This article discusses the underrepresentation of children from minority backgrounds in gifted education and the ultimate goal of gifted education to make children's lives better. Barriers to appropriate gifted identification are discussed and include state/local requirements and inadequate identification procedures, stereotypes and racism, and…

Research and literature are reviewed to support the thesis that new identification procedures, appropriate criteria for evaluating identification procedures, new curricular and instructional programs, and changes in beliefs and stereotypes are needed to resolve the problem of underrepresentation of minority students in gifted programs. A…

This review of research and literature examines issues related to the identification of potentially gifted students from groups most likely to be underrepresented in gifted education programs, including racial and ethnic minority groups, economically disadvantaged students, and those with limited English proficiency. Three major reasons for…