Gifted students' value perceptions: differentiation to socio-demographic variables

Abstract

In Turkiye, Science and Art Centers (SACs) operate affiliated to the Ministry of National Education (MoNE) in order to develop individual talents and raise awareness of gifted students in preschool, primary school, secondary school and high school without disrupting their regular schooling. It is of great importance for not only the individual happiness of gifted children but also for the entire society to identify them at an early age and educate them as required by their personal abilities. The aim of this study is to examine the value perceptions of gifted students studying at SACs against selected variables. It is a survey research designs. The study sample consists of 712 students attending SACs at 14 different provinces determined with the maximum diversity sampling method. The data were collected by using the “Perceptions for Values Scale” developed by Beldağ (2012) comprised of seven sub-dimensions. Data analysis was performed by applying t-test and One-Way Analysis of Variance. As a result, the variables of gender, mother's education level, grade level, TV program(s) watched, and interests (hobbies) were found to affect value acquisition of gifted students. In light of the study results, it is recommended to include more values education practices in the contents taught at SACs.