The Identification Of Culturally-Different Gifted And Talented Children (California)

Purpose. The major purpose of the study was to describe the procedures for identifying culturally-different gifted and talented children. Other goals were to: (a) identify how the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) programs are administered; (b) investigate the enrollment of GATE programs from the general and different cultures; (c) determine the similarities and differences of perceptions of GATE programs among administrators and teachers; and (d) contrast identification procedures and administration of the programs in the seven GATE districts that had the highest number of culturally-different gifted and talented students and the seven GATE districts that had the lowest number of such children. Procedures. Ten California counties with school districts offering GATE programs were selected as samples for the study. Two questionnaires were developed, the first sent to 124 administrators and teachers and the second to 14 districts that had the highest or lowest number of culturally-different gifted and talented students. Findings. Teacher recommendations were the key criteria during the identification process. Psychological services were contributors to the identification process. A school site study team was utilized and was the most unique feature of the districts that had the highest number of GATE culturally-different students. Tests and instruments most utilized were nationally-published which included Stanford-Binet and the Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills (CTBS). The elements of giftedness that were tested most often were intelligence and high achievement. The program approaches most often offered were acceleration, special day classes and cluster grouping. The percentage of White students in the GATE programs was higher than their percentage in the overall district enrollment. Conclusion. The identification processes of culturally-different gifted and talented students appear inadequate; thus they are underrepresented in GATE programs. Recommendations. Research is needed as to the means of increasing the participation of culturally-different gifted and talented students in GATE programs. The recommended areas for study include: increasing the use of elements of giftedness such as creativity, leadership, and visual and/or performing arts; raising funds or identifying the best use of limited funding; improving identification tests; identifying approaches to meet the needs of GATE culturally-different students; clarifying GATE teacher attitudes and promoting effective staff-development; and examining learning styles and cognitive strengths of students from different cultures