This newsletter theme issue deals with summer program offerings for academically talented youth. It notes the benefits of summer programs and outlines factors to consider in choosing the most appropriate one. Several types of programs are then described, including talent search programs, young students programs, math programs, science programs,…

Four issues of the newletter focus on aspects of education for academically talented students. The major articles in each issue address the following topics: the importance of career, psychosocial, and academic counseling for gifted students; curriculum development; summer programs of the Midwest Talent Search (MTS); leadership training; the…

In recent research, female adolescents have been found to prefer history, language, and writing courses, while male adolescents have been found to prefer mathematics and science courses. These gender differences in course selection occurred despite the fact that female and male adolescents performed equally well in these courses. This study…

Students (n=570, aged 12-16) who attended university-sponsored science and mathematics summer classes reported on their subsequent status at their regular schools pertaining to credit and placement issues. Advanced placement was given more often than credit, although in most cases both were awarded, particularly for high school level coursework.…

A program evaluation was conducted of a summer program for academically gifted students in 5th through 10th grades. The purpose of this study was to evaluate discrepancies and congruencies among program teachers, counselors, and students in perceptions of program goal emphasis. The evaluation instrument used was a rating form composed of 60 goal…

Described is a two-week summer residential program designed for students who have been identified through one of several middle school talent searches. Discussed are the assumptions and goals, course content and pedagogy, evaluation, and materials of the program. (CW)

A combination of drills, quizzes, journal writing, and creative class activities was used in a summer program designed to develop the vocabulary of gifted students. (RL)

The study attempted to chart the differences in self-concept between academically gifted and non-gifted competent seventh-graders, and also to investigate the attributional patterns associated with self-concept across four domains of activity--social and academic achievement oriented success and failure. The study attempted to measure changes in…

College academy in Massachusetts, a summer program for academically talented youngsters in grades four through eight was designed by parents of a bright child. The academy offers nontraditional, intellectually challenging courses that unite brains and hands (e.g., typing, cartooning), as well as courses such as mime and drama and computer…

Describes the Mississippi Governor's School, an intensive three-week summer school for gifted high school students. Explains format of major courses, use of the American Chemical Society computer course in polymer chemistry, discussion sections, and hands-on laboratory. (JM)

Describes the process of developing a summer school social studies program for academically talented seventh graders. Based on a video encyclopedia, the program covers social, political, economic, and cultural events of the twentieth century. Includes sample activities. (LS)

The evaluation of the Portland (Oregon) Public Schools' Summer Program focused on academic achievement of its students, grades K-8, who participated in 1985. Courses included arts and crafts as well as basic and remedial instruction in reading, mathematics, and language. The achievement gains of summer school students were compared to the whole…

Describes the purpose and operations of two Duke University programs for gifted students. The Talent Identification Program aids students in schools primarily within 16 states in the Southeast, Midwest, and Southwest. The Precollege Program involves middle and high school students in a Summer Residential Program. Seven references are appended. (IW)

This collection of 20 digests on gifted students is intended to provide practical information for students themselves, their families, professional educators, community groups, and others. Resources, hints and tips, and suggestions for additional reading are included in most digests. Digests have the following titles and authors/primary…