The second edition of "Supporting Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Recreation" is expanded to provide the most up-to-date, practical approaches for professionals, as well as families, to support the increasing number of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) of all ages and levels who will be participating in every…

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,…

The authors conduct open-ended surveys of 530 students and teachers in three publicly funded schools with different approaches to providing a high-ability "school-within-a-school:" a gifted program, an international baccalaureate program, and a high-ability program with a science focus. Overall, the authors find that teachers and students in all…

Describes a program promoting academic achievement through quiz competitions between schools in Virginia. Includes descriptions of other programs promoting academic achievement. (MD)

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…

The article describes the Saturday Workshop program run by the Gifted Child Society in New Jersey, which offers gifted and talented students 50 different classes that are not available from the public schools. (DLS)

Blue Jeans Baseball, for eight- to twelve-year old children, is based on the concept that everyone plays. No coaches are allowed; everyone bats once per inning; defensive players rotate positions. These and other rules reduce the emphasis on competition and increase the emphasis on skill development. (MJB)

Explains the important role administrators have in providing opportunities for blind and partially sighted students. (JM)

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)

A special education professor who has written curricula for gifted/talented students and developed programs for underserved students answers questions concerning identification of students, including handicapped students, for gifted programs; the purpose of differentiated curricula for gifted/talented students; types of curriculum modifications;…

Describes the work of the South Dakota Very Special Arts Festivals project to select creative media production activities and modify them to meet the needs of the mentally retarded or multiply handicapped festival participants. (CMV)

A rationale is offered for the implementation of full-time programing for gifted students, arguing that scheduling less time does not maximize their potential. Florida programs for the gifted are noted, and suggestions are offered for school district officials who wish to implement similar full-time gifted programs. (JDD)

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…