Abstract

This descriptive study investigated the challenges related to implementing gifted education services in preschool centers. Participants were 254 licensed preschool center directors in a southern state. Participants completed a researcher-created survey including both selected response items and constructed response items to examine the perceived challenges of providing preschool gifted education services. Ninety-five percent of the preschool center directors had no formal policies or practices for gifted education, and 86% of the center directors had provided no gifted education training to staff. Using qualitative techniques of constant comparative analysis, substantive and theoretical categories yielded seven verifiable themes related to perceived challenges of gifted education in preschool centers: (a) finding and retaining a trained and qualified staff; (b) balancing time, space, and money constraints; (c) implementing gifted education practices; (d) overcoming oppositional beliefs; (e) acquiring educational resources; (f) outside factors; and (g) finding information and guidance. Results of this study imply that preschool educators have misunderstandings about gifted education in early childhood, and model policies and practices for recognizing and serving gifted children in preschool settings may be needed.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.