This study examined the psychological well-being of students enrolled in two gifted programs with different service delivery models. Participants were 292 fifth- and sixth-grade students (M[subscript age] = 11.70, SD[subscript age] = 0.65) enrolled in a gifted math pull-out program (n = 103), a self-contained gifted program (n = 90), or a program…

Gifted programs should not be developed only to compensate for inadequate regular classrooms. Instead, the principles of gifted education should be applied to the total environment, with enrichment activities for gifted students requiring intensity of effort in specialized areas. (CL)

Fifty-five gifted fifth and sixth graders in segregated or integrated classes completed the Piers-Harris Self Concept Test and a measure of peer relationship. Comparison with scores of 55 gifted children who had not been identified or placed revealed no significant differences among social distance or self-concept scores. (CL)

Followup and tie in between regular classrooms and gifted programs are essential for quality programing. "Ownership" of the program by the entire school community, including counselors, librarians, and administrators, is also important. (CL)

This study investigated student perceptions of differences in academic and social effects that occur when gifted and talented youth are grouped homogeneously (i.e., in special classes for gifted students) as contrasted with heterogeneously (i.e., in classes with many ability levels represented). Forty-four students in grades 5-11 completed…

A local program survey of 95 directors of gifted education examined elements of programing related to the modification of the learning environment, including instructional time, teacher-pupil ratio, additional personnel requirements, and estimates of the excess program costs. Three common models were considered: the special class, teacher…

No main effects of special class placement were observed in 43 gifted students (grades six through eight) compared to 38 gifted students in regular classes in terms of cognitive processes, quality of school life, intellectual achievement, self concept, and activity. (CL)

This study used the Harter Self Perception Profile for Adolescents and an interview technique to study the self- concept of 25 gifted adolescents during the transition year in a congregated (grouped) classroom for high ability students in secondary school. Test results indicated improved self- concepts, and interviews indicated the students…

A case study investigated the effectiveness of a new self-contained classroom with curriculum that was differentiated for 24 highly intellectually gifted fourth-and fifth-grade students. Results indicate the self-contained classroom provided a challenging learning environment for the students, but students' response to this more challenging…

The value of the social context present in some specialized education environments to promote the optimal development of children who are gifted and talented is discussed. Issues and variables that might be considered when conducting research on social context in specialized environments are also considered. (SW)

An elementary-school self-contained gifted class was compared to a control group on a general test of cognitive ability. Program participants exhibited significantly higher gains than did controls, and at the end of the program, participants also rated the quality of their school life more highly than did controls. (Author/JDD)