The Academic Engagement of Students Striving to Develop Giftedness

• In Event: Thursday Roundtable Session 4:20 pm
  In Roundtable Session: Research on Giftedness, Creativity, and Talent SIG Roundtable: Psychosocial Factors and Engagement (Table 18)

Abstract

Academic underachievement has been studied in students identified as gifted using the Achievement Orientation Model (AOM), but students who have the potential to develop gifted academic ability can also experience disengagement as a barrier to achieving academic excellence. Using phenomenological qualitative methods and AOM as a theoretical lens, the present study investigated the factors contributing to the academic engagement of three middle school students who were identified by their school as possessing the potential to demonstrate gifted academic ability. The students, as well as one of their teachers, were interviewed for the study. Thematic analysis revealed that teacher and student responses described environmental perceptions as the most influential component of their academic engagement. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Authors

• Kailah Hall, Baylor University

• Liesel Lutz, Baylor University

• Tracey N. Sulak, Baylor University