Date of Award
2018
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Committee Chair
Jim Palermo
Abstract
This study describes a descriptive quantitative study and a binomial logistic regression model that looked at a total population versus academically gifted and talented population in Grades 3-6 in a small southeastern school district. Both populations were examined through the independent variables classified as age, gender, and socioeconomic status. Socioeconomic status was determined by if a student’s lunch was full pay, reduced pay, or free. The dependent variable was whether each student was identified as academically gifted and talented or not academically gifted and talented. Do the two different populations (total versus gifted) evenly or equally represent age, gender, and socioeconomic status of the students? In this southeastern school district, the anonymous student data in Grades 3-6 were the participants. In this study, they represented five elementary schools, one intermediate school, and two middle schools within a region. The instruments involved in this study included district and state assessments for the identification of academically gifted and talented students. Based on the data, the researcher found that there were discrepancies between the socioeconomic status of the participants and the included ages. Students with paid lunch were predicted to be identified as academically gifted and talented. Those with free lunch were predicted to not be identified as academically gifted and talented. A student who has a September birth month is predicted to be identified as academically gifted and talented. The birth month of December was also predicted more likely to be identified. Therefore, students with a later in the school year birth month like March, April, May, June, July, and August were predicted to not be identified. Gender of male and female did not have a statistical significance in being identified. Between the total and academically gifted and talented populations, the researcher recommendations include uniformity in identification, a comprehensive review of the academically gifted and talented tools, examination of social justice of the population, and that possible brain development may play a role.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Citation Information
Cleveland, Kancy, "Who is Selected to Participate in Gifted and Talented Programs in a Small Southeastern School District?" (2018). Education Dissertations and Projects. 305.
https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/education_etd/305