Analysis of Secondary Life Science among Competency-Based Gifted Education Programs of The Gifted Education Database

Objectives The purpose of this study is to provide implications for improving gifted education programs by analyzing the secondary life science among the competency-based gifted education programs of the Gifted Education Database (GED). Methods Among GED's competency-based gifted education programs, the secondary life science consists of ‘system and interaction’ in 2018, ‘energy’ and ‘stability’ in 2019, and ‘pattern of change’ in 2020. Since each major theme consists of several sub-topics and independent classes are conducted for each sub-topic, the class grouped into one sub-topic was considered as an individual program and analyzed. For the analysis of the program, the ‘evaluation criteria for science gifted education programs’ were used as an analysis tool. Three incumbent science teachers with experience in gifted education participated in the analysis of the program, and in order to secure the objectivity of the research, the analysis results were continuously discussed and opinions were collected. Results As a result of the analysis of a total of 15 programs, a score of 22 to 30 out of 36 points of the evaluation criteria appears. Looking at the main characteristics of the evaluation criteria, the most common characteristics in the 15 programs are ‘3. target clarity’, followed by ‘2. talent development opportunity’, ‘5. evaluation element’, and ‘6. learning activity’. On the other hand, the least visible characteristics in 15 programs are ‘10. consistency of program components and ease of use by other educators’, followed by ‘7. teaching strategy’ and ‘1. nature of differentiation’. Conclusions When developing competency-based gifted education programs in the secondary life science in the future, it is necessary to supplement the characteristics of ‘10. consistency of program components and ease of use by other educators’, ‘7. teaching strategy’, and ‘1. nature of differentiation’. Through this, it will be possible to actively support the talents and characteristics of gifted students, and teachers in the field of gifted education will be able to properly utilize the programs. In addition, it is necessary to further analyze competency-based gifted education programs in the elementary life science to closely link with secondary gifted education. Also, it is necessary to conduct additional research to directly observe classes on how the programs analyzed in this study are implemented in the field of gifted education.