Publication Date

1965

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Schmidt, Wesley I.||Miller, Carroll H. (Carroll Hiram), 1907-

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Education

LCSH

Counseling in elementary education

Abstract

The Problem: It was the purpose of this study to determine the need for training and guidance of the preschool culturally deprived child and the gifted child at the elementary school level, and to determine present guidance practices in the elementary schools in a Midwest industrial community. The Procedure: The purpose of this study was accomplished by an investigation of literature, the development and administration of a survey questionnaire, the participation in interviews with representatives of the elementary schools in the community, and the development of a proposed outline of guidance for the elementary school In a community with these or similar problems. Conclusions and Recommendations: There is at present an increasing need for an organized and coordinated guidance program at the elementary level as well as at the secondary and college level. The program instituted should meet the needs of children and parents from all socio-economic levels from pre-school through grade six. Within the average industrial community there exists a wide range of incomes and of educational Interests. A percentage of the children of the community reach school age without the cultural background which will prepare them to compete In an academic situation with children from other backgrounds. It is necessary, therefore, to assist these children in making necessary adjustments prior to entry into school. The basic need within the community is the development of a pre-school training program for the culturally deprived, such as the federally sponsored Operation Head Start. This program, developed by the community with the financial backing of the Federal Government, chooses students from families with Incomes below a specified level with medical, dental, and social needs, and brings them together under the direction of qualified teachers and helpers chosen from the parents of the children involved and college and high school students. In this concentrated program of seven weeks of social and educational contact with adults and other children of their age, the goal is to "learn to learn." There is within the community another need, and that is with the group of children who are capable of learning at a very rapid rate. It is necessary within the community to provide educational facilities In which these students may progress at the rate at which they are capable. It is necessary, therefore, that a Gifted Program be developed. This program must offer, through trained and qualified personnel, a curriculum and guidance program which will aid the student in developing his potential. Between these extremes the large concentration of children are what are referred to as the "average students," the guidance program which is developed by a school system must center on the needs of this large group, as well as to meet the needs of the groups which have been mentioned previously. Although the needs vary widely from one area of the community to another, there must be a coordinated program of guidance and testing developed which may be adapted to the needs of each area of the school system, but which will coordinate the program of guidance as well as the curriculum. This program must begin with the pre-school group and continue through the elementary, secondary, and college programs. The average industrial community should develop a program of guidance which will Include the followings (1) Operation Head Start, (2) Gifted Project, and (3) a program of guidance which meets daily needs of the average child and which is coordinated with that of the higher levels of education within the school system.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references.

Extent

ix, 60 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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