How do Teachers’ Perceptions and Attitudes Influence Diverse, Gifted Students

1. How do Teachers’ Perceptions and Attitudes Influence Diverse, Gifted Students Toni Szymanski University of Iowa

2. Background • Pre-service teacher training on identifying and serving gifted students. • Pre-service teacher training on multicultural classrooms • Underrepresentation of diverse students in programs for gifted and talented • Characteristics of gifted students • Teachers as gate-keepers

3. Participants • 6 teachers – second and third grade • Rural school (400 elementary students) • 62% Hispanic – historically Hispanic school district

4. Qualitative Methods • Observations – each classroom for 2-3 hours • Interviews with each teacher and the gifted and talented coordinator • Document analysis

5. Initial Findings • Difficult to observe gifted characteristics. • Teachers rely on personal experience to make decisions regarding gifted students. • Teachers do not receive professional development on how to identify or serve gifted students in the classroom. • Teachers seem to downplay the gifted student

6. Anticipated Directions • Conduct more observations and interviews with teachers • Analyze data to see if initial findings are correct – member checks • Build upon initial findings to create a central assertions • In-depth interview with district’s gifted and talented coordinator to better understand program and recommendation / teacher training procedures

7. Questions and Comments?