The author identifies six myths that pervade educational thinking about advanced learning and constrain educational opportunities for gifted students. These myths relate to higher-level thinking, differentiated learning outcomes, accelerated work, limitations on other students, standards, and students from low-income backgrounds. The author…

This article explores the history of gifted education policy and practice in the United States over the last five decades, documenting the lack of sustained progress in obtaining sustained federal support. It also highlights two case examples, one at the state level and a second at the national level of where a policy in a specific aspect of…

The need for language programs in schools is strong among gifted students, who need the depth and complexity provided by a world language program. Gifted students can benefit from exposure to global cultures, a deepened emphasis on conceptual learning, and an appreciation of issues that shape today's world. Second language learning carries high…

"A Teacher's Guide to Using the Common Core State Standards With Gifted and Advanced Learners in the English/Language Arts" provides teachers and administrators a blueprint for differentiating the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts for gifted and advanced students through the use of acceleration, depth, complexity, and…

This critique of talent searches, programs which identify highly gifted secondary students through scores on Scholastic Assessment Tests at the junior-high level and provide accelerated courses, discusses issues of exclusivity, of acceleration, of values in education, and of congruence with national agendas. The future of these projects is also…

University talent-search projects provide a viable model for schools' talent-development efforts. There are three critical elements: a flexible age-grade placement philosophy, a commitment to use tests to improve curriculum and instruction, and a strong support structure for teachers and administrators. Students must also develop appropriate…

While the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (2000) reported that only 1.3% of high school students currently take Latin, the College Board, which administers the Advanced Placement program, reported a 95% increase since 1993 in students taking the Latin exam for college credit. States like Virginia, for example, offer Latin for…

This article focuses on the importance of acceleration and grouping for gifted students in the context of school reform and recommends a set of decision-making guidelines for each issue including flexibility in entrance and exit requirements for courses, opportunities for telescoping and grade skipping, various forms of grouping, and independent…

Joe Renzulli asserts that pull-out programs for gifted elementary school children that reflect horizontal enrichment and vertical acceleration can provide flexibility and enable radical departures from the regular curriculum. Joyce VanTassel-Baska counters that current pull-out programs are inadequately planned, provide insufficient time, are…

This text offers a comprehensive introduction to major topics and issues in gifted and talented education. The 28 chapters are grouped into four sections on the general nature of giftedness, program development, organization of curriculum and instruction, and excellence in education of these students. Chapters include the following titles and…