Date of Graduation

2003

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MA

Committee Chair

Jim Nolan

Abstract

Little has been written concerning the effects of student testing for participation in gifted programs. Moreover, few studies have sought to apply a sociological perspective to the understanding of student testing. This research examines the academic achievement and selfconcept of high-achieving students in two West Virginia counties who were targeted for testing for the gifted program. Three subgroups are examined; 1) students tested for gifted programs and accepted; 2) students tested for the gifted program who were not accepted; and 3) students who were not tested but meet the criteria for initial screening. This examination consists of comparing classroom academic achievement and self-concept between these three groups. Results indicated that differences in self-concept were insignificant between groups and students who were tested, regardless of acceptance, tended to have significantly higher academic achievement than students not tested.

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