Term

Fall 2025

Capstone

Dissertation

Degree Name

EdD

Primary Advisor/Dissertation Chair

Jennifer Carlson

Abstract

Knettel, M. (2025). Potential Impact of Educational Equity Leadership on Gifted Education

This qualitative single-case study examined how district-level educational equity leadership and policy impacted gifted education practices in a Minnesota school district. Despite well-documented underrepresentation of culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse students in gifted programs, limited research connects equity-centered leadership with the shifts necessary to transform gifted education practices. Using Dai and Chen’s (2013) framework of gifted education paradigms as a theoretical lens, this study investigated how the district defined educational equity in the context of gifted education, how educational leaders described their approach to providing gifted programs and services, and how equity definitions were reflected in practice. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with three district leaders and analysis of district artifacts, including policies, program review documents, and school board materials. The recursive analysis employed open and axial coding techniques, examined data through chronological, thematic, and paradigmatic lenses, and utilized triangulation across multiple sources. Findings revealed a school district in transition. This study demonstrated how district leadership can initiate meaningful change in gifted education while highlighting the complexity of making sustainable shifts. Implications include recommendations for professional development, policy alignment with equity values, and a systematic, continuous improvement process.

Research Methodology

Case Study, Document Studies (secondary analyses of public documents, national data sets), Grounded Theory, Interview

Keywords

Keywords: gifted education, equity, policy, leadership, grounded theory, interview, case study, document studies

dc_type

text

dc_publisher

DigitalCommons@Hamline

dc_format

application/pdf

dc_source

School of Education Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

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