Gifted Education Commons^™

Do Honors Programs Make A Difference During The First Year Of College? The Development Of Critical Thinking Skills And Exposure To Good Practices In Undergraduate Education, Amanda Kay Moore

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This longitudinal study analyzed pretest-posttest data to 1) examine the influence of honors programs on first-year college students' critical thinking skills, 2) to determine whether students in honors programs receive more exposure to good practices in undergraduate education than their non-honors peers, and 3) to assess the effect of good practices on critical thinking. The quasi-experimental study also investigated whether the influence of honors programs on critical thinking skills varied in direction and magnitude for male versus female students and White versus students of color. To replicate an earlier study conducted by Seifert et al. (2007), the current study utilized …

Preparing Students For Careers That Do Not Yet Exist, Glenn W. "Max" Mcgee

Publications & Research

The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA), as a self-described "teaching and learning laboratory for imagination and inquiry," has a history of pursuing innovations closely aligned with the vision and framework of the National Science Education Standards. Innovations include both methods and materials for inquiry-based student instruction as well as for delivering professional development for pre-service and practicing teachers. Instructional innovations described include yearlong student inquiry and research projects (SIR), self-paced physics instruction, student-driven energy and engineering projects, instruction in innovation and entrepreneurialism, and a host of student-led outreach activities to "ignite and nurture creative, ethical, scientific minds of students …

The Effects Of Problem-Based Learning In Math And Science On High Potential Elementary School Students, Tracy Ford Inman

Dissertations

This study explored the effects of problem-based learning (PBL) on growth in both math achievement and science process skills within a sample of high potential and high ability students in grades 3 through 6, particularly students from low socio-economic (SES) backgrounds. Six elementary schools were assigned to one of three treatment groups: (a) PBL instruction in math and science in ability-grouped target classes and one-day-a-week magnet program; (b) PBL instruction in math and science in ability-grouped target classes; and (c) non-PBL instruction in math and science as a control group. Stemming from data gathered in Project GEMS (Gifted Education in …

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 …

Effective Legislative Advocacy, Glenn W. "Max" Mcgee

Publications & Research

Fighting for state funding for educating the gifted and talented is an annual battle in our great state. It is time for all of us to work smarter (and harder) to develop a statewide advocacy campaign. Participants in this session will learn from experienced advocates how to work effectively with state legislators and other key policy makers to develop long-term relationships and compelling messages that will resonate in our communities and our Capitol.

Assessing High School Gifted Student Progress In Science Through Misconceptions And Mosart, Christopher G. Kolar, Evelyn Ho-Wisniewski

Publications & Research

This paper reports how 188 high school students identified as gifted in science were assessed with the Misconceptions-Oriented Standards-Based Assessment Resource for Teachers (MOSART). Students enrolled in a year-long science-centered curriculum where this instrument appeared to be a means of identifying standards-aligned progress, avoiding ceiling effects and reliance on content mastery. This paper discusses two questions: 1. Is the MOSART a valid measure of conceptual understanding in gifted students? and 2. Can the MOSART be used with this population to measure growth in understanding? We present results from the physics and chemistry tests, and consider results from the earth science …

Specialized Science High Schools: Exploring Contributions Of The Model To Adolescent Talent Development Specialized Science, Christopher G. Kolar, Tracy L. Cross, Rena F. Subotnik, Paula Olszewski-Kubilius

Publications & Research

As the field of gifted education shifts much of its focus to domain-specific talent development, specialized science high schools are taking their place on the stage. Back in 1981,Bloom and Sosniak argued persuasively that talent development cannot take place exclusively in schools. They stressed that schools were not prepared to offer the required levels of expert teaching, time, and effort. Yet, specialized science high schools, by design, are staffed with teachers with advanced degrees, offer relatively flexible schedules, interested peers,reasonable access to appropriate technology, and connections with research institutions to provide apprenticeships for the most motivated and interested students.

“Foreward.” Programs And Services For Gifted Secondary Students: A Guide To Recommended Practices., Stephanie Pace Marshall

Publications & Research

The case is made that differentiated education for gifted students is essential to their development. Our national policy toward gifted students cannot be "make it on your own." Talent must be ignited, nurtured and sustained by design through wise, knowledge-based policies and innovative best practices.

Attitudes Of Gifted Children, Christy Folsom

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Gifted Education Exposure In Introductory Special Education Texts: Quantitative Text Content Analysis, Sandra Kay Hansen Wentworth

Dissertations

This present study was designed to examine and compare 10 introductory special education textbooks used in mandatory introductory special education courses. The percentage of text devoted to gifted education chapters in comparison to specific learning disabilities, behavior disorders, mental retardation, autism spectrum disorders, and speech/language/communication disorders was explored for statistically significant differences. Paired samples t tests were conducted to analyze the data. A statistically significant difference was found between the coverage of gifted education and autism spectrum disorders among the 10 examined texts. No other significant statistical findings were found between various exceptionalities among the 10 examined texts. The prevalence …

Incidental Illuminations And Inspirations: Creativity Quotes For The Inquisitive, Institute For The Development Of Gifted Education, Ricks Center For Gifted Children, University Of Denver, Rivian Segal Bass

Ricks Curriculum Units Series

A set of inspirational creativity cards for gifted learners.

