The Participation of Students Who are Identified as Gifted and Talented in Minnesota's Open Enrollment Option

Abstract

The extent to which students who were identified as gifted and talented participating in Minnesota's Open Enrollment Option was investigated. Information was drawn from surveys on 26 students who were identified as gifted and talented and transferred to nonresident schools through Open Enrollment during the 1990–91 school year. Parental involvement in school before and after the transfer, reasons for transferring, and other experiences in exercising the option were studied. The results were compared to those of students without special needs (n=60). Parents of students with special talents moderately increased their involvement at their chosen school. Academic and educational concerns were some of the main reasons that prompted these students to transfer. The most valuable sources of information about the option were the mass media and the school principal. Most parents expressed satisfaction with the option-, yet, many experienced transportation problems. Important applications for these findings were discussed.