In the context of China's social transformation and educational reform, addressing the problems of fragmented and ineffective learning in traditional teaching modes and enhancing students' academic levels and developing their comprehensive abilities through structured classroom learning have become critical issues in educational reform. The…

Talent Development Middle Grades Program (TDMG) is a whole school reform approach for large middle schools that face serious problems with student attendance, discipline, and academic achievement. The program includes both structural and curriculum reforms. The What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) identified 17 studies of TDMG that were published or…

Innovation has powered America's economy, creating good jobs and a high standard of living. Yet, the U.S. share of innovation-based industries is in decline, jeopardizing our status as the world's innovation leader. And one reason is that the United States has been unable to produce enough of its own workers with sufficient skills in science,…

Issues to be considered in evaluating a program for the musically gifted are presented as a series of questions evaluators and teachers in the field should ask. The following are considered: (1) student characteristics; (2) participant evaluation; (3) curriculum development; (4) teacher characteristics; and (5) outcomes. (SLD)

Is the United States getting it wrong when it comes to educating tomorrow's innovators in critical fields? It has been known for years that the only way to compete globally in information technology, engineering, nanotechnology, robotics and other fields is to give students the best educational opportunities possible. But do individuals have a…

The Schoolwide Enrichment Model is a blueprint for total school improvement that stresses flexibility and creativity and promotes challenging, enjoyable learning across all school types, levels, and demographic differences. The model combines organizational resources with three service-delivery components: the total-talent portfolio,…

This paper, commissioned for the development of the national report, "National Excellence: A Case for Developing America's Talent," examines current state policies, regulations, and legislation concerning education programs for gifted and talented students. The paper also looks at other state policies which have a direct influence on the…

Reviews national curriculum reform efforts in mathematics and science education and the human resources development programs of the National Science Foundation (NSF). Identifies institutions that have had extraordinary success in teaching mathematics and science and describes model science literacy courses. Presents a new approach to teaching…

The report presents evaluation findings of a gifted and talented program serving elementary-secondary students in Des Moines, Iowa. A four-part evaluation design was implemented: structural interviews with students and staff; written reaction forms completed by students, staff, and parents; descriptive evaluation of a "culminating activity"…

The evaluation report by Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (Columbus, Indiana) describes findings concerning what works and what does not work in the Academic Challenge Program, a gifted and talented education program at the elementary and middle school levels. A corollary purpose of the report is to share the evaluation plan itself,…

This evaluation report describes the Bilingual Education Talented Academy--Gifted and Talented Project (Project BETA) in its first year of a 3-year Elementary and Secondary Education Act Title VII funding cycle. The project served 307 students of limited English proficiency in two Bronx (New York) high schools. The predominant native languages…

Seven chapters focus in giftedness in education and the role of creativity. A second major issue is the recognition that not all groups are equally well served by provisions for the gifted. The emphasis is on intellectual giftedness, reflecting the focus of most school systems. (SLD)

This final evaluation report describes third-year activities of Project GO-FOR-IT (Great Opportunities for Optional Resources to Improve the Talents of Gifted Bilingual High School Students) which provided supplemental instruction in English as a Second Language, content area instruction, and native language arts instruction to 271 gifted and…

Project BETA (Bilingual Education Talented Academy--Gifted and Talented) is a federally funded project serving gifted and talented limited-English-proficient students at two high schools in the Bronx, New York. The project focused in particular on Spanish-speaking students but also served students of at least 11 other language groups. Students…

Department chairs are in a position to help shape a culture where student learning is the central focus of faculty, staff, and students (Gmelch & Schuh, 2004). They hire, socialize, and evaluate faculty members' performance, guide curriculum development, and maintain the quality of academic programs. At the same time, department chairs typically…