Black Smart: Examining a Gifted Education Program's Outreach and Engagement to Empower Parents of Gifted Black Students

Abstract

This qualitative study explored the effectiveness of outreach efforts to increase parent referrals of potentially gifted Black students at Hylo Park Intermediate School. Black students are underrepresented in gifted education and overrepresented in special education. Historically, Black-parent referrals for gifted testing have been low at Hylo Park Intermediate School. In order to increase referrals from Black parents, the parent referral process for gifted education was simplified, and Black parents were provided opportunities to engage with the campus gifted education coordinator about the gifted education–testing process. Data were gathered in order to understand Black parents’ concerns and beliefs about gifted education. Qualitative data collected from parents revealed that Black parents had questions and concerns about preparing for testing, perceived negative and positive behaviors, and future opportunities for their children. The gifted and talented parent nomination process was shared with parents on the campus website and social media platforms. Parents were also invited to attend a gifted and talented information night. Data and analytics were collected in order to determine the effect of increased parent outreach. Results showed a significant increase in Black parent referrals for gifted and talented testing in 2019 following the outreach efforts.