Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.

• UNDERSTANDING THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF GIFTED AND TALENTED EDUCATION IN PENNSYLVANIA: HOW DO RACIAL DISPARITIES MANIFEST THEMSELVES IN PENNSYLVANIA’S GIFTED EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND WHAT FACTORS ARE DRIVING THE UNDERREPRESENTATION OF AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENTS?

  McGinley, Christopher W.; Estrada, Armando X.; Stull, Judith C., 1944-; Brooks, Wanda M., 1969- (Temple University. Libraries, 2023-08)

  Historically, the suppression of the academic development of gifted African American students, even those with a proven high IQ, resulted from the constraints of segregated learning environments and the generalized racist presumption of the inferiority of African Americans. The lack of federal policy regulating Gifted and Talented Education can be seen in the inconsistencies of every aspect of this work from identification to outcomes. Currently, over 3.3 million children are identified as gifted and talented in the United States. Yet the degree to which students are identified as mentally gifted and receive adequate programming varies dramatically from state to state, from one district to another, and based on race and socioeconomic status. Disparities in the availability and quality of Gifted and Talented Education programs along racial, socioeconomic, and geographic lines remain widespread. Though the misperception that Gifted and Talented students of any race need little support prevails, gifted students who do not have early and adequate access to gifted programming experience adverse effects. Within the historical context of the educational system and current landscape of Gifted and Talented Education, this research sought to answer three key questions. First, where and how do racial disparities manifest themselves in Gifted Education programs across the state of Pennsylvania? Second, what factors are contributing to or driving the underrepresentation of African American students in Gifted Education in Pennsylvania? Third, what strategies are being utilized at Pennsylvania state, district, and school levels to address racial disparities in Gifted and Talented Education and meet the needs of high-potential and high-performing African American students? To answer these questions, the researcher conducted a secondary data analysis of national, state, and district-level Gifted Education data; administered a survey and facilitated interviews with Pennsylvania school and district leaders; categorized participating schools based on best practices in the field of Gifted Education; and reviewed public artifacts including school district websites and annual Pennsylvania Gifted Education progress monitoring reports from 2017-2023. The overarching research themes suggested that disparities in Gifted Education exist throughout the state of Pennsylvania when compared with national data on gifted students overall and, to a heightened degree, gifted African American students. Person, place, and policy-based factors were assessed to be potentially driving and/or contributing to the underrepresentation of African American students in Gifted Education. While limited strategies surfaced that have already been used and documented to neutralize racial inequities effectively in Gifted Education, sound instructional and institutional practices were shared and strategies proposed for consideration. Key barriers to meeting students’ needs, the removal of which could potentially result in significant programmatic growth, were also revealed. In addition, the school and district leaders who participated in the study universally espoused a desire to learn more about Gifted Education, gifted students, and the inequities that impact gifted programming.
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  Brief of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Public Defender Association of Pennsylvania, and the Defender Association of Philadelphia, as Amici Curiae on Behalf of Petitioner

  Epstein, Jules (2010)
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  A Study of the Relationship Between and Among Scheduling, Grouping, Grading, Curriculum, and Mathematics Achievement in Pennsylvania Secondary Schools

  DuCette, Joseph P.; Schifter, Catherine; Davis, James Earl, 1960-; Fitt, David; Walker, Thomas J. (Temple University. Libraries, 2008)

  Widespread access to technology facilitates the sharing of effective classroom practices across disciplines. The implementation of successful practices is essential; particularly in this era of educational accountability, most notably the adequately yearly progress (AYP) goals of the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation. In addition to bottom-up classroom practices, teachers and other educational stakeholders are entitled to information about top-down policies to enhance teaching and learning. This study examines the correlation between policies in four areas and outcomes on one specific component of AYP in Pennsylvania public secondary schools. The policies considered herein are scheduling (traditional or block), grouping (homogeneous or heterogeneous), grading (weighted or not), and secondary math curriculum (U.S. Department of Education cited standards-based or traditional). This study quantifies the correlation between school district polices in these areas and results on the 11th grade mathematics portion of the 2006 Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA). Standard and Poor's recognizes school districts in Pennsylvania and across the country whose students have achieved NCLB testing outcomes that exceed expectations. In 2005, 55 Pennsylvania districts were cited by Standard and Poor's as being "outperforming school districts." The 60 secondary schools in these districts served as the population for this study. The study quantifies the correlation between the specific combinations of the four policies utilized by the 40 participating high schools and PSSA results. Evidence is discovered that, of the four policies, only block scheduling correlated with higher PSSA 11th grade math outcomes.