Effects of a Creative Problem-Solving Curriculum on Students of Varying Ability Levels

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of a creative problem solving curriculum on students of varying ability. Subjects were 267 middle school students in six schools who had previously been designated as gifted, honors, or average. To assess problem solving, treatment and companson students responded to a hypothetical problem before and after the treatment, with results scored by two independent judges for problem fluency, solution fluency, flexibility, originatity, and use of criteria. Teachers rated the creativity, ability to work in groups, and potential giftedness of all students before and-after the treatment. Treatment students showed significant gains in problem-solving ability compared with comparisons, with no significant differences among ability levels. Teacher ratings for gifted comparison students increased compared to those for gifted treatment students; ratings for treatment honors students generally increased. Teacher ratings for average students did not change, despite signficant increases in their problem-solving ability.