ERIC Number: ED560449
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2013
Pages: 330
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 978-1-3033-9864-3
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Preventing Underachievement Using Suggestions from Intellectually Gifted Recent High School Graduates
Snyder, Kelly
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, Walden University
Underachievement of students identified as gifted is a serious problem. Although the literature varies, studies have shown anywhere from 9% to 50% of these students are performing below their ability levels. The purpose of this study was to examine methods to address this problem suggested by such underachieving gifted students. The research questions for this interview study were designed to discover both how students identified as gifted described their lived experiences with underachievement in high school and what methods recent gifted graduates believed could, or did, prevent their underachievement. The theoretical foundation framing the study was Bandura's theory of self-efficacy. Data collection consisted of a focus group and individual follow-up interviews with 7 recent high school graduates in Texas who were identified as intellectually gifted. Data were analyzed to identify themes and patterns. Study results indicated the following 7 teacher actions would help to prevent underachievement: clear expectations, teacher support, parental involvement, recognition for student work, enforced prerequisites for program admission, relevant work, and study sessions to help them complete the additional work expected. This study could lead to positive social change by helping teachers of students identified as intellectually gifted to maximize those students' learning. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Underachievement, Academically Gifted, Intervention, Interviews, Student Attitudes, Student Experience, High School Students, High School Graduates, Prevention, Self Efficacy, Focus Groups, Teacher Role, Parent Role, Recognition (Achievement), Selective Admission, Relevance (Education)
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: High Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Texas
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A