The evolution of several interrelated myths reflects a combination of misinterpretation of statistics, the commendable intention of ensuring that bias and prejudice do not play roles in the provision of services to underrepresented populations of gifted students, and misapplication of programming options for gifted students. Separately, these…

Older adults participate in education to fulfil coping, expressive, contributive, influence, and transcendence needs. Learning can promote sustained mental functioning and increase self-efficacy and social support. (Contains 15 references.) (SK)

This interview with Howard Spicker discusses his early leadership in the Head Start programs of the mid-1960s, his establishment of the Indiana University College for Gifted and Talented Youth, and his development of alternative procedures, instrumentation, and programs for gifted students from special populations. His work on Project SPRING is…

The historical evolution of concern for education of gifted students is traced, along with the philosophical tides accompanying that evolution from the 1950s through the 1980s. It is argued that the public is alternatively supportive and antagonistic toward the gifted/talented. Periods of intense concern about their educational welfare are often…

This commentary on the demonstration programs of the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program discusses their role in inducing educational change, their usefulness in illustrating new ideas, their broadening of the definition of the gifted student, their ability to change participating teachers' perspective, and their…

Research on motivation and gifted students is classified into two broad categories. The first focuses on motivation as a relatively stable characteristic useful for making decisions on identification, counseling, and some programming issues. The second defines motivation as a transitory outcome measure that may be affected by the educational…

To serve all gifted students, we must broaden identification methods, develop more and varied types of programs, and provide comprehensive teacher training. (Author/TE)

This article argues that decisions regarding identification, instruction, and programming for gifted students need to take into account not only their abilities but their styles of thinking. The article discusses the theory of mental self-government; data gathered from testing the theory; and relevance of thinking styles to decisions regarding…

This article suggests three broad categories of exceptionally able children, discusses the needs of exceptional students for recognition and understanding, and outlines several approaches to identification and provision. A whole-school approach is advocated for provision of education to gifted students, and a "mind-map" of such provision is…

Reviews the importance of assessment in placing students in two-year college composition courses and describes the development of the objective English Qualifying Examination used at Northern Virginia Community College. Includes sample test items. (MKM)

The educational attainment of college athletes has become a major national concern. Universities often have student athletes who are marginally prepared. Because universities accept these marginally prepared student athletes, it seems reasonable that they should provide special services necessary to reduce academic deficiencies. Raising academic…

This literature-based review examines characteristics of American Indians, difficulties and techniques in accurately identifying gifted American Indian students, and programming options. Emphasized is the need to formulate and implement a concrete plan of action for appropriately serving gifted American Indians while preserving their cultural and…

Continuous progress education (CP) provides for the individualization of all significant aspects of learning, including materials, content, objectives, methods, pacing, and student-teacher relationships. It is based on the proposition that no general prescriptions are equally appropriate for all students. A brief description of Hood River Valley…

This paper, presented at the International Conference on Education for the Gifted, outlines points for consideration in designing a program for the education of gifted children in the Republic of South Africa. The points focus on the importance of mainstreaming, identification of giftedness, the need for close cooperation between home and school,…

This book looks at gifted and talented students from a "national resource" point of view. The first chapter establishes the basic premise that gifted and talented children represent a significant resource to any nation and that it is profitable to the nation to invest in their development and education. Subsequent chapters describe types of…