Associated Press - November 17, 2009 7:15 PM ET

Corrected Version

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Gov. Tim Kaine is directing the education department to study the low number of minority students in gifted education programs.

The governor's actions Tuesday follow the release of statistics by school divisions that show African-American and Hispanic students have disproportionately low numbers in those programs.

African-American students, for example, make up 26 percent of the statewide school population, but only 12 percent of students in gifted programs. For Hispanic students, the numbers are 9 percent and 5 percent.

Kaine said it's important to examine any "barriers to enrollment" among black and Hispanic students.

The study will be completed by next spring.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.