GIFTED ACHIEVERS AND UNDERACHIEVERS - A COMPARISON OF PATTERNS FOUND IN SCHOOL FILES

Underachievement in gifted students has perplexed educators and parent s for decades. Researchers are continually looking for information abo ut the nature and patterns of gifted underachievers that will enlighte n those concerned. Counselors are particularly involved, because they often are asked to provide illumination and interventions. This study demonstrates how information in the cumulative school file, accessible to the school counselor, is a rich resource for understanding the pat terns of achievement and underachievement among students identified as gifted and for use in planning interventions for students at risk for underachievement. Participants were gifted students (N = 153) who wer e determined to be either achievers or underachievers, based on their grade point average at graduation. High and moderate achievers and mod erate and extreme underachievers were compared on information found in the school file, such as attendance, tardiness, course selection, and onset and duration of underachievement. Results indicate that there a re differences between achievers and underachievers on a number of var iables Sound in the school files. Profiles of these groups are present ed with suggestions for actions by counselors.