As a means of addressing observed inadequacies in school
curricula, the Catholic Special Education and Guidance Service, Brisbane Catholic Education Office in 1980 established a partial
withdrawal centre for counsellor-selected gifted children.
The Learning Enrichment Centre (L.E.C.) aimed to -
1) meet the needs of enrolled gifted students by -
a) providing appropriate learning experiences; and
b) providing an administrative arrangement (partial withdrawal)
which afforded them the opportunity to interact
with like minds;
2) meet the needs of the system by -
a) developing and evaluating units of work for gifted
students;
b) conducting workshops, seminars and in-service days for
teachers.
In 1984 the L.E.C. curriculum was designed and implemented in
accordance with Maker's model of curriculum modification for gifted
students (Maker, 1982). This model outlines a set of principles which
Maker claims, recognize the characteristics and needs of gifted
students and guide the development of a qualitatively different
curriculum. In making decisions about design and implementation of
Maker's curriculum modifications, factors related to the setting, the
teachers and the students were considered.
The overall purpose of the Study was to assist teachers in making
rational decisions about future L.E.C. provision. In particular the
Study was to collect information on the worth of the program - its
relative strengths and weaknesses - and the influence on the curriculum
of the administrative arrangement.
The program was evaluated by ascertaining levels of satisfaction
typically expressed by the students.
Of secondary concern was whether the organisational arrangement
of partial withdrawal had inhibited or enhanced the program's
intentions. It was acknowledged that unfavourable attitudes of
parents, classroom teachers or peers could conceivably alter students'
receptivity of the program.
In Term 4, two parallel questionnaires, one addressing the
L.E.C., the other the regular classroom, were administered to the
students. By comparing responses on matching items, levels of
satisfaction with the L.E.C. curriculum were determined. Selected
items on the L.E.C. instrument were further to reveal how students
felt about the administrative provision and whether classroom teachers
and peers were perceived to be supportive.
Subsequent to program completion, a questionnaire was mailed to
parents bo ascertain their support for the program by asking them how
their child's emotional behaviour had changed as a result of LEC
attendance. Also they were to indicate whether they preferred that
enrichment occur in the regular classroom or partial withdrawal
setting.
To confirm the students' impressions of classroom teacher support
and interest, parents were requested to comment on their understanding
of it.
Student responses indicated that they found their LEC experiences
to be particularly interesting and enjoyable, and the LEC teachers to
be kind, helpful, friendly and fair. These perceptions differed
significantly from their perceptions of school. Elements of the Maker
model which were consistently most valued by the group were the
Process modifications, 'Freedom of Choice' and 'Higher Levels of
Thinking'.
Parents proved to be supportive of the LEC program.
Although some would have preferred classroom enrichment
to partial withdrawal, they felt that schools could not
currently provide it.
It was the students' viewpoint that interactions
with peers and classroom teachers were not adversely affected
by their LEC participation. Classroom teachers were seen
to be generally supportive and interested - a perception
incidentally not shared by parents and LEC teachers.
Perceived positive attitudes towards their LEC involvement
most likely enhanced student satisfaction with the program.
The evaluation unequivocally indicated that the
LEC program based on Maker's model appealed to the students.
Though withdrawal from class possibly contributed to program
satisfaction, the level of satisfaction was very high
and could not be attributed solely to hidden curriculum
efects (the organisational arrangement).
The Study concluded that use of the Maker model
as a guide for developing LEC curricula should continue
but that parent and classroom teacher attitudes towards
the administrative arrangement should be regularly monitored
as they appeared to have the potential to enhance or
reduce students' receptivity of the program.
As a result of Study, various procedures for the
conduct of future evaluations were recommended.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/219458 |
| Date | January 1986 |
| Creators | Williams, E. Marion, n/a |
| Publisher | University of Canberra. Education |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | ), Copyright E. Marion Williams |
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