The tiny, multicultural nation of Singapore has a long history of provisions for gifted students. Beliefs about ability and talent development are strongly influenced by traditional Confucian perspectives that view environmental factors as dominant in the development of talent. Early identification is not stressed and working hard is emphasized at…

This essay critically examines the features and assumptions of needs-based claims to justify special services for the gifted and argues that they rest on unstated theories and unavowed moral values, define a paternalistic relationship between teachers and gifted students, and suggest that gifted students deserve things that other students do not.…