The Extent, Nature and Effectiveness of Planned Approaches in ...

The Extent and Nature of Identification and Provisions forGifted and Talented Students in New Zealand SchoolsINFORMATION SHEETIN-DEPTH INTERVIEWAs part of the Ministry of Education’s initiatives for gifted and talented students, a team of researchers from MasseyUniversity has been commissioned to investigate the extent and nature of identification and provisions in New Zealandschools. The research has three phases: a review of the literature; a survey of all New Zealand schools; and case studiesof schools with promising provisions.The survey of all schools in New Zealand has been completed, and your school has agreed to work with us during phasethree as we examine promising practices related to the identification and provisions for gifted students. Your school wasselected based upon the comprehensive procedures, identification and provisions which have been reported, alongsidethe need to have a sample representative of the different types of schools in New Zealand. Our purpose in this phase ofthe research is to gather nine in-depth information about your school’s ‘journey’ to date, future plans, and the enablersand bathers to effective identification and provisions. From a Ministry perspective, the information you provide will beuseful in planning future directions and initiatives in gifted and talented education. This information is not beingcollected as a means of assessing or judging you or your school.As the person(s) responsible for gilled and talented education in your school, we would like to conduct a semistructuredin-depth interview with you. The interview will be conducted during the school thy at a tire convenient toyou. The interview should last approximately one and a half hours. The purpose in the interview is to gain a furtherunderstanding of your school’s organisational strategies, identification procedures and provisions for gilled and talentedstudents. A set of interview questions is enclosed. During the visit, if feasible, the research team member would like toinformally visit and observe classrooms or programmes; and like access to, and when applicable, photocopies of anywritten documentation, such as policies, action plans, registers and so on for the purpose of document analysis. Finally,we would appreciate your assistance in the selection of a group of teachers for the focus group interviews.The findings from the case studies will be presented across broad themes, as opposed to individual cases. For example,in relation to the steps taken toward effective provisions we will analyse the responses from all case study schools,reporting broad generalisations and themes which emerge. In this way neither you nor your school will be named oridentified in the final reportThe interview will be tape-recorded and transcribed for analysis. We will make the transcribed interview available toyou for checking of accuracy and further comment. All data will be stored in a secure location at Massey University fora period of five years. The findings of this research will only be used for the purpose of submitting a final report to theMinistry, and any other publications and presentations which may arise.As compensation for your involvement, one day’s teacher release funding will be paid to your school. Once the report iscomplete and available for release a copy will be sent to your schooLAs a participant, you have the right to:• Decline to participate;• Decline to answer any particular questions;• Withdraw from the study;• Ask any questions about the study at any time during participation;• Provide information on the understanding that your name, or that of your school, will not be used;• Ask for the audiotape to be turned off at any time during the interviews.This research project adheres to the Code of Ethical Conduct for Research, Teaching and Evaluations; however, if youhave any concerns about the conduct of this research, please contact Professor Sylvia V Rumball, Chair, MasseyUniversity Campus Human Ethics Committee: Palmerston North, telephone 06 350 5249, emailS.V.Rumball@massey.ac.nz If you have any questions or concerns regarding your involvement in this research, pleasecontact the Project Director, Dr Tracy Riley on 06 350 5799 extension 8625 or T.L.Riley@niassey.ac.nz328