"The Mentor Network" is a program designed for self-selected, gifted college students. In the program, highly motivated students are matched with mentors in their fields of interest and meet weekly to share ideas and experiences. Vignettes describe the successful results of three mentor-student partnerships. (JDD)

South Carolina's requirement that school districts identify and serve artistically gifted/talented students in grades 3-12 has led the State Department of Education to develop support activities, as establishing curriculum guidelines, showcasing successful programs, and creating leadership roles for the South Carolina Arts Commission and the…

Similarities and differences are explored in programs and provisions for academically able students in the United States, Japan, and West Germany. Discussed are social attitudes toward gifted education (especially the belief that special provisions for an "elite" group are undemocratic) and the use of various teaching methods as…

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)

Carnegie Mellon University's two-week summer enrichment program for mathematically gifted students in grades three through six is described, with attention to eligibility and student identification, a problem-solving emphasis, a typical day, staffing, instructional materials, and questioning techniques. The two enrichment courses involved…

A small-town school corporation developed self-contained, full-time gifted classes for its elementary school students. This article describes program administration, acceleration and enrichment activities, staffing, and efforts to expand the benefits of the program to others. (JDD)

This interview with the executive director of the National Association for Gifted Children documents responses to questions about gifted program advocacy, including opposition to differentiated education for gifted students, effective lobbying techniques, and relationships with legislators and the business community. (DB)

The REDSIL model for ongoing evaluation of gifted education programs involves interviewing stakeholders, isolating and categorizing critical study issues, designing a data collection plan that uses several forms of qualitative methods, implementing the plan, analyzing data, searching literature relative to each issue, analyzing data again, and…

The Mentorship Academy Program of Blue Valley Schools (Kansas) uses a schoolwide enrichment model emphasizing the need to provide high ability students with opportunities to work with professionals on meaningful projects related to their interests. This paper discusses mentor and student selection, role of the mentor, evaluation and monitoring of…

This article identifies problems commonly attributed to acceleration for gifted students. Specific student concerns (such as friendships) and administrative concerns (such as difficulties in awarding course credits) are addressed. Five suggestions are made to help districts plan for providing accelerative options. (DB)

This article examines issues of student and program evaluation in determining the appropriateness of acceleration of gifted students. Intellective and nonintellective factors in identifying students for acceleration are discussed as are factors in monitoring student success. Specific program evaluation questions and design issues are also…

Career development programs for gifted and talented students must address the issues of multipotentiality, expectations, lifestyle, financial and time investment, mobility, and innovativeness. Seven essential components of career development include content acceleration, self-awareness, self-concept, interpersonal effectiveness, creative problem…

This interview with Carolyn Callahan, an expert in gifted education, examines the process of program evaluation and other topics. It discusses how often evaluations should be done, differences between evaluating a relatively new program and a well-established program, inappropriate evaluation practices, program features parents should look for,…

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…

The Texas Governor's Honors Program recognizes outstanding high potential and achievement in gifted high school juniors, and provides in-depth instruction in interdisciplinary content areas with an emphasis on leadership in a multicultural society. This article describes program goals, student selection, curriculum, and program impact. (JDD)