Academic acceleration of intellectually precocious youth is believed to harm overall psychological well-being even though short-term studies do not support this belief. Here we examine the long-term effects. Study 1 involves three cohorts identified before age 13, then longitudinally tracked for over 35 years: Cohort 1 gifted (top 1% in ability,…

Over the past 50 years, eight robust generalizations about intellectual precocity have emerged, been empirically documented, and replicated through longitudinal research. Within the top 1% of general and specific abilities (mathematical, spatial, and verbal) over one third of the range of individual differences are to be found, and they are…

Using data from a 40-year longitudinal study, the authors examined 3 related hypotheses about the effects of grade skipping on future educational and occupational outcomes in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). From a combined sample of 3,467 mathematically precocious students (top 1%), a combination of exact and propensity…

Individuals possess attributes making them differently suited for excelling in particular areas. The challenge is to maintain an appropriate balance between broad educational experiences and differential expectations, responding to students' relative strengths and weaknesses. (SK)

To offset low challenge in high school courses, the Study of Mathematically Precocious Youth encourages intellectually talented students to choose from seven alternative acceleration options. Also offered are four reasons for taking college credit courses in high school. (MC)

Students, it is argued, who have used combinations of entering college early and forging ahead fast in the curriculum have led or are leading highly effective lives. Parents and educators should have less fear when attempting to accelerate a child. (MLW)

The review of the first 10 years of The Study of Mathematically Precocious Youth, which began in 1971, describes the program's origins in the identification and educational facilitation of specific students by individual staff members. Also described and evaluated are the fast paced precalculus, college level calculus, other mathematics classes,…