Previous research has documented a link between the self concept and academic achievement of gifted children. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between self concept and academic achievement of ninth grade gifted students who participated in two types of gifted programs (gifted classes versus enrichment programs) from fourth to sixth grade. In addition, this study sought to determine whether there are any differences in these relationships by continued participation in gifted programs, ethnic groups, and gender. The target participants were 105 ninth grade students, of which 52 chose to participate in completing the Tennessee Self Concept Scale-2 and to provide additional information. The students' Stanford Achievement Test - 9 scores from eighth grade were obtained as measures of academic achievement. The purpose of the study was fulfilled with an ex-post facto design. The results indicate that students who participated in gifted classes from fourth to sixth grade did not demonstrate a significantly higher total self concept compared to enrichment program students. Students who previously participated in gifted classes obtained higher Moral and Family self concepts and significantly higher total reading scores than enrichment program students. However, it was found that both the gifted class and enrichment program students were underachieving academically at the ninth grade level. Results indicate that students participating in gifted programs at the time of this study, regardless of previous program participation from fourth to sixth grade, obtained significantly higher reading and math scores. No significant differences were found with regard to self concept. A significant correlation was found between reading and Moral self concept. No significant differences in self concept based on gender, ethnicity, or social economic status were found. No significant differences in achievement based on gender or social economic status were found. Hispanic students scored significantly lower than Asian students in math. Implications for gifted education, underachieving gifted, and implications for research in this field are discussed.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:pacific.edu/oai:scholarlycommons.pacific.edu:uop_etds-3436 |
| Date | 01 January 1999 |
| Creators | Avila, Jose Manuel |
| Publisher | Scholarly Commons |
| Source Sets | University of the Pacific |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations |
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