Larry Math Cards, Larry Hillman, Institute For The Development Of Gifted Education, Ricks Center For Gifted Children, University Of Denver

Ricks Curriculum Units Series

Larry Hillman - teacher, mentor, and mathematician, was the creator of the mathematical problems found within the Institute for the Development of Gifted Education's publication, Larry Math Cards. Larry taught at the middle school level at the Ricks Center for Gifted Children on the University of Denver campus from 1999 until his death in 2002. He was passionate about teaching gifted learners and his students knew him to be a uniquely brilliant scholar and a stimulating educator. He enlightened their understanding of mathematics as his questions challenged their assumptions and his encouragement fueled their ambitions.

Larry loved joining his …

Exploring Gifted Education Programs, Services, And Practices In Islamic Schools In The United States, Fatma Anwer Khamis Al-Lawati

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study explored the state of gifted education in Islamic schools in the United States, focusing on school organization and elementary school teachers' practices in planning and implementing instructional and curricular experiences for gifted students and average students. The study utilized mixed methods, combining quantitative and qualitative data. Surveys addressed teacher practices and obtained information about resources available for gifted students in Islamic schools. A focus group method was employed to understand better teachers' practices with gifted students.

The study involved 32 principals and 157 teachers. Five schools participated in the focus group discussions. Descriptive statistics were used to report …

Early Childhood Thematic Unit: A 32-Week Curricular Resource: Fairy Tales - Insects - Dinosaurs, Institute For The Development Of Gifted Education, Ricks Center For Gifted Children, University Of Denver

Ricks Curriculum Units Series

An integrated curriculum is an instructional approach that connects the disciplines to an underlying theme or topic. Immersing students in an integrated-thematic unit provides the backdrop for experiences to occur across the disciplines. Shaping coursework around integrated themes is especially appropriate for gifted students, however using an integrated-thematic curriculum is appropriate for all learners as it develops students' abilities to make connections, to solve problems by looking at multiple perspectives, and to integrate information from different fields of experience. An integrated-thematic curriculum permits students to be active participants in their own learning as they design their own explorations and take …

Passion Pursuits: A Guide To Independent Student Learning, Institute For The Development Of Gifted Education, Ricks Center For Gifted Children, University Of Denver

Ricks Curriculum Units Series

Passion Pursuits is designed as differentiated enrichment for gifted learners. Integrated across several content areas, Passion Pursuits offer opportunities for reading, research, writing, and the creation of a variety of products. When used in a pullout setting where learners come together for a period of time each day or each week, some of the activities and lessons may be done independently outside of school. When used in a home school setting, field experiences may dominate the research section of the unit and greater lengths of time may be allocated to each project, allowing for expansion and complexity in both concepts …

The Arctic And Antarctic: An Integrated Curriculum Unit, Grades K-2, Institute For The Development Of Gifted Education, Ricks Center For Gifted Children, University Of Denver

Ricks Curriculum Units Series

An integrated curriculum is an instructional approach that connects the disciplines to an underlying theme or topic. Immersing students in an integrated-thematic unit provides the backdrop for experiences to occur across the disciplines. Shaping coursework around integrated themes is especially appropriate for gifted students, however using an integrated-thematic curriculum is appropriate for all learners as it develops students' abilities to make connections, to solve problems by looking at multiple perspectives, and to integrate information from different fields of experience. An integrated-thematic curriculum permits students to be active participants in their own learning as they design their own explorations and take …

Creating Conditions For Developing And Nurturing Talent: The Work Of School Leaders, Stephanie Pace Marshall, Martin Ramirez, Kathy Plinske, Catherine C. Veal

Publications & Research

In 1993, two decades after the 1972 U.S. Office of Education Report on the status of gifted and talented programs (the Marland Report), U. S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley issued a report stating that gifted education is essential to our nation’s future and documenting the “quiet risk” faced by gifted children and gifted education programs in the United States.

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.

Academic Performance And Social Participation Of Gifted And Talented Humanities Program Students, Hyak Junior High School, Bellevue, Washington, Eileen Casey Herling

All Master's Theses

This investigation focused upon the academic and social achievement of identified gifted and talented students who participated in a special humanities program conducted within a traditional junior high school environment. Eighty-two students, ranging from the seventh grade through their sophomore year in college, returned questionnaires lending credence to the hypothesis that these youngsters generally continue to sustain their achievement level as they progress through life. Students' attitudes regarding gifted identification, motivation, peer relationships, and program preparation were discussed.

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.