Thesis (M.S. in Psychology)--Vanderbilt University, Aug. 2008. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

With a dwindling college-age population and a need to attract academically talented students, postsecondary institutions search for factors that influence college choice. The educational plans of two comparable groups of high ability Arizona secondary students were examined and compared using the Higher Education Orientation Inventory and personal interviews. One group of students consisted of high school juniors who participated in the University of Arizona Precollege Program for Gifted and Talented Students in the summers of 1981 and 1982. The Comparison Group students were selected from a group of the top ten percent of Arizona high school juniors from those same years. Factor analysis was utilized to answer major research questions about factors that affect a student's choice of a higher education institution. To examine the differences between the two groups, discriminant analysis was used. An open-ended question approach provided supplementary data from both groups. The majority of both groups of students favored the choice of a four-year university. It was found that students who participated in the University of Arizona Precollege Program rated that experience as more important in their institutional choice than did those students who did not attend this program. In a separate factor analysis, it was shown that the two groups appeared to differ on several choice factors. Only one pair of factors entitled "Academic Quality of the Institution" was found to be similar within the groups. Other important factors for both groups included "Social Components of the Institution", "Expenses and Financial Aid", and "Institutional Image". The largest discriminant difference between the two groups was with reference to the institution's precollege program. This supported the finding that there was a significant mean difference on which students rated the importance of a precollege program in institutional selection. The open-ended question approach indicated that important reasons for postsecondary choices were (1) location, reputation and size of the institution, (2) cost, and (3) program quality. Personal interviews emphasized the value of a precollege program in providing an introduction to college life and in building confidence about the forthcoming postsecondary experience.

The problem of this study was to develop a set of workable guidelines that could be implemented in the development of an industrial arts program for the superior high school student.

The purpose of this research is to study the mathematical problem solving processes, strategy use and success factors of middle grade gifted and talented (GT) elementary school students. This research is based on 9 mathematical problems edited by the author and divided into the following categories: ¡§numbers and quantity,¡¨ ¡§shape and space,¡¨ and ¡§logical thinking.¡¨ Seven GT students from Ta-Tung elementary school in Kaohsiung were selected as target students in the study. Besides, the seven students were translated into original cases using a thinking aloud method. Here are the conclusions: First of all, when facing non-traditional problems, GT students may use different problem solving steps to solve different problems and may not show all detailed steps for every single problem. The same types of problems may not have the same problem solving steps. Missing any single step would have no impact on the answers. Problem solving sequence may not fully follow the traditional 5-step sequence: study the problem, analyze, plan, execute, and verify, and, instead, may dynamically adjust the steps according to the thinking. Secondly, GT students¡¦ problem solving strategy includes more or less the following 19 methods: trial and error, tabling, looking for all possibilities, a combination of numbers, listing all possible answers, classifying the length of each side, classifying graphics, classifying points, adding extra numbers (the triangle problem), drawing, identifying rules and repetition, summarizing, forward solving, backward solving, remainder theory, polynomials, organizing data, direct solving, and making tallies. Finally, problem solving success factors are tightly coupled with problem solving knowledge, mathematical capability, and problem solving behavior. Problem solving knowledge includes knowledge of language, understanding, basic models, strategy use, and procedural knowledge. Instances of mathematical capability are capability of abstraction, generalization, calculation, logical thinking, express thinking, reverse thinking, dynamic thinking, memorizing, and space concept. Problem solving behavior includes the sense of understanding the problem and mathematical structure, keeping track of all possible pre-conditions, good understanding of the relationship between the problems and the objectives, applying related knowledge or formulas, verifying the accuracy of the answers, and resilience for problem solving. In addition to discussing the research results, future directions and recommendations for teaching mathematics for GT and regular students are highlighted.

