuntary. Researchers report on the under-representation of “involuntary” minority groups (McBee, 2006).

Researchers have offered keys to opening the gates of GATE programs to bring about racial equity. Recruitment processes: alternative assessments and teacher referrals are available to identify minority GATE students (Elhoweris, Mutua, Alsheikh, & Holloway, 2005). Retention practices: racial diversity of gate teachers, culturally …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Effectiveness Of Academic Acceleration, Christy L. Schwartz

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Acceleration is one method of differentiating instruction for gifted students that has proven to have positive academic and social-emotional benefits. However, it is often underutilized by teachers and administrators either due to misinformation or lack of information. The purpose of this study was to determine the perceptions held by teachers regarding the effectiveness of acceleration as a service option for students who are gifted. Findings indicated that, although teachers appear to be well-informed about the benefits of acceleration on academic achievement and engagement, they appear to be misinformed about the social-emotional effects of acceleration. The majority of teachers indicated that …

Ability And Performance Comparisons Of Gifted Students In Homogeneous And Heterogeneous Settings, Cindy Rochelle Schwartz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

To meet the educational needs and acceleration of talented and gifted (TAG) students, it is important to determine the best learning environment to afford optimal academic success during their educational experience. A study at a Bartow County school district in Georgia has been conducted in order to establish this best learning environment. This study investigated if Lexile scores (ability) and academic averages (performance) differ for 6th grade TAG students in homogeneous classes compared to TAG students in heterogeneous settings. Vygotsky's theory of social constructivism, which proposes that students need to feel socially and cognitively supported by their environment, was the …

Gifted Education In Rural Schools, Paige E. Yeager

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This report is a summary of the observations and data collected during twenty hours of field work and observation. This project focuses on one child, identified as gifted, in a rural school district with limited resources. The report discusses the student’s current level of performance, analysis of the developmental domains (cognitive, language, social, emotional, and motor), accommodations and modifications used by the student’s teachers, guidelines determined by the State of Ohio and the W. Local School District, alignment to the state requirements, and suggestions for the improvement of the student’s educational experience. The report will explain how the student is …

The Gifted Dimension Of The Australian Professional Standards For Teachers: Implications For Professional Learning., Lesley Henderson, Jane Jarvis

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

The Australian Curriculum (ACARA, 2016, v.8.2) acknowledges that gifted and talented students are diverse and require educational provisions that meet their special needs. However, without professional learning in gifted education, teachers are ill-equipped to understand, identify and provide for gifted students. This paper reviews the literature in the field to argue for consideration of a ‘gifted dimension’ as an elaboration of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (AITSL, 2011). As all teachers will teach gifted and talented children, it is important to define the elements of quality teaching that are inclusive of high ability students in the Australian context and …

Gifted Students: Perceptions And Practices Of Regular Class Teachers, Tracy Taylor

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The purpose of this research was to examine provision of differentiated learning experiences for gifted students in regular classes in Western Australian primary schools. Specifically, it was intended to explore differentiation strategies used with gifted students, issues faced by teachers in their efforts to provide for their gifted students, and teachers’ suggestions on solutions for these issues.

Presently reality in Western Australia is that gifted primary students spend at least 90% of their time at school in regular classes. Therefore, the regular class teacher’s role in implementing appropriate learning opportunities for these students is critical. Relevant literature clearly identifies the …

Perspectives On Equity In Gifted Education, Karen A. Kraeger

Dissertations, Theses and Capstone Projects (Full IR Collection)

Increasing pressures of accountability in education and calls for equity make gifted education a controversial topic. While much has been written about certain aspects of equity, such as underrepresented groups in gifted education, little research has examined a more complex view of what makes a gifted education program equitable. More specifically, there was no research combining perceptions of the different aspects of equity in gifted education-access, participation, and benefit.

This qualitative study used grounded theory to establish a coherent understanding of the current perspectives on equity in gifted education. Drawing on gifted specialists at the local, regional, and state level, …

Dare To Care: Teaching Leadership To Gifted Students, Sarah E. Fox

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

This thesis details the creation and execution of the class “Dare to Care: Teaching Leadership to Gifted Students,” which was offered through a Saturday enrichment program to gifted middle school students. The class combined the study of leadership skills with the idea of being a change agent—a leader who uses his or her abilities to make a positive difference. This thesis documents the lesson plans of the class and students’ reactions to each lesson.

Parting Thoughts - So Much More To Discover, Eric L. Mann

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Perceived Classroom Management Needs Of Pre-Service Teachers, Nielsen Pereira, Jillian Gates

Kentucky Teacher Education Journal: The Journal of the Teacher Education Division of the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children

A disconnect exists between pre-service teachers’ expectations concerning classroom management course content and the reality of teaching in an elementary school. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceived needs of pre-service teachers in a classroom management course for elementary education majors at a Midwestern university.

Gifted Learners And Mathematical Achievement: An Analysis Of Gifted Instructional Models, Lezley Anderson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this causal-comparative study was to examine whether differences exist in the mathematics achievement of fifth grade gifted students based on the instructional delivery model used for mathematics instruction, cluster or collaborative, as defined by the Georgia Department of Education. The content area of mathematics, an area susceptible to underachievement among gifted learners, was investigated using archival data from a sample of 67 participants from rural Southwest Georgia over three academic years. The STAR Math assessment and the Georgia Criterion-Referenced Competency Test (CRCT): Math assessments were used to measure overall mathematics achievement. The subscales on the CRCT were …