Eddie Reisch is currently working as a policy advisor for Te Reo Maori Operational Policy within the Student Achievement group with the Ministry of Education in New Zealand, where he has implemented and led a range of e-learning initiatives and developments, particularly the Virtual Learning Network (VLN). He is regarded as one of the leading…

Characteristics of gifted programs that stick out like a "sore thumb" include vulnerability to charges of elitism, the notion that gifted students are better students, a lack of teacher support, and a high degree of rigidity. (CL)

Planning is of prime importance in providing programs for gifted and talented students. Districts should emphasize an awareness campaign on the premises and needs of gifted education. An individual should then be appointed and trained as the district specialist in gifted and talented education. (CL)

This paper, in discussing the implementation of middle schools, makes six recommendations: (1) the program should reflect the needs of individual students; (2) the curriculum and schedules should accommodate an appropriate amount of independent study time paralleling the maturity of the individual; (3) the program should incorporate a non-graded…

Pennsylvania's attempt to implement competency-based education in the public schools is a well-meaning but misguided effort to improve the schools. It will succeed only in diverting vast amounts of time, energy, and intelligence away from more important and more attainable goals. (Author/IRT)

The author satirizes the status of teacher education in gifted education, cites the conceptual weakness of arguments justifying support for gifted programs, and considers the need to train teachers to provide enriched programs for all students and to focus on the academic content areas. (CL)

Characterizes development education in Canadian schools, briefly indicating agencies supporting such work and describing emerging trends in activities being conducted in Canadian provinces and territories. (RH)

Suggests initial considerations in developing programs for gifted and talented students: identification, program format, community involvement, and curriculum. (SJL)

Last year Marian Leibowitz presented workshops in 27 states on improving instruction for gifted and talented students. In this interview she gives an overview of what she has seen in programs around the country. (Author/MLF)

Outlines a five-stage model, based upon Adlerian psychology, designed to facilitate students' social-emotional development. Offers general suggestions for activities and affective education materials useful in implementing this model. Categorizes several popular affective education programs in relation to the five stages. (CRR)

Highlights the roles and responsibilities that leaders must assume in administrating and guiding a character education program in a school or school district. Discusses some leadership strategies and concludes that without a strong leader, a character education program will fade away. (Author/JDM)

Development of programs for the gifted requires planning (at the school and classroom levels) based on a conception of gifted education and consideration of goals, content, differentiation strategies, and organizational form. Program operation involves subprocesses of program adoption, program delivery, and program institutionalization. (DB)

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…

Saturday enrichment programs are viable options for gifted children who are not served in the public schools. Because such programs are not dependent on schools or state departments for funding, or for initiation, Saturday programs can be successfully operated by parent and other advocacy groups. Guidelines for considering such programs focus on…