Exploring the Underrepresentation of Black Students in Rural Gifted Programs

• In Event: Diverse Populations and Gifted Education

Abstract

Historically, there has been less attention to identifying and serving gifted Black students attending rural schools. In this exploratory study, we sought to understand the existing gifted identification landscape for Black students attending rural schools in Virginia. We found that the identification practices for Black students were inequitable in all types of rural schools (fringe, distant, remote). However, we registered the most severe underrepresentation of gifted Black students in rural remote Title 1 schools. Overall, as many as 5,452 gifted Black students were missing from gifted education programs in rural Virginia. Based on our findings and previous research, we discuss a two-step strategy rural communities can implement to create more equitable gifted identification practices.

Authors

• Vonna Hemmler, Amherst College
  Presenting Author

• Amy Price Azano, Virginia Tech
  Presenting Author

• Svetlana Dmitrieva, University of South Carolina
  Presenting Author

• Carolyn M. Callahan, University of Virginia
  Presenting Author