Programming, Grouping, and Acceleration in Rural School Districts: A Survey of Attitudes and Practices

The development of gifted education programs is influenced by the characteristics of communities, values of residents, constraints that work against change and forces that impel change. The levels and types of programming offered to gifted students in rural and urban school districts were compared in this study. Rural and school districts were compared in this study. Rural and urban districts were also compared on their uses of ability grouping in regular education programs and academic acceleration. The results of the study revealed that rural school districts are less apt to use ability grouping or academic acceleration to provide a developed range of options for gifted and talented students. Sporadic extracurricular activities tend to play more important roles in rural programs. Factors that influence the nature and quality of education of gifted and talented students in rural areas are discussed.