The Ins and Outs of the Gifted Programs: One and the Same?

The tech gurus and Nobel Prize winners of the 21st century are not former gifted students, yet they overachieved against the odds. This study addresses this anomaly and examines the effectiveness of gifted programs from the end point, when gifted students are in their professional careers or fields of study rather than its source, when they are waiting to be identified. With this new perspective of analysis, an online survey was conducted in Delaware Valley and Greater Nanticoke school districts. The goal was to evaluate the long-term impact of gifted programs in terms of their needs and purposes. Thirty-one respondents shared their experiences (n=31). Findings show evidence of satisfaction while indicating a negative long-term impact. This contradiction reveals a new need; work ethic in instructional methods of teaching. The emergence of an ethical capital opens the door to a 21st century educational system.