The Virginia Governor's School for Agriculture (VGSA) is a summer enrichment program for gifted and talented students from throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. The program is sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education, and it takes place at Virginia Tech during the month of July each year. The program is housed in the Department of Agricultural and Extension Education in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Students who participate in the program receive hands on, cutting edge instruction in the broad fields of agricultural sciences, natural resources, and veterinary medicine.The nature of agriculture has and continues to evolve. Farmers comprise a very small portion of the population; however there are many careers in agriculture which require a steady supply of well-trained and highly educated professionals. It is projected that the demand for qualified college graduates to fill agricultural jobs will exceed supply. The VGSA has been developed as an agricultural literacy tool, to expose gifted and talented students to the diverse careers in the industry.The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of the VGSA on the students who have completed the four classes. Specific objectives were to develop demographic information; to ascertain the perception of the influence of the VGSA on alumni choice of college, major, and career; and to ascertain the perception of the influence of the VGSA on alumni knowledge and perception of the agricultural industry.A survey instrument was sent to all students who had completed the VGSA (N=316). Over half of the alumni (n=182) returned the instrument. No significant difference was found between early, late, and non-responders. The findings show that the average VGSA student is a white female that resides in an urban area with a population greater than 20,000. This student has a high school GPA of 3.93 and is in the top 6% of her high school graduating class. She has an SAT math score of 627 and an SAT verbal score of 630. She is not a member of the FFA or 4-H.The findings show that the VGSA does not have an overwhelming influence on alumni choice of college or college major. The VGSA does not have an overwhelming influence on alumni career goals. The findings show that the VGSA does have much influence on alumni knowledge and perception of the agricultural industry. / Ph. D.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the identification methods that achieve parity for students underrepresented in Gifted and Talented (GT) Programs in Virginia. There are underrepresented gifted and talented students (GT) throughout the United States of America, including the Commonwealth of Virginia. Students of every ethnicity and socioeconomic status can need GT services. There is a need to increase equity in GT programs to show a representation of students that mimics the total representation in the school division. Data were collected from all 132 school divisions in Virginia and the school divisions that were not underrepresented for Black, Hispanic, and two or more-race students (Non-Hispanic) (NH) were studied further. There were 12 out of the 132 school divisions that were not underrepresented for Blacks, 16 out of 132 for Hispanics and 42 out of 132 for two or more-race students (NH). In those 70 school divisions, GT plan reports were researched for identification methods used to be accepted into the GT program. Identification methods included: which of the four area of giftedness they were admitted into, which of the seven multiple criteria were used, and which standardized test/s were taken. In this study, the identification process used in GT programs in Virginia to ascertain favorable practices to achieve parity in minority representation was researched. This updated research study was as close as possible to the Palmer (2009) study. There was an increase for all three chosen racial groups since 2009. The increase could only be one standardized test. All other results were inconclusive. / Doctor of Philosophy / This study on the identification methods used for a student's admission into Gifted and Talented (GT) programs was conducted to see if the methods used to qualify them for services had anything to do with the underrepresentation of Black, Hispanic, and two or more-race students (Non-Hispanic). There is a problem with the overrepresentation of Whites and Asians and an underrepresentation of these minority races in GT education and it needs to end. There are GT students that require GT programs to enrich or advance these students learning. The school divisions with equity for these races were studied to see what they were doing right to achieve this goal. Researched were the seven multiple criteria used to identify GT students, what area of giftedness they were placed in, and the standardized test taken. These measures were checked for similarities in the school divisions in Virginia that may give us information on what made them equitable. The results included 28 school divisions with equity for Blacks and Hispanics and 42 for two or more- race students (NH). There are still an abundance of Black and Hispanic students not qualifying for GT services. Two or more-race students have equity now. None of the criteria could be attributed to this underrepresentation.

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2016-12-21T11:46:54Z No. of bitstreams: 1 taritamachadobrandao.pdf: 1312207 bytes, checksum: 23c89e99366d0361d444dc2472dd0d64 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2016-12-22T12:48:53Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 taritamachadobrandao.pdf: 1312207 bytes, checksum: 23c89e99366d0361d444dc2472dd0d64 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-22T12:48:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 taritamachadobrandao.pdf: 1312207 bytes, checksum: 23c89e99366d0361d444dc2472dd0d64 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-11-26 / FAPEMIG - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais / As atitudes têm alto valor preditivo para os comportamentos, uma vez que fazem com que os indivíduos se aproximem – atitudes positivas – ou se distanciem – atitudes negativas – de determinado objeto. Portanto, as atitudes dos professores em relação aos estudantes talentosos e à sua educação determinarão, até certo ponto, se e como ocorrerão a identificação e o desenvolvimento desses alunos. O presente estudo teve como objetivo descrever atitudes de professores em relação aos estudantes talentosos e à sua educação. Contou com a participação de 217 docentes da rede pública de ensino de cidades de Minas Gerais e do Distrito Federal. Os professores responderam a três instrumentos, duas escalas de atitudes tipo Likert e um questionário. Após análise quantitativa dos dados, verificou-se, entre outros resultados, que a maioria dos professores não se considera dotada ou talentosa, não tem aluno com essas características e, na graduação, não teve atividade ou disciplina voltada para essa necessidade educacional especial. A experiência com identificação de dotação e talento se associou à percepção dessas características de capacidade superior em familiares, pessoas do convívio e alunos, assim como a estabelecer conversação sobre essa necessidade educacional especial. Embora os professores acreditem na importância da educação para o alunado talentoso, a maioria não se sente preparada para educá-lo. As escalas de atitudes apresentaram evidências de validade satisfatórias. As atitudes dos professores em relação aos estudantes talentosos e à sua educação foram, de modo geral, ambivalentes em ambos os instrumentos. Não foram identificadas diferenças significantes entre essas atitudes quando se considerou a experiência dos docentes na identificação de dotação e talento. São apresentadas várias associações entre as múltiplas variáveis pesquisadas e essas atitudes. Recomendam-se estudos adicionais que continuem a obter evidências de validade das escalas e que contem com amostras mais representativas da população de docentes brasileiros. Não obstante, há evidências de que aprimorar a formação docente constitui um dos passos fundamentais para promover atitudes mais positivas em relação aos estudantes dotados e talentosos e à sua educação. / The attitudes are highly predictive for behaviour, because they approach the individuals to a particular object - positive attitude – or they distance themselves from this object - negative attitudes. Therefore, the attitudes of teachers towards gifted students and their education will determine to some extent, if teachers will identify gifted students and how to identify and to develop those students. This study aimed to describe the attitudes of teachers towards gifted students and their education. 217 teachers from public schools located in cities of Minas Gerais and Distrito Federal participated in this study. Teachers responded to three instruments, two Likert scales of attitudes and a questionnaire. After quantitative analysis, the data showed, among other results, that most teachers do not consider themselves gifted or talented, they do not have students that had these characteristics and, at graduation, they had no activity or discipline that focuses on this special educational needs. Experience with identification of gift and talent is linked to the perception of these characteristics of superior ability in the relatives, person`s daily living and students, as well as establishing a conversation about this special educational need. Although teachers believe in the importance of education for gifted pupils, the majority of them do not feel prepared to educate gifted students. The scales of attitudes presented satisfactory evidence of validity. The attitudes of teachers towards gifted students and their education were generally ambivalent on both instruments. No differences were observed between such attitudes when it was considered the experience of teachers in the identification of gift and talent. This study shows a variety of associations between the multiple variables investigated and these attitudes. Additional studies with a more representative sample of the Brazilian teacher‟s population are recommended to obtain more evidence of validity of the scale. Nevertheless, there is evidence that improving teacher‟s education is a fundamental step to promote more positive attitudes towards gifted and talented students and their education

