In March 1978, under the suggestion of Chinese-born Nobel Prize laureate Tsung-Dao Lee, China launched its first gifted education program at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC). Based on nominations and interviews, 21 gifted students aged 11-16 were enrolled in USTC and comprised a special class. Five years later, the early…

Programs offered by Israel's Department for Gifted Children and Science Oriented Youth are described, focusing on the Ofek School's pull-out programs for students from both religious and secular schools, the science activities of the Weizmann Institute, other science-oriented programs, and study tours for foreign students. (JDD)

This survey of 232 parents of developmentally delayed or typical preschool children found that parent attitudes were favorable toward mainstreaming, regardless of their child's placement in a mainstreamed or segregated program. Compared to parents of segregated children, parents of mainstreamed children indicated stronger opinions about the…

The gifted program at a secondary school near Montreal (Quebec, Canada) is described. The program serves 7 percent of the school's 1700 students and includes special classes, facilities, and opportunities. The program is pyramidally structured, feeding from foundation development and self-enrichment into specialization. Core staff, mentors,…

This article discusses various kinds of curriculum provision for gifted students, including pull-out extension and enrichment programs, special schools and special classes, and special programs integrated within classes. The use of the terms "enrichment" and "extension" is also examined. (Author/JDD)

Education of the gifted in Israel is described, focusing on its historical background, aims, definitions, pupil identification, programs, curriculum, and teachers. Programs consist of special classes, morning and afternoon enrichment groups, and two associations: The Institute for the Promotion of Arts and Science, and Programs for the Promotion…

A case study investigated the effectiveness of a new self-contained classroom with curriculum that was differentiated for 24 highly intellectually gifted fourth-and fifth-grade students. Results indicate the self-contained classroom provided a challenging learning environment for the students, but students' response to this more challenging…

Comparison of primary grade students (n=67) with mild mental retardation in Croatia (Yugoslavia) receiving either a special program designed by special and regular educators, regular class services but no special educational help, occasional special educational help, or special services in a special school found that students in the first group…

An elementary-school self-contained gifted class was compared to a control group on a general test of cognitive ability. Program participants exhibited significantly higher gains than did controls, and at the end of the program, participants also rated the quality of their school life more highly than did controls. (Author/JDD)

Asserts that research on parents of children with special needs often reveals their lack of power and difficulty in establishing partnerships with professionals. Reports on a study of parents of 114 special needs students. Finds that parents of mild/moderate learning difficulties do not have powerful advocacy groups to promote their cause. (CFR)

Discusses how hard it is to define the gifted child and the difficulty of enriching and extending gifted children in the areas of reading and writing. Recommends starting the gifted sooner or accelerating them more quickly through a program, among other strategies. (NKA)