In a rare opportunity for gifted young people to share their experience of growing up gifted in Ireland, we are looking for gifted second level students to participate in a study of the supports available to them in school, particularly with regard to guidance counselling provision. This involves the completion of an anonymous questionnaire which should take only 15 to 20 minutes. By gifted, we mean either formally or informally identified. This may be, for example, by an educational psychologist, acceptance for the CTYI/CAT programmes or identification by a teacher.
This survey is being carried out by Tracy Gibson, a second level teacher and guidance counsellor, who is currently studying for a Master’s in Guidance Counselling with the Department of Educational and Professional studies at the University of Limerick. As part of her studies, she must complete a research dissertation on a topic of interest to her and related to guidance counselling. We are thrilled that she has chosen to study The Role of the Guidance Counsellor in Supporting Gifted Students in Post-Primary Schools in Ireland.
Tracy has already completed a study of this issue from the point of view of the guidance counsellor and, having read her thesis and met with her as she prepared for this second piece of research, we are very impressed with the quality of her work and her depth of understanding and interest in this area. It is very exciting and encouraging to see research being done into giftedness in an Irish setting. It will help us, as advocates, to make a stronger case for recognition and support of our gifted students if our argument is backed up by current research done here. So, we are asking for you help to make this study as big and useful as possible.
In order to satisfy the requirements of the UL ethics committee, signed parental and student consent must be given. Therefore, the survey must be completed in hardcopy form. If you would like to participate, or would like further details or clarification, please contact Tracy at survey[at]giftedireland.ie or by using the form below. Responses needed by Friday 14th March, so please allow time for posting back and forth! Please leave your postal address in your message.
If you are a relative, teacher or friend of a gifted post-primary student, please let them know about this study and encourage them to participate.
