Title: Availability of Extracurricular and Cultural Opportunities for Rural Middle Level Gifted Students<sup>1</sup>
Abstract: The two studies presented in this paper examine the level of resources available to middle level gifted students in rural settings. Study one involved 235 middle level gifted students in eight states and compared the opportunities available to rural and suburban students, including cultural (e.g., access to museums, art exhibits, theatre), athletic, and other extracurricular activities. Differences between availability of opportunities for rural and suburban students were quite small. Study one suggested that assumptions that rural gifted students have fewer cultural opportunities and experiences than suburban students may lack validity. Study two, involving 210 middle schools in Maine, compares the level of extracurricular and academic resources available in schools with gifted programs to resources in schools without such programs. Results suggest that rural gifted students with access to gifted programs have greater access to activities and resources, especially athletic teams and late-model computers. Collectively, the results suggest that lack of opportunity is not an inherent rural trait, but that disparity exists within rural American schools. Possible causes of this disparity, including population and funding differences, should be the focal point of future research.
Publication Year: 1996
Publication Date: 1996-12-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 2
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