In the quest for solutions to make school as rigorous and relevant as possible, one particularly vibrant source of information is often omitted: the opinions of our students. Yet, by posing specific questions about curriculum, classroom climate, and teacher competencies and attitudes, a rich database of usable suggestions emerges. The author of…

A "flash mob" is defined by Wikipedia as "a large group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual and pointless act for a brief time, then disperse." Fueled by social media and Smartphones, flash mobs have been used, primarily, as entertaining diversions by addicted techies with (apparently) tons of time on their hands.…

The BIASED (Basic Information, Introspection, Adaptation, Selection and Direction) "Model of Career Education and Guidance" for gifted adolescents is explained and sample activities for providing career assistance are provided. Four specific problem areas--multipotential, expectation, "societal payback," and career investments--are explained in…

According to our government, the latest recession is finally over. Still, it seems to me that lots of states are wrangling with diminished budgets for schools in general and gifted programs in particular. So, if we are to maintain our own livelihoods and our field's existence, we're going to have to become innovative in our approaches to…

An overview of 10 research studies on counseling gifted students is presented, and implications for the future are considered, including the need to find ways to enhance self-concept, academic, and emotional growth; to identify teachers of the gifted; and to advise students regarding career development. (CL)

Gifted adolescents, often perceived by others as being immune from problems of depression and emotional upheaval because of their high intelligence, have shown increases in suicidal behaviors. On the basis of current research, contends that gifted young people are especially susceptible to suicide attempts. Suggests intervention strategies to…

Discriminant function analyses with 1,121 traditionally selected and expanded criteria gifted students (grades 1 through 8) using the Revolving Door Identification and Placement Model revealed that the most discriminating variable of group membership was class rank. For Ss in grades 1 through 3 or 4 through 6 academic self-concept was the second…

A teacher recounts his work with an unmotivated sixth-grader who did not work up to his potential. Admission to an academically talented program not only provided him with opportunities to explore beyond the basics presented in his regular classroom, but also helped him to improve performance overall. (CB)

Vocatonal guidance for gifted students must consider the students' multipotentialities, problems with expectations, investments needed for the profession, and the role of conformity. Career awareness should begin in elementary years. The secondary vocational program should include many options, including work study programs and preventive…

The Revolving Door Identification Model (RDIM), a resource room program which assumes that giftedness is both topical and temporal in nature, offers a systematic approach to identification of and programing for gifted students. (Author/SB)

The position paper examines such differential career guidance concerns for gifted youth as multipotential, societal expectations, "societal payback," and career investments. Recommendations are offered for educational support during the stages of a career development program. (DB)

Prevention of behavior problems among gifted students is considered in terms of typical behavior problems of the gifted, teacher behavior and classroom climate, and the importance of affective education. Teacher behaviors which structure the classroom for success are listed as are characteristics which encourage underachievement. (DB)

Educators (n=338) involved with gifted child education were surveyed concerning their professional background, their perceptions of strengths and weaknesses of gifted education, and suggestions for improving services. Problems mentioned most frequently included attitudes of society and school personnel toward gifted education and lack of…

This paper calls for reconsideration of gifted education practices to expand acceptable definitions of "success" and allow students additional avenues to demonstrate their abilities. Suggestions for cultivating emotional talents in students including self-reflection, philosophy and its applications, and global perspectives on current events are…

This retrospective look at 14 years of working with gifted adolescents elaborates on 4 prominent and prevalent issues: those who are often socially isolated from their peers; fear for their future and the world's future at a higher level than would be expected for their age; get bored in typical academic settings; and seek "existential relief"…