The paper reviews the literature on the practice of mentoring as it applies to helping gifted/creative/talented students. It addresses: the attributes and traits of mentors and protegees; the roles of mentors; the relationship between mentors and students; how the needs of the gifted student might be filled through mentorship programs; and such…

Four brief reports focus on developments in the education of gifted students in Saskatchewan (including strengthening or enabling legislation), Ontario (including moves toward certification in gifted education), Quebec (including progress in Anglophone and Francophone sectors), and the Maritime provinces (including establishment of parent and…

Last year Marian Leibowitz presented workshops in 27 states on improving instruction for gifted and talented students. In this interview she gives an overview of what she has seen in programs around the country. (Author/MLF)

Among research issues cited are the ability of schools to help gifted children maximize their potential, the match between curriculum and students' learning ability, efficacy of program design, and validity of identification procedures. A brief summary of research findings considers such topics as early identification, differentiated curriculum,…

Presented are a literature review, model, and case study for effective local program development for gifted and talented students. The model applies the research on educational change and institutional excellence to the task of developing excellent programs for gifted/talented youth in school districts of various types and sizes. (PB)

Attitudes of teachers regarding inservice and staff development focused on gifted/talented students range from negative to hostile. Research and programs which encourage the development of effective inservice and staff development and which motivate teachers to be receptive and positive about developing skills to identify and teach gifted students…

The gifted handicapped student is discussed in terms of developing staff sensitivity, formulating an identification process, and developing a transdisciplinary team approach to create an individualized educational program for each child. Within the identification process a major new element is the Teacher Observational Item (TOI) list. (Author/SB)

The paper traces the history of special education programs for gifted students in Taiwan and describes the current goals and nature of gifted programs. Four areas of support from the Ministry of Education are noted: program design, teacher education, resources (publications and instructional materials), and research. The identification procedure…

The analogy of a compatible marriage is used to describe the relationship between gifted programing and test instrumentation for identification of giftedness. The interaction of programing and instrument development is explored from an historical perspective and from the personal viewpoint of a researcher/practitioner. (Author/JW)

These four monographs on the education of the gifted and the talented were prepared by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Monograph #1 addresses the questions of who the gifted and talented are and why they need special programs. Monograph #2 concerns staff involvement, and covers such topics as staff development, the role of the…

The paper examines key issues in the future of gifted education, first noting the emphasis in the current literature on the need for restructuring the curriculum, particularly in science and mathematics. Findings regarding definitions of gifted children are examined, noting the frequent practice of arbitrarily identifying those dimensions of…

The author describes how intellectual and academic strengths develop in young children and how children's daily behavior can reveal the presence of extraordinary capability. The relationships between the emergence of advanced intellectual skills and development of physical and social competencies are discussed. The implications of children's…

This paper examines cognitive capacities and dispositional characteristics that contribute to creative problem solving, including relationship generation skills, expertise, adaptability, and wisdom. The paper argues that programs for gifted and talented students should develop the beliefs, values, and motives that will encourage students to apply…

Despite problems encountered by the characteristics of rural education districts, successful and appropriate programs to teach gifted students can thrive by utilization of nontraditional techniques for student identification and by delivery of services through acceleration, technology, advanced placement classes, mentors, community resources, and…

The article addresses programing approaches for secondary gifted students used throughout the country. Goals, identification, and programing options are discussed, including types of acceleration, enrichment, special classes, on campus offerings outside the school day, off-campus options, and special schools. (CL)