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The coexistence of extraordinary gifts and exceptional impairment residing within the same individual is an inherently curious contradiction. Empirical research on gifted students with one or more disabilities, termed twice-exceptional, is limited. The purpose of this investigation was to explore the role of twice-exceptionality on key constructs related to identity development and self-regulation. This study examined developmental changes in students’ self-esteem ratings and locus of control ratings from eighth grade through twelfth grade, and compared students identified as twice-exceptional with their peers who were identified as gifted-only, disability-only, or non-identified (i.e., a group of “typical” students). Participants were sampled from an existing dataset – the National Educational Longitudinal Study. Measures included questionnaire items adapted from the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (1965), and from Rotter’s Internality-Externality Scale (1966). Results of a two-way mixed design MANOVA revealed no differences between groups on a combination of self-esteem and locus of control ratings, meaning that developmental patterns over time were similar across all ability classifications. Students in the gifted-only group reported the highest levels of self-esteem and the most internalized locus of control, whereas students in the disability-only group reported the lowest self-esteem and most externalized locus of control. Significant differences were revealed between average ratings of twice-exceptional students and ratings of their peers. This manuscript concludes with a discussion of the study’s limitations, implications drawn from the study’s findings, and directions for future research. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Educational Psychology and Learning Systems in partial fulfillment of the Doctor of Philosophy. / Spring Semester 2017. / April 7, 2017. / Disabilities, Gifted, Identity, Locus of Control, Self-esteem, Twice-exceptional / Includes bibliographical references. / Steven Pfeiffer, Professor Directing Dissertation; Sandra Lewis, University Representative; Frances Prevatt, Committee Member; Angela Canto, Committee Member.

This study sought to explore the question of what personal and professional characteristics may be particularly relevant to effective teachers of the gifted, by investigating the characteristics of effective teachers identified in both the general teacher effectiveness literature and the gifted education literature, through the perceptions of gifted primary students about teachers they regarded as effective. A questionnaire was created for this study, comprised of items which represented characteristics identified from the literature review and determined to be relevant to students' experiences. This questionnaire was distributed to the sample of intellectually gifted primary students (n = 168), and their responses were examined for differences between moderately gifted (n = 74) and highly gifted primary students (n = 94), as well as female (n = 84) and male (n = 81) gifted primary students. This study also recorded gifted primary students' opinions regarding what they believe were the characteristics that made their nominated teachers so effective, through the use of an open-ended question in the questionnaire. This study found that the characteristics of effective teachers identified in both the general teacher effectiveness and the gifted education literatures were supported by gifted primary students' perceptions of their nominated teachers. This study also found differences between moderately gifted and highly gifted primary students, as well as gender differences on a number of characteristics. These differences support the need to examine, more carefully, teacher behaviour and strategies in the classroom for differences in how they may influence the learning of students of different levels of ability and gender. A qualitative analysis of gifted primary students' answers to the open-ended question also revealed in-depth information about how teachers' characteristics are related to each other, and how students perceive them to be effective, as well as suggesting characteristics that were not identified in the previous review of the literature.

The purpose of the study was to determine if a prepared serial or sequential line of teacher questioning, immediately following the reading of a narrative selection, is a more effective method of teaching to increase inferential comprehension skills of gifted learners that a random questioning method of teaching. The setting for the study was a magnet elementary school for gifted children in a midwest metropolitan area. Forty-nine gifted, fifth grade students were randomly selected for inclusion in the study to target differences in inferential comprehension mastery resultant to intervening questioning treatment.A norm referenced pre-test and post-test was utilized to determine the degree of effectiveness in assessing inferential comprehension skills in long term mastery learning. The null hypothesis was tested by using Analysis of Covariance. Weekly tests were used to assess short term mastery of inferential comprehension. The null hypothesis was tested by using Multiple Analysis of Variance. The .05 level of significance was established as the critical probability level for the non-acceptance of hypotheses.Findings1. After a six week intervening treatment comparing the effects of a serial and random questioning line with gifted learners measured by pre and post-test instruments of a norm referenced test, non-significant gains were made by the experimental group attributable to the type or line of questioning utilized.2. There existed a difference between the groups over the individual tests measured. Gifted learners were affected in short term mastery of inferential comprehension skills as indicated in scores on three weekly five item tests.Conclusions1. There is no difference in inferential comprehension skill mastery between the control and experimental group after a six week serial questioning treatment as measured on the Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills, Form U, Level G, grade 5.2. There is a difference in inferential comprehension skill mastery between the control and experimental group as assessed during the six week treatment for a serial line of questioning of three day per week measurements.

published_or_final_version / abstract / Education / Master / Master of Education

The defensibility of special classes and programs for gifted students is an issue with academic, social, and political ramifications. Critical components of programs for the gifted include the curriculum and service delivery model. This author examined the effect of two teaching/learning models, the Parnes Creative Problem Solving model and the Hilda Taba Teaching Strategies on the higher cognitive processes of gifted students in grades 5 through 8. Three service delivery models were included. The design of the study was the 3 x 3 x 2 analysis of variance with repeated measures on the last factor. The between subjects factors were experimental condition--Parnes, Taba, and Control--and service delivery model--Daily, One Day per Week, and Self-Contained. The within factor was the time of testing, the pre and posttest scores. Fourteen classes of gifted students in grades 5 through 8 were included: a total of 213 students took both the pretest and the posttest. The analysis of variance with repeated measures revealed two significant between subjects effects: interaction of treatment with service delivery model (p < .0001) and treatment effect (p < .02). The analysis of variance within factors indicated no significant effects (p < .05) except difference between the pretest and the posttest scores. Since the period of time between the pre and posttest was about seven months, this growth is expected and is not informative. Post hoc tests, using the Scheffe formula, showed significant (p < .10) differences in favor of both the Parnes and the Taba Daily groups when compared to the Control group, and a significant (p < .10) difference favoring the Taba Self-Contained when compared to the Taba One Day per Week group. The supporting data gathered indicated that three teachers did not implement their teaching/learning model effectively and two additional teachers used the model infrequently. The posttest cell means appear to be related not only to correct model implementation, but to frequency as well. Those cells with the highest frequencies of correct model use had the highest posttest mean scores. Therefore, it was concluded that process models offer a powerful method of teaching the higher cognitive processes to gifted students, but that such models must be used correctly and frequently.

No description available.

Research paper (M.A.) -- Cardinal Stritch College -- Milwaukee, 1981. / A research paper submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Education (Reading Specialist). Includes bibliographical references (p.72-76).

Thesis (Ed. D.)--Teachers College, Columbia University. / Typescript; issued also on microfilm. Sponsor: A. Harry Passow. Dissertation Committee: Ann Lieberman. Bibliography: leaves 159-162.

Fundamental assumptions concerning the cognitive characteristics of gifted students in special education were presented. Prerequisites for operationalising them were extrapolated. The importance of clear parallels between identification and programming in gifted education, and of the role of informal and formal indicators was discussed. Guilford's Structure of Intellect model (1967) was examined in relation to the identification of cognitive ability. Achievement, measured by the Canadian Tests of Basic Skills (CTBS), and aptitude, as measured by the Structure of Intellect (SOI) Learning Abilities Test, identified differences between students who had been nominated to participate in an enrichment program. There were some who were also identified by the resource teachers as being gifted. Subjects were 100 students from grades three, five and, eight previously nominated for the program. Sixty were selected to participate in the program, and nineteen were identified as being gifted. The groups were age and gender balanced. The students were given the CTBS as part of the district's annual testing program. The SOI was given at the start of the enrichment program, at the end of the twelve-week program and at the end of the academic year. Analysis of variance and multiple regression analyses suggested significant relationships existed between various dimensions of achievement and aptitude, and that the treatment group differed significantly from the control group in aptitude. The gifted differed from the non-gifted in achievement (CTBS). Transformational ability on the SOI distinguished giftedness which supported Guilford's hypothesis of gifted ability. Teacher ratings of the objectives of the enrichment program were not predicted by either aptitude or achievement scores. Repeated measures ANOVA indicated that lower-level abilities were enhanced the most in the treatment group. Age contributed significantly to aptitude dimensions indicating non-school, or developmental factors were intertwined in the relationships. Findings were discussed and implications for subsequent research with the SOI in examining cognitive style in learning, and for both instruments use in special education identification programs were drawn. / Education, Faculty of / Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department of / Graduate