Development of an identification model for gifted students at 4-5 ages: The case of Turkey

The purpose of this study is to develop an identification model based on a theoretical framework and performance to identify talented children in 4-5 years old who take education in preschools. The validity of it was examined by, receiving opinions of the practitioners and comparing the talented children with the children who were not identified to be talented and with the children who were indicated to be talented by their teachers or parents. In this study, mixed research methods were utilized, at first comparative research and then descriptive research. The population and sampling of the study is consisted of 35 students in the nursery classes of two different schools in central Mersin.Convenience sampling was used in forming the sample.The obtained data was analyzed by, comparing the scores with the discrepancies identified from the research problem, analyzing of correlations of observations and describing of views.The current data collected through teacher questionnaire and interview data on advantages and disadvantages of using it were categorized by three experts and described in percentage and frequency.The results showed that the students identified with it were different, there were significant relationships between the values in the observations forms developed based on theoretical structure and according to the teachers identified students need special education. Therefore, it has been concluded that it may identify students who need special education, provides consistent measurements and it is applicable. It has been also found out that performance measurements includes different features from test results and it has provided a richer data.