Understanding the Academic Characteristics of Underprivileged Gifted Students Based on Socio-economic Backgrounds

Disadvantaged gifted students come from diverse backgrounds, necessitating an approach that considers their specific circumstances rather than treating them as a homogeneous group. This study classifies them into economically and socially disadvantaged groups and examines their academic characteristics. A total of 129 elementary school students participated in the study, 55 were economically and 74 socially disadvantaged. Findings show that economically disadvantaged gifted students have lower academic self-regulation, engagement, and preference for challenging tasks than their socially disadvantaged peers. Based on these results, this study suggests essential components for educational programs that effectively support disadvantaged gifted students.