Developing Talents Among High-Potential Students From Low-Income Families in an Out-of-School Enrichment Program

Enrichment programs can provide various social and academic benefits for high-potential learners. However, students from low-income families receive fewer opportunities for academic enrichment than students from higher income backgrounds. This qualitative study examined the experiences and perceptio...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of advanced academics Vol. 21; no. 4; pp. 594 - 627
Main Authors Miller, Rachelle, Gentry, Marcia
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.08.2010
Sage Publications, Inc
SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
Prufrock Press Inc
Subjects
Academic Achievement
Academically Gifted
After School Programs
Black students
Class Activities
Classroom Observation Techniques
Enrichment Activities
Family
Financial Support
Gifted
Interactive learning
Learning Activities
Low Income Groups
Program Effectiveness
Program Evaluation
Schools
Social aspects
Student Attitudes
Student Experience
Student Surveys
Students
Studies
Teachers
Teaching Methods
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Summary:Enrichment programs can provide various social and academic benefits for high-potential learners. However, students from low-income families receive fewer opportunities for academic enrichment than students from higher income backgrounds. This qualitative study examined the experiences and perceptions of high-potential students from low-income families who received financial support in order to attend an out-of-school enrichment program. Interviews and observations revealed four major benefits: positive experiences; new, above-grade-level concepts; interactive learning; and social support. In addition, descriptive results from student evaluations comparing students from low-income families to the rest of the participants indicated that both groups had similar perceptions of their classroom activities, concepts, and teachers. Findings suggested when they are provided with opportunities to participate in classes that interest them, high-potential students from low-income families can successfully perform in an out-of-school enrichment program and experience the same social and academic benefits as other gifted students.
ISSN:1932-202X
2162-9536
DOI:10.1177/1932202X1002100403