Grade advancement is a legitimate and valuable method of meeting the needs of some academically gifted students and is available to every school system. Twelve practical guidelines (such as comprehensive psychological evaluation prior to placement and arranging all cases of grade advancement initially on a trial basis) are offered. (Author/DB)

This article discusses how schools can best meet the needs of precocious children by giving them access to higher level and more challenging instructional materials. Findings from a study of 40 precocious third and fourth graders are described and the benefits of acceleration are highlighted, particularly grade advancement and advanced placement…

This article looks at decision factors in early admission or grade advancement for young gifted children. Specific criteria are offered for determining the appropriateness of both early admission and grade advancement. Special training for teachers and parents of gifted children is encouraged. (DB)

The research on identifying and educating gifted youth supports the use of multiple identification measures, accelerated instruction, and ability grouping. (Author/TE)

The reprinted 1978 article with a 1988 update advocates a combination of enrichment and acceleration to meet the needs of gifted youth. It presents a three-stage enrichment model to develop: (1) divergent and convergent thinking abilities; (2) creative thinking and problem solving strategies; and (3) independent learning abilities. (VW)

This reprint of an article on using grade advancement as a method for meeting the needs of some intellectually or academically gifted students is preceded by a commentary that concludes that popular sentiment and negative folklore supporting grade advancement are unfounded. Grade advancement guidelines are provided. (Contains references.) (CR)

It is clear that highly talented, precocious youth who are motivated to develop their talents need teachers, curriculum, and peers who are able to operate educationally at advanced levels. They should be provided the educational challenge needed to sustain and encourage development of their talents to the highest levels of creative achievement or…

This study compared the achievement of biology, physics, and chemistry students in Higher Level (HL) International Baccalaureate (IB) programs with achievement of students in Subsidiary Level (SL) IB programs and regular Alberta (Canada) programs (n=708 students). Students in IB out-performed students in regular programs. Within IB, HL and SL…

Principles of providing appropriate instruction for precocious youth include diagnostic/prescriptive assessment of students' current levels of achievement and readiness for new material; arrangement of instructional conditions so students are working with appropriate curriculum and materials; and provision of classroom learning experiences at the…