STATUS, PROBLEMS AND NEEDS WORKING WITH TALENTED PUPILS IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN CROATIA

Sa？etak In the paper is designed questionnaire to evaluate the situation and the need for gifted and talented students. The sample consisted of the condition and needs of gifted students in Croatian primary schools among 378 primary school teachers and subject teachers of all profiles. Factor analysis of the questionnaire obtained three factors: 1) Special programs, methods and forms of work with gifted children, 2) Direct social care for gifted children, 3) Identification of gifted children. They then tested the results on those three factors with respect to the different categories of teachers with regard to: a) three different regions of the Republic of Croatia, b) different profiles, c) the different years of service, and d) a different education of gifted children. The survey results show that teachers in primary schools by region of Croatia significantly more use of special programs, methods and forms of work in southern and central Croatian regions in relation to the north. In the central and northern regions compared to Croatian southern region teachers significantly more direct care for gifted children at different levels of society. The results of the factor of identification of gifted students are the lowest among teachers, which is not surprising because it is primarily business of school social services, they were significantly higher in southern and central Croatian regions in relation to the north. All profiles of teachers with gifted students statistically most do special programs, methods and forms of work, then care of gifted children. At least participate in the identification of gifted students. All categories of teachers with respect to years of service, as well as with regard to the education of gifted statistically most implemented specific programs, methods and forms of work with gifted children, then care of gifted at all levels of society, and at least participate in their identification. Concern about gifted students in the Republic of Croatia is still not satisfactory, and the paper provides some guidelines for improving the system