Project Abstract
This is a longitudinal project begun in 2004 which investigates the school experiences of Year 6 and Year 8 boys identified as gifted and talented in a range of rural and urban schools in Canterbury. Phase 1, in 2004, was focus groups sessions with boys to determine the key areas of schooling relevant to them. A questionnaire and semi-structured interview schedule were designed on the basis of the focus group data and Phase 2 saw the administration of these with 34 boys in 2005. In 2005 the National Administration Guideline 1 (iii) was amended to include gifted and talented learners as a special group requiring identification and provision. Phase 3 is being conducted in 2010 and a group of 34 boys in Years 6 and 8 will complete the same questionnaire and interview to determine what, if any, differences are reported after five years of mandated gifted education provision.