Perceived Challenges for Rural Gifted Education

Abstract

Rural communities and school systems are the heart of many states across the nation. Yet, many of the challenges facing rural gifted education remain unanswered. There is limited research or policy focused on gifted students, teachers of the gifted, or gifted programming in rural settings. Understanding how culture defines rural communities and influences educational decisions is key in overcoming challenges within gifted programs. This study seeks to explore some of the perceived challenges and the influence of rural culture in providing gifted services in four rural school districts in Texas. Findings highlight the struggles of rural gifted programs to identify and serve gifted students. These struggles fall into three categories: limited funding, limited time, and limited resources available for gifted programs.

Reflections on Rural Gifted Education in Texas

“…This is essential in rural areas, where often gifted programming must do more with less and be flexible in program delivery (Lewis, 2015). The struggles of providing high-quality gifted programming in uniquely rural areas is explored in current literature (Azano et al, 2014(Azano et al, , 2017Lewis, 2015;Lewis & Boswell, 2020;Richards & Stambaugh, 2015). Limited funding, resources, and time are the three core factors affecting rural gifted programs.…”

“…Limited time is a challenge for providing gifted programming in rural districts (Azano et al, 2014(Azano et al, , 2017Lewis & Boswell, 2020). Often the pressures of state standardized testing result in focusing on raising students to meet proficiency standards rather than excelling beyond proficiency.…”

“…Rural school districts reflect a population whose diversity includes cultural, linguistic, economic, and geographic diversity. When factoring in the impact of rural culture and sense of place on rural school communities, appropriate services with best practices are challenging (Lewis & Boswell, 2020). These factors combined create a challenge for educators to employ effective gifted curriculum and instructional strategies for roughly half of the nations' school districts (Eppley et al, 2018;Lewis & Boswell, 2020;VanTassel-Baska & Hubbard, 2016).…”

“…Rural gifted education programs are faced with many challenges in the development of and implementation of all aspects of gifted programming (Azano et al, 2014(Azano et al, , 2017Lewis, 2015;Lewis & Boswell, 2020;Richards & Stambaugh, 2015). However, several questions remain to be answered, including what works for rural gifted education, and how rural gifted programs are successful.…”

“…In a previous study (Lewis & Boswell, 2020) we explored the types of teaching experiences teachers of gifted had, along with the types gifted programming and services offered, in small, rural, and remote districts in Texas. In addition, we sought to understand the challenges and value of gifted programming in these communities.…”