This article discusses concepts related to character strengths and positive youth development and how these ideas can be applied to improve outcomes among gifted young people. A theory with roots in public health, The Theory of Triadic Influence (TTI), is discussed with examples applied to gifted populations. Practitioners and researchers from…

Models of giftedness in the 21st century tend to describe talent as a social construct. Research now indicates that certain talented populations that are composed of multiple exceptional individuals are excluded from talent development programmes. Recognizing how well the environment best fits individual needs at particular key developmental…

The ultimate goal of gifted education programs is to cultivate students' competences through challenging, enriching, and engaging opportunities for talent development. The purpose of this review is to present two main approaches of enrichment programs for gifted learners in Taiwan: the programs following the law and the alternative programs…

The development and implementation of regular Spring, Summer, and Winter Gifted Enrichment Programs, Gifted Students Exchange Programs, and the Gifted Peer Mentoring Scheme provided by the Program for the Gifted and Talented (PGT) at the Chinese University of Hong Kong for gifted and talented students are briefly described. PGT also conducts…

In 2006 a novel approach to talent support was promoted by several talent support programmes in Hungary. The new idea was a network approach. The nationwide network of so-called TalentPoints and its framework, the Hungarian Genius Program, gained substantial European Union funding in 2009, and today it is growing rapidly. A novel concept of talent…

A program in Essex, United Kingdom, for gifted elementary students encountered early problems from the term "gifted" and from the identification procedure concentrating on high IQ criteria. Inservice courses were instituted and selection methods broadened. (CL)

The paper advocates curriculum extension programmes which emanate from the immediate and specific needs and interests of pupils. Meeting the needs of exceptionally able pupils is seen as an aspect of providing opportunities for all pupils to develop this potential, and the extension programme is set within the existing resources (both human and…

A writing instructor describes the history and organization of writing workshops for gifted students. The courses feature close work between professional writers and students, the development of a student anthology, and the establishment of creative writing awards. (CL)

The Primary Extension and Challenge Programme was developed to serve 10- to 12-year-old gifted and talented children in the state of Western Australia. This article reviews the program's historical perspective, teacher responsibilities, student identification and selection procedures, course development, teaching strategies, student projects, and…

A summary of the educational development in the United Kingdom in the 20th century cites the growing concern for students with exceptional needs despite reluctance to use the term gifted. Government publications and their implications for gifted education are reviewed and proposals for the future are offered. (CL)

This paper traces the history of gifted and talented education programs in Taiwan and describes their current goals; factors influencing their development; recently established programs; support systems in the areas of program design, teacher training, resources, and research; and identification procedures. (Author/JDD)

This paper describes programs, research, and competitions being carried out in the field of gifted and talented education in the People's Republic of China. The need to make these programs available to more students is stressed, along with other suggestions on expanding work in gifted education. (JDD)

This article describes the establishment of a mentor program in New South Wales (Australia) as one initiative in the education of gifted and talented children. The program focuses on linking motivated students with mentors through development of a mentor database, interviews with student applicants, on-going monitoring, and program evaluation and…

A review of international developments in gifted education describes programs and trends in the U.S., Canada, Eastern and Western Australia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. Included are descriptions of extracurricula centers in South Africa and increased use of independent study and mentors in the U.S. (CL)

The Schmerenbeck Multi-Racial Educational Centre (South Africa) implemented "Integrated Arts Workshops" to develop the creative thinking of gifted/talented children. Professional artists and teachers are brought together with groups of children, and ideas are explored through sensory stimulation, creative problem-solving, and reflection.…