This article introduces a series of articles on the governor's school model, described as a nontraditional program blending cultural, academic, social, and recreational components into a rich and natural learning environment for gifted students. The article also briefly describes the Mississippi Governor's School and outlines the purposes of the…

This introduction to a special section of articles on talent development in gifted education presents the Purdue Pyramid, a model of talent development with acceptance as a human being on the base, a variety of educational experiences ascending the pyramid, and self-understanding and commitment to self-development at the top. (DB)

This article considers how the Schoolwide Enrichment Model, originally developed for gifted and talented students, can be applied as part of a comprehensive plan for total school improvement. Modifications to existing curriculum content and skill development are suggested to help all students realize their full potential. (Author/DB)

This article applies the concept of mediation to pupils who are or may be gifted as well as to motivational and psychological functions. It uses Feuerstein's theory of Mediated Learning Experience to analyze Renzulli's Enrichment Model for the gifted including underachieving and disabled gifted students and concludes that correct mediation…

This article challenges the assumption that a continuum of learning opportunities appropriate for exceptional persons is possible when the concept of normal distribution is used. It proposes an alternate model, a bull's eye, to accommodate the open-ended potential of the gifted population. (Author/DB)

After a discussion of the creativity often found in those outside the mainstream, this article describes the five stages of the Laureate learning cycle model of talent development: romance, inquiry, involvement, expansion, and insight. The importance of individual ownership of the learning process is emphasized. (DB)

This paper establishes a conceptual framework for assessing problem-solving abilities of gifted secondary students. Assessment procedures based on a continuum of problem types are described. Issues discussed include multiple types of intelligence, the use of multiple measures, sensitivity to individual differences, and assessment for the student's…

This retrospective study evaluated an elementary pull-out program based on the Purdue Three-Stage Model. Perceptions of students and families when the students were seniors in high school indicated the program was seen as having a long-term positive impact on the cognitive, affective, and social development of most participating students.…

This article on the integral nature of guidance and counseling among services provided to gifted students focuses on: curriculum modification to promote self-realization; use of parent education programs and group counseling; and discussion of gifted females, culturally diverse gifted children, and gifted children with disabilities. (Author/JDD)

This article describes a teaching model, Process-Based Instruction (PBI), that is applicable to mainstream classrooms containing students with diverse abilities. PBI enables teachers to individualize instruction by involving all students in the development of plans for curriculum and learning activities. With PBI, gifted students work at their own…

This paper presents a case study of Aaron, a 9-year-old Australian gifted student who has exhibited an outstanding interest and knowledge in science and mathematics, while at the same time displaying unusual behavioral and learning characteristics typified by inconsistent performance of many routine tasks. Aaron attends a moderately sized…

This chapter examines the rationale for and means of achieving effective collaboration in planning and delivering services to gifted and talented students. First, the historical and philosophical background of current emphases on increased collaboration are reviewed. The necessity of collaboration with general education professionals is stressed…

This paper proposes a five-step model intended to meet the needs of gifted students in the context of the mixed ability reality that most teachers in regular classrooms encounter. The model consists of five steps each of which has several components. The steps and components are: (1) acceptance (initiatives must start out small and sound to be…