This "ERIC Digest" discusses the components of an effective educational program for students who are gifted. The paper defines the term "program" and distinguishes between programs and provisions. Eight major components of an effective program are noted: needs assessment, definition of population, identification procedures,…

Discussed is the development of defensible programs for gifted and talented students. (DLS)

Drawing on their own experiences, the authors suggest starting a program for gifted children by developing community support, choosing an appropriate type of program, assessing staff perceptions of the need for the program, identifying gifted students, developing a curriculum, involving the faculty, securing funding, and choosing the evaluation…

Discussed is the issue of how many different kinds of talents or gifts special programs will consider in both selection and educational aspects, focusing on how many different kinds of gifts and talents can be dealt with simultaneously and how much complexity can be tolerated. (DLS)

THE PURPOSE IS TO ASSIST ADMINISTRATORS IN UNDERSTANDING, ORGANIZING, AND OPERATING A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM FOR BRIGHT AND GIFTED STUDENTS. ASPECTS INCLUDE IDENTIFICATION OF STUDENTS WHO NEED SPECIAL ATTENTION, COUNSELING AND GUIDANCE, SELECTION AND TRAINING OF TEACHERS FOR GIFTED PROGRAMS, GROUPING IN ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS, NONGRADED…

Chicago (Illinois) Public Schools serves its gifted students through full-time, pull-out, and off-campus programs. This paper describes early programs made possible through state aid; the population's current ethnic mix; types of full-time programs (regional magnet centers, academic centers, and the international baccalaureate program); and plans…

One Louisiana school system's development of a program to provide a differentiated curriculum for gifted preschoolers is described. The article focuses on student identification and placement; program structure; types of activities (games tables, free choice centers, individualized and whole group instruction); behavior management and motivation;…

A high school teacher describes efforts to develop a comprehensive gifted education program while recognizing political realities. The program emphasized use of before-school and after-school periods rather than pull-out, addressed the burdens rather than blessings of high capability, focused on the underachieving gifted, and tried to avoid…

Part of a 10 booklet series on talented and gifted education, the booklet presents information for parents about educational programs for talented and gifted children. An historical view of talented and gifted education is presented, along with a definition of gifted and talented students. Characteristics of giftedness are outlined for the…

This article discusses the importance of conducting an initial needs assessment as part of gifted program development. The paper describes data collection concerning the general student body, gifted population, school district personnel, school and school district, physical setting, economic factors, community, and national and state gifted…

This paper examines cognitive capacities and dispositional characteristics that contribute to creative problem solving, including relationship generation skills, expertise, adaptability, and wisdom. The paper argues that programs for gifted and talented students should develop the beliefs, values, and motives that will encourage students to apply…

Eleven suggestions are provided for implementation of the Schoolwide Enrichment Model to meet students' needs for enriched learning opportunities. Suggestions include respect the individual interests and styles of faculty; don't waste time trying to convince everyone; and be careful not to take credit for what others do. (JDD)

The paper explores issues related to the provision of year-round schooling for gifted learners. Noted are individual differences among gifted learners, the trend toward providing differentiated curriculum in all content areas, and the importance of curriculum articulation. Reasons are offered to explain why many of the best gifted programs operate…

U.S. program model designs used for children who are gifted were analyzed for their potential applications for rural schools of developing countries such as South Africa. Program trends and practices are identified from analysis of 100 descriptive and experimental studies of the last 10 years. A bibliography of the studies is included. (SW)

Despite problems encountered by the characteristics of rural education districts, successful and appropriate programs to teach gifted students can thrive by utilization of nontraditional techniques for student identification and by delivery of services through acceleration, technology, advanced placement classes, mentors, community resources, and…