ERIC Number: ED307303
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1989-Mar
Pages: 14
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Acceleration for the Academically Talented: A Follow-Up of the Academic Talent Search Class of 1984.
Thomas, Terry A.
The purpose was to investigate the long-term impact of the California State University (Sacramento) Academic Talent Search Summer School (ATSSS) by means of a longitudinal follow-up of students at an interval of 4 years. A group of 100 academically talented middle school students (grades 7 through 9) were selected from the 350 participants in the ATSSS at California State University in 1984. Qualifications for the program were based on scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Test or equivalent test scores. During the summer, students studied fast-paced mathematics, writing, and/or Latin. Four years later, in 1988, a questionnaire was mailed to the selected students to determine their high school experiences. A response rate of 80% of the 100 locatable students gave a sample that compared favorably with the 1984 summer school group. Responses were analyzed descriptively using frequency distribution and cross-tabulation tables. Results indicate that: (1) program participants viewed the experience as highly positive; (2) academic acceleration through the program was associated with positive changes in school grades as indicated by grade point averages, interest in school and learning, and in students' abilities to get along with intellectual peers, age peers, and adults; (3) the program contributed to self-esteem and feelings of self-control; and (4) participants performed well in sports as well as academics. No pattern of social maladjustments or harmful results from the acceleration was found. (TJH)
Descriptors: Academically Gifted, Acceleration (Education), Extracurricular Activities, Followup Studies, Grade Point Average, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9, Junior High School Students, Junior High Schools, Longitudinal Studies, Middle Schools, Peer Acceptance, Program Effectiveness, Self Concept, Social Adjustment, Student Attitudes, Student Motivation, Summer Schools, Talent
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A