Determining Accessibility and Availability of Gifted Information on School District Websites

Abstract

Accessibility to gifted programs is related to processes by which students are screened for eligibility and have knowledge of options for participation. Accessibility via websites is related to usability for all users, including those with limited technology or connectivity. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate accessibility and availability of information regarding gifted education for parents of gifted students from historically marginalized student populations. We conducted a content analysis of Florida’s 74 district websites to determine accessibility and availability of gifted information. We found a disparity between accessibility based on number of clicks and availability based on embeddedness of information, although quantity of clicks was not necessarily correlated with the availability of information. Our findings led to practical implications and actionable items for educational institutions to address the potential impact of accessibility to gifted identification/program participation for students from underrepresented populations.