The purpose of this document is to highlight "what works" based on the curriculum development and research work of the Center for Gifted Education during the past 20 years. Areas of study include curriculum development, instruction, assessment, and professional development. Through the use of the Integrated Curriculum Model as a template for …

Evaluation of an instrumental enrichment program with 80 gifted children (ages 10-12) from culturally disadvantaged backgrounds and a follow-up study 4 years later showed: (1) generalization effects on verbal and nonverbal thinking tasks, and (2) durability of effects on thinking tasks and broad generalization in school achievement. (Author/DB)

This "ERIC Digest" discusses the components of an effective educational program for students who are gifted. The paper defines the term "program" and distinguishes between programs and provisions. Eight major components of an effective program are noted: needs assessment, definition of population, identification procedures,…

This project was a 2-year investigation of elementary school children placed in programs for high-ability learners. The primary purpose of the study was to investigate academic and affective changes in students during their first 2 years in a gifted program. Students were assessed during the fall of one year and the spring of the next year.…

Describes an independent reading program for gifted students used by the the Blue Mountain Union Schools in Wells River, Vermont. (JL)

As presented, goal attainment scaling involves devising a set of goals with involved persons, assigning weights to these goals, developing a set of expected outcomes for each goal, scoring the outcomes, and calculating a summary score of the outcomes across the goals. (Author/DLS)

A study investigated the long-term impact of acceleration on academically talented youth. Twenty-three females and 20 males completed questionnaires about the California State University at Sacramento (CSUS) Academic Talent Search Program they had attended 4 years previously as junior high students. Students reported on the experiences, academic…

Discusses major policy issues in gifted education in the 1970s and 1980s, particularly those of determining eligibility and of defining gifted education curriculum and its relationship with basic education. Recommends adopting an "ecological approach," in which available basic education programs and individual students' needs are considered in…

The study examines the effectiveness of the New York City mandated (Chapter 53 of the Laws of 1980) screening program to identify handicapped and gifted students entering kindergarten or first grade. Noted are the law's assumptions: (1) that it is possible to determine giftedness or handicapping conditions at ages 5 and 6; (2) that it is possible…

The Individual Progress Program (IPP) is an approach designed to serve extremely advanced gifted students (grades 1 through 9) in the Seattle area. IPP is intended to meet students' unmet educational needs by allowing them to progress at their own accelerated pace through a broadly based curriculum while also pursuing interest areas. The program…

The manual is intended to help local education agencies assess the overall quality of its programs and services for academically gifted students. The approach can aid in future planning by measuring the extent to which current goals are being met. Chapter 2 outlines the program goal approach and sets forth three major goals (and their related…

This study evaluated a Chattanooga, Tennessee, leadership training program provided to 30 grade 10-11 students who demonstrated high leadership potential. Program results indicated positive changes in student openness, persuasiveness, ascendance, individual decision making, and self-assurance. A three-month followup found lasting effects, with…

The Motivate and Stimulate for Excellence project was designed to provide academically above-average primary and intermediate level elementary school students at 10 project schools with enrichment activities to enhance their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Process and product evaluations assessed the extent to which project…

The study investigates factors influencing the establishment, operation, and elimination of an elementary enriched/accelerated program existing from 1958-69. The program's life cycle and perceived effects on students were investigated to determine factors that may continue to affect programing for the gifted/talented. (Author/JDD)

This article provides a consistent framework through which educators may better identify and serve gifted and talented students by revisiting the dynamics of the Schoolwide Enrichment Model (SEM) in relation to student achievement. Delivery and structural and organizational components of SEM are discussed, along with research supporting the model.…