There is little attention and consensus in science education for gifted learners, leading to insufficient support and understanding of their needs, which hinders their potential development as future scientists and professionals. Utilizing a narrative research design, the study explores the experiences of nine scientists identified as gifted in childhood, through semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, and document reviews. The research addresses three pivotal questions: (1) How do scientists, who were identified as gifted in their childhood, navigate their gifted identity from childhood to adulthood, and how does this affect their social relationships and self-perception? (2) How do scientists, who were identified as gifted in their childhood, perceive and describe the critical elements that contribute to their exceptional performance? (3) How do scientists, who were identified as gifted in their childhood, reflect on the impact of their K-12 science education on their development and career choice? Findings reveal that participants’ exceptional performance in science was influenced by various factors such as individual abilities, family background, motivation, support, opportunities, and luck, and education. The impact of K-12 science education varied, with dissatisfaction in early years due to a lack of challenging curriculum, but more satisfaction in high school due to advanced classes and programs. These insights contribute to the development of educational policies and programs that better meet the needs of gifted learners in science, ultimately helping them to realize their full potential as future scientists and professionals.

Recognizing the important role that classroom teachers play in the referral of students for possible gifted education in many U. S. schools, this study questioned elementary classroom teachers in grades K through 5 to learn about their perceptions of what "giftedness" is. Teachers responded to two questionnaires to define both their general and their specific perceptions of giftedness. Early in the school year the teachers chose from a list of twenty recognized giftedness traits the four that best defined the term for them In the spring, after the same teachers had referred specific students for testing for the gifted program, they selected the four most prominent gifted traits shown by each referred student. Results showed a teacher efficiency rate of 43.4%, equal to or above that of previous research. Among the four traits teachers most often selected as the ones indicating either general or specific giftedness to them, three were identical. Teacher years of experience, grade level taught by the teacher, and the presence or absence of gifted classes at the teacher's school did not significantly affect teacher perceptions of important traits. Student gender was a significant variable in selection of traits. The #1 trait for boys was advanced logic and problem solving ability; for girls it was advanced reading and/or writing ability. School socioeconomic level was also a significant variable. Teachers judged advanced logic and problem solving ability more important for the high or middle SES student than for the low SES student, whether they considered traits of giftedness in general or specific children. Student race/ethnicity was a significant factor also. Racial and ethnic minorities were referred and, generally, passed the screening in such relatively small numbers that the data did not lend themselves to further analysis. Teachers demonstrated consistency and efficiency in gifted identification. It was recommended that this school system address issues of possible gender and SES bias that might be influencing teachers' perceptions and that the system consider a method other than an IQ score as the final qualifying instrument for entry into the program for gifted students.

No description available.

Although gifted underachievers have been the subject of many studies, the possible connection between depression and underachievement had not been previously investigated. Effective counseling programs for high school student.s were lacking. A technique from family counseling literature, reframing, was recommended for use in the school setting. Sixty underachieving gifted students from local high schools were randomly selected and assigned to treatment/no treatment groups. A randomized pretest/posttest design was used to examine the effect of a brief intervention strategy in a single counseling session on Beck Hopelessness Scale scores, progress reported by teachers, and grade point averages. Various attribute variables were also considered. Results from a stepwise multiple regression support the effectiveness of the intervention in improving grade point averages. One of the significant factors on higher Hopelessness Scale scores was higher mothers' income. However, many mothers were not working outside the home making results difficult to interpret. On the other hand, the lower fathers' income contributed significantly to explaining· variance in higher Hopelessness Scale scores. Females and lower pre-GPA were also significant factors in explaining higher Hopelessness Scale scores. Family status (having an intact family) and higher pre-teachers reports accounted for higher post teachers' reports. The pre teachers' report, second quarter of the study, the intervention, and pre-GPA were significant factors in improved postGPA. Indications are that the underachievers group have higher rates of hopelessness than achievers. Some of the recommendations include reframing as a tool of the school counselor, (1) use of (2) use of the Beck Hopelessness Scale as a screening tool for identifying depression in the high school gifted, and (3) examination of depression in gifted underachievers in further studies. / Ed. D.

This study centers around the evolution in theory and practice used in dealing with superior children. The manner in which the growth of democracy has influenced this evolution is pointed out.

Summaries en Afrikaans and English / Text in Afrikaans / Een van die kenmerke van leergestremde kinders is dat hulle, benewens hul leertekorte, dikwels ook gedragsprobleme manifesteer wat nie net hul leer benadeel nie, maar ook hul uiteindelike volwassewording. Talle skoolse opvoeders wat met hierdie kinders gemoeid is, is nie in staat om hierdie kinders se gedragsprobleme na behore aan te spreek nie. Die doel van hierdie studie is om enkele onderrigstrategiee daar te stel aan die hand waarvan bepaalde gedragsprobleme van leergestremde laerskoolkinders in die hoofstroom van die onderwys aangespreek kan word. V oordat daar oorgegaan is tot die beplanning van hierdie onderrigstrategiee, is daar op die etiologie en manifestasies van leergestremdheid gefokus. Vervolgens is enkele bestaande hulpverleningspraktyke bespreek en aan die hand van ortopedagogiese beginsels geevalueer. Aangesien hierdie hulpverleningspraktyke as ortopedagogies verantwoordbaar beskou is, kon dit as basis dien vir onderrigstrategiee vir die bantering van die volgende gedragsprobleme: aandagtekorte, hiperaktiwiteit, impulsiwiteit, hipoaktiwiteit, katastrofiese gedragsuitinge en aggressie. / One of the characteristics associated with learning disabled pupils is that they not only experience learning difficulties, but often manifest behavioural problems that impede their learning and eventual adulthood. Many educators involved with learning disabled pupils are unable to address the behavioural problems of these children effectively. The purpose of this study is to compile instructional strategies that could be put into practice when dealing with the behavioural problems of learning disabled pupils who are in the mainstream of education. Before planning these strategies, the etiology and manifestations of learning disabilities were addressed. Thereafter, orthopedagogical criteria were applied to evalute certain schools of thought regarding orthopedagogical practices. Having ascertained that the practices in question are orthopedagogically sound, instructional strategies, based on these practices, were planned to address the following behavioural problems: attention deficits, hyperactivity, impulsivity, hypoactivity, catastrophic reactions and aggression. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Orthopedagogics)

The purpose of this study was to identify possible variables that may contribute to a foster child's passing or failing of the California High School Exit Exam.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the experiences of mainstream foundation phase educators who teach learners diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), as well as to understand the intervention strategies that these educators use when dealing with these learners. The study is qualitative and based on the interpretivist paradigm. It is a case study of seven mainstream educators who were all teaching learners that were diagnosed with ADHD. The study was guided by the following research questions: What are the experiences of mainstream educators who teach learners diagnosed with ADHD? What intervention strategies do educators employ to handle learners with ADHD? What support structures exist in schools to assist educators of learners with ADHD? The study reveals that the educators in these mainstream schools do not feel sufficiently skilled and effective in meeting the learning needs of their learners diagnosed with ADHD. Their large class groups, lack of available support structures, and lack of parental support and professional intervention, contribute largely to this situation. Drugs such as Ritalin may not be a cure, but are sometimes helpful in improving learner behaviour and productivity. This however is not always possible due to the varying array of symptoms that co-exist in ADHD and the effectiveness of medication and intervention is unique to each learner. Psychological assessment assists in highlighting the unique educational needs of these learners. Educators rely on the advice and support given by physicians and psychologists. Drug therapy must be used in conjunction with behaviour therapy as this is beneficial to the learner diagnosed with ADHD and to the class environment. The findings of the study indicate the absence of remedial education in these mainstream schools. There is a need for all mainstream educators to become trained and skilled in understanding and teaching learners with ADHD. Greater awareness, involvement, coaching and support needs to be available for all those involved with ADHD. This implies that the provision of effective intervention and support will empower educators, potentially minimize the early drop out of learners affected with ADHD and facilitate a productive outcome and future for them. A limitation of this study is that this small sample size does not reflect the education setting of all mainstream schools in South Africa. Mainstream schools vary extremely in degrees of resourcefulness and class size. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

Summaries en Afrikaans and English / Text in Afrikaans / Een van die kenmerke van leergestremde kinders is dat hulle, benewens hul leertekorte, dikwels ook gedragsprobleme manifesteer wat nie net hul leer benadeel nie, maar ook hul uiteindelike volwassewording. Talle skoolse opvoeders wat met hierdie kinders gemoeid is, is nie in staat om hierdie kinders se gedragsprobleme na behore aan te spreek nie. Die doel van hierdie studie is om enkele onderrigstrategiee daar te stel aan die hand waarvan bepaalde gedragsprobleme van leergestremde laerskoolkinders in die hoofstroom van die onderwys aangespreek kan word. V oordat daar oorgegaan is tot die beplanning van hierdie onderrigstrategiee, is daar op die etiologie en manifestasies van leergestremdheid gefokus. Vervolgens is enkele bestaande hulpverleningspraktyke bespreek en aan die hand van ortopedagogiese beginsels geevalueer. Aangesien hierdie hulpverleningspraktyke as ortopedagogies verantwoordbaar beskou is, kon dit as basis dien vir onderrigstrategiee vir die bantering van die volgende gedragsprobleme: aandagtekorte, hiperaktiwiteit, impulsiwiteit, hipoaktiwiteit, katastrofiese gedragsuitinge en aggressie. / One of the characteristics associated with learning disabled pupils is that they not only experience learning difficulties, but often manifest behavioural problems that impede their learning and eventual adulthood. Many educators involved with learning disabled pupils are unable to address the behavioural problems of these children effectively. The purpose of this study is to compile instructional strategies that could be put into practice when dealing with the behavioural problems of learning disabled pupils who are in the mainstream of education. Before planning these strategies, the etiology and manifestations of learning disabilities were addressed. Thereafter, orthopedagogical criteria were applied to evalute certain schools of thought regarding orthopedagogical practices. Having ascertained that the practices in question are orthopedagogically sound, instructional strategies, based on these practices, were planned to address the following behavioural problems: attention deficits, hyperactivity, impulsivity, hypoactivity, catastrophic reactions and aggression. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Orthopedagogics)

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandated that each child who qualifies for special education must have an individualized education program (IEP). Disciplinary issues and procedures under IDEA have been a source of concern among parents, schools, and advocates from disability groups. At issue are fundamental concerns about the protection of rights for students with disabilities, which must be balanced with the ability of school personnel to maintain safe school environments that benefits all students. This research examined the four survey questions related to discipline from a state-wide survey conducted by Education Service Center (ESC) Region 9 through a comparison of selected disability categories as they compare to the responses received from parents of students with the disability category of emotional/behavioral disorders (E/BD). In addition, the research examined the open-ended questions from surveys to determine the types of concerns reported by parents. Data accrued from a focus group of parents receiving special education services are also reported. Parents of students identified as having an E/BD rated their understanding of the school's discipline policy lower than parents of students from other eligibility categories. Almost 67% of parents of students identified as having E/BD stated that they knew that their child might be eligible for alternative discipline procedures. Parents of students identified as E/BD reported at a much higher percentage that they were aware that services must be continued if the child was removed from the instructional setting for discipline problems. In a focus group discussion, a majority of the parent's (67%) responded that they felt like they understood the school's discipline policies. When given a chance to respond through an open-ended questionnaire, parents addressed a variety of problems, such as children being continually suspended for behaviors related to their disability or the behavior intervention plan not being implemented.