Enligt skollagen har alla elever rätt till stimulans i utbildningen. Alla elever “ska ges den ledning och stimulans som de behöver i sitt lärande och sin personliga utveckling för att de utifrån sina egna förutsättningar ska kunna utvecklas så långt som möjligt enligt utbildningens mål.” Skollagen (2010:800, 3 kap. 2§). Internationell forskning visar att elever som ”resonerar och utmärker sig med skärpa” behöver stimulering utöver det vanliga skolarbetet.  Förmågan att kunna utmärka sig med skärpa utöver det vanliga skolarbetet är ett fenomen som beskrivs som särbegåvning.  Studien bidrar till kunskap om lärarens egen uppfattning och reflektioner kring särbegåvning i den svenska grundskolan i relation till sitt eget yrkesutövande. Studien är gjord utifrån ett fenomenografiskt perspektiv vilket innebär att kvalitativa intervjuer med lärare har analyserats för att förstå tolkning av fenomenet särbegåvning. Empirin har analyserats och kategoriserats efter frågeställningarna för att framställa och diskutera forskningsresultatet.   Resultaten visar att, även om det råder en ovisshet och oenighet hos lärare kring begreppet särbegåvning, så kunde alla lärare i studien framgångsrikt identifiera attributen för den särbegåvade eleven samt var överens om att det finns ett behov av ytterligare resurser och stöd i lärares arbete med dessa elever. Utbildning om särbegåvning och särbegåvade elevers förutsättningar inom lärarkåren anses som viktig för framtiden. / According to the Education Act in Sweden, all students have the right to stimulation in education. All pupils “must be given the guidance and stimulus they need in their learning and personal development so that they can develop as far as possible according to the goals of education and in accordance with their own abilities.” Skollagen (2010:800, 3 kap. 2§). International research shows that students who give evidence of the ability for exceptional achievement need stimulation in addition to the usual schoolwork. The ability to excel with exception is a phenomenon described as gifted and talented. The purpose of this study is to understand the teacher’s perceptions and reflections on the phenomenon of gifted and talented students in Swedish primary schools. The study has used a phenomenographic perspective, which means that qualitative interviews with teachers were analyzed to understand their interpretations of the phenomenon gifted and talented. The data was then analyzed and categorized according to the research questions in order to present and discuss the research results.  The results show that even though there is uncertainty and disagreement among teachers over the concept of gifted and talented, all the teachers in the study could successfully identify the attributes of the gifted student and they agreed that there is a need for additional resources and support in their work. Further education, about gifted and talented students, for the teaching staff was considered essential for future progress.

This study analyzed the social and emotional wellbeing of International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IB DP) students in a North Texas school district. Students were asked about their feelings toward mental health through a short-answer questionnaire and a survey. Teachers were also able to give input about how they handle mental health in their classroom and where they would like to see their students grow in terms of understanding mental health. The data shows that while students in the IB DP have questions about mental health and have an interest in becoming more independent when dealing with their mental health, they have also come up with program-specific coping mechanisms such as relationships with teachers and peers in the program. This project suggests the idea of increasing student involvement with family engagement, a student-led mentor program, and an after school organization which covers topics such as mental health and learning skills.