The Structural Problems Encountered in the Education of Gifted Students: The Case of BILSEM

Abstract

This paper investigates the structural problems encountered in the education of gifted students. The

population of the study is comprised of 72 Art and Science Centers (ASC) all around Turkey, and 26

centers from various geographical regions of Turkey constitute its sample. The participants of the study were 324 of the approximately 750 teachers and administrators who work at ASCs. This study employed the descriptive survey method. The data collection instrument was devised by the researchers and involved 16 questions. The Cronbach’s Alpha reliability coefficient was calculated as 0.813. Based on the results of the study, the laws and regulations passed for the education of gifted students and the share allocated in the budget of National Ministry of Education are insufficient. The number of the centers opened for the education of such students is not enough, either. Moreover, the centers have many problems such as identification, teacher education, insufficient physical infrastructure, inefficient collaboration with universities and The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey and various unsolved ones. Despite all the adversaries, it is indicated that the ASCs are an appropriate model for the education of gifted students.

 

Keywords: Gifted students, education, Art and Science Centers, Bilsem.