The purposes of this study were to (a) examine the presence and prevalence of the big-fish-little-pond effect (BFLPE) in summer programs for the gifted, (b) identify group and individual difference variables that help predict those who are more susceptible to the BFLPE, and (c) put the possible BFLPE on academic self-concept in a larger context of…

Parents (N-117) of participants in a gifted summer program were overwhelmingly positive regarding the program's academic and nonacademic environment, while 80 percent of school personnel indicated that special academic and/or counseling provisions were provided as a result of student evaluation data. A model depicting benefits from the experience…

Significant gain in leadership areas (fundamentals, written communication, speech communication, values clarification, decision making, group dynamics, problem solving, personal development, and planning) by average to superior sixth- through eleventh-grade participants (N=110) indicated that the summer Leadership Studies Program is an effective…

Evaluation of practices at a residential summer program for gifted and talented adolescents (Tennessee Governor's Schools) involved analysis of questionnaire data from 2,213 students and school directors. Relationships were found between students' ratings of program effectiveness and directors' changes in program practices. An expanded timeline…

A study investigated the long-term impact of acceleration on academically talented youth. Twenty-three females and 20 males completed questionnaires about the California State University at Sacramento (CSUS) Academic Talent Search Program they had attended 4 years previously as junior high students. Students reported on the experiences, academic…

The self-concepts of 508 gifted students in grades 5-10 who participated in 3 summer residential programs were examined. Self-concept scores across all grade levels and programs were significantly higher at the end of the programs, compared to the beginning. In one program the scores of sixth-grade boys declined somewhat. (Author/JDD)

Twelve students (ages 13-18) who attended a Purdue University (Indiana) summer residential program for gifted students for at least 3 years were interviewed, along with their parents, concerning their views on the programs. Students appreciated the challenging coursework, teacher quality, living on a university campus, making friends, and gaining…

A survey of 44 secondary level students who attended a summer camp for gifted/talented youth analyzed reasons that campers did not enroll in certain course offerings, ideas for future course offerings, occupational areas of interest, the extent of racism in the schools, and the amount of drug use in the schools. (JDD)

This report presents information about the effectiveness of the District of Columbia's Gifted and Talented Education Program. Primary objectives included: information dissemination about the program within the school system and the community; continued above average academic performance and creativity of participating students and their…

This study followed up teachers two years after they had attended a summer institute on gifted education to identify changes teachers made in their classrooms. It identified factors that either supported (student success, personal challenge, and increasing self confidence) or impeded (feelings of isolation, school bureaucracy, large class size,…

Thirty-four gifted students from economically disadvantaged high schools who attended a college/career counseling program were compared to 16 gifted economically advantaged students who attended a private university summer program. Groups were similar in their motivation to attend college and career readiness. At three-year follow-up, more…

This evaluation study examined the implementation of the Marine Science Young Scholars Program, which provided 32 gifted deaf and hearing-impaired adolescents with a 4-week summer enrichment program in 1988 and 1989. The instructional program: used a cognitively based curriculum; included labs, lectures, and field experiences; promoted one-to-one…

This report describes a 3-week, six-credit, graduate-level summer course on teaching gifted and talented students, which was designed to change beliefs about giftedness and improve practice. Interviews with the 50 course participants (teachers, administrators, and resource persons) were conducted after course completion to determine their views…