Gifted Students’ Motivation-Related Class Perceptions in a University-Based Enrichment Program: A Multilevel Latent Profile Analysis

• In Event: Talent Pipelines and Summer Programs

Abstract

This study examined gifted students' motivation-related perceptions and class motivational environment in a university-based summer enrichment program. Analyzing data from 782 fifth and sixth-grade students in 80 classes over nine years through multilevel latent profile analysis (MLPA), three student-level (less motivated, moderately motivated, and highly motivated) and two class-level latent profiles (low motivational environment and moderate-to-low motivational environment) were identified, reflecting diverse student perceptions across classes. Multinomial logistic regression analyses indicated that female students, students receiving financial support, and students from diverse cultural backgrounds experienced higher levels of self-efficacy, appeal, challenge, choice, and meaningfulness in their classes. The study adopts a novel person-centered approach in gifted education, emphasizing the importance of shifting from “variables” to “individuals.”

Authors

• Tugce Karatas, Purdue University

• Nielsen Pereira, Purdue University/Gifted Education Research & Resource Institute

• Yukiko Maeda, Purdue University