Factors Affecting the Academic Choices of Academically Talented Middle School Students

Abstract

This study examines the factors that influence the couise choices of gifted middle school students who participated in a summer academic program. Specifically, we studied factors that influence the choices between math, science, and verbal oriented courses. The factors included gender, race, ability, previous educational experiences, interests, and parental attitudes. Results show that there was a gender difference favoring males for selection of math and science courses over verbal ones. Parental attitudes and previous educational experiences influenced the selection of a math class over a verbal course. Parental attitudes and race influenced the selection of a science course over a verbal course. The importance that parents place on mathematics and science for the child's future had the most powerful influence over a student's selections compared to other variables and appears to offset negative attitudes that might prevent females from selecting math courses.