The article presents current information on the definitions states use to determine giftedness, updating a 1977 survey. Charts present components of the definitions, areas of giftedness, and other areas included in the definitions. (Author/CL)

This article discusses the need for competitions and contests in schools to develop and enhance talents in academics, fine and performing arts, leadership, and service learning. An academic contest school assessment checklist is included. Information on several national contests for children and youth is presented. (CR)

Thirteen states' certification requirements for teachers of the gifted are described and two models advocated by the National Association for Gifted Children and The Association for the Gifted (for certification of teachers of the gifted and teachers of the fine and performing arts) are described (CL)

Eight states maintain Governors' Honors Programs for gifted and talented students. Programs in Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia are briefly described in terms of content, location, and selection processes. The programs are seen as an important way to augment programing for gifted…

Summarizes recent developments with reference to gifted education in the nation, outlines some of the current concerns in the field, and concludes with some implications for career education for the gifted and talented. (Author)

This article describes competitions across a range of curricular areas that develop students' problem solving skills by setting authentic, real-world tasks. As individuals or members of a team, students in these competitions are challenged with finding solutions to problems faced not only in today's scientific and technological world, but also in…

Describes responses of 35 state gifted education consultants and 76 teachers of gifted students in rural areas to survey of rural gifted programming. Finds many needs for gifted programming involving cooperative efforts, adequate funding, use of community resources, more consistent/appropriate identification methods, teacher influence, and role…

Intellectually gifted students (N=199) and students in the fine and performing arts (N=176) completed the High School Personality Questionnaire. Results indicated that gifted students obtained higher leadership potential scores, while talented students scored higher in creativity. Several significant differences were found in personality profiles…

This digest is intended to help parents and educators assist with the development of leadership attitudes and skills in gifted youth. The relative lack of interest in leadership despite its designation as a talent area in definitions of giftedness for state and federal policies requiring differentiated programs is listed. Characteristics of gifted…

Leadership has been characterized by particular personal qualities and traits, specifically one?s ability to influence others? thoughts, energies, emotions, feelings, or behaviors within the scope of emergent leadership (Farrall & Kronberg, 1996). Based on self organization patterns of groups, a leader emerges while other group members move into…

This article presents a brief history of the transition of the federal definition for students who are gifted and talented, as well as a description of other definitions that have affected state definitions. A review of state definitions in 1990 and 1998 indicates that 29 states have modified their definition. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

A decision of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court set a binding precedent which classifies gifted and talented students as exceptional children and requires that resources already in place within school districts be made available to develop individualized education programs for gifted students. (JDD)

Presents observations and suggestions for persons attempting to help talented and gifted youth develop their full potential. Journal articles and books containing useful information for parents and teachers concerning gifted education are presented in Appendix A. Appendix B lists information sources, national organizations, and names and addresses…

In "Centennial School District v. Commonwealth" the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that the school district only had to provide individualized instruction to the gifted student within the district's present curriculum. The decision can be cited as persuasive authority in the 25 states that have mandatory gifted education statutes. (MLF)

The media calls them the wizards of tomorrow, the fