Just as in 1982, when the myth of waiting for Santa Claus was first addressed in "Gifted Child Quarterly," many districts all over the country are still waiting for Santa Claus to arrive with a sleigh full of presents. Unfortunately, Santa and his presents in the form of mandates to identify and serve, funding, teachers licensed in…

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…

Summarizes the findings of a symposium on identifying and developing programs for gifted minority children. The school is the major agency for preparing the gifted minority for productive citizenship, and the key element is the teacher's ability to recognize and support the student's potential. (KH)

Several areas of concern are noted in the emerging national movement toward programs for mathematically gifted students. Four areas of current needs that could be better addressed which would greatly expedite current efforts are noted. (MP)

Drawing from a literature review and survey of community colleges with honors programs, this paper presents a series of recommended strategies and tactics for the establishment and continuation of community college honors programs. The recommendations are structured around the five developmental stages of academic innovation identified by S. V.…

The Johns Hopkins University Center for the Advancement of Academically Talented Youth and Duke University's Talent Identification Program are used as examples in this examination of the development of educational support systems in the identification and education of mathematically, scientifically, and verbally able youth. The educational support…

Examines the recent reemergence of honors programs in community colleges. Highlights the advantages of such programs, offers caveats concerning their establishment, and considers various structural models and special programmatic features. (DMM)

Discusses (1) rationale for early identification and programing for gifted/talented children, (2) issues in developing a program for young children, (3) procedures for identifying the young gifted child, (4) guidelines for program evaluation, and (5) principles for program development. Two university programs, one for identifying gifted…

This article identifies problems commonly attributed to acceleration for gifted students. Specific student concerns (such as friendships) and administrative concerns (such as difficulties in awarding course credits) are addressed. Five suggestions are made to help districts plan for providing accelerative options. (DB)

This article examines issues of student and program evaluation in determining the appropriateness of acceleration of gifted students. Intellective and nonintellective factors in identifying students for acceleration are discussed as are factors in monitoring student success. Specific program evaluation questions and design issues are also…

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

Honors programs are a viable part of the community college response to the challenges of the late 1980's. The growth in the two-year college memberships in Phi Theta Kappa and the National Collegiate Honors Council suggests that greater attention is being given to the academically able students at the two-year college. A rationale for developing…

Examines four categories of variables influencing the effectiveness of parent education programs for parents of gifted children: (1) content relevancy; (2) teaching techniques; (3) teacher characteristics; and (4) practical considerations. Makes specific suggestions to improve program effectiveness. Maintains that program planning should address…

Draws from the experiences of Brookhaven College in Texas to offer recommendations for establishing and operating an honors program at a community college. Presents guidelines regarding administrative organization, clerical needs, selection of qualified faculty, student eligibility requirements, program evaluation, and funding. (DMM)

Not nearly enough money is going into the identification and development of gifted and talented children. Policy is more concerned with eliminating inequity than developing talent. A strong belief in equal treatment and opportunity has been translated into special education efforts for children in crisis, but not for children with special gifts.…