Degree Name

Education Specialist (EdS)

Semester of Degree Completion

1984

Thesis Director

David E. Bartz

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate whether the following were predictors of mathematical giftedness as measured by the Scholastic Aptitude Test-Mathematics:

  1. family income
  2. father's level of education
  3. sex of student
  4. student's liking for school
  5. time spent on home computer by student
  6. marital status of the parents

This study was based on The Study of Mathematically Precocious Youth done by Stanley at Johns Hopkins University.

Two forms of The Questionnaire for Academic Talent Search were developed; (1) a student form and (2) a parent form. The instruments were based on those used by Stanley with a few items added by the researcher. These were sent to 380 students in eighteen counties in east central Illinois. A response rate of ninety-seven percent was obtained. The students contacted were in seventh grade and had scored in the ninety-fifth percentile on a district administered norm-referenced test on either the mathematics and/or verbal subtest.

A review of the literature revealed that there may be several factors impacting on the mathematical differences between boys and girls. These included: 1) sex-role stereotyping, 2) teacher influence, 3) attribution theory, and 4) spatial visualization.

A one-way analysis of variance model was used to compare group means to determine if a significant difference occurred at the .05 level. A significant relationship was found between two of the variables and the math SAT scores; 1) for the family income and 2) the sex of the student. The other four variables were not found to be significant. The conclusions drawn were that family level of income is closely related to the math SAT score and that boys score higher than girls on the math SAT.

Finally, a list of four recommendations were offered by the researcher. These focused on more inservice for teachers, parents and counselors and, early identification with long-range curriculum planning for gifted students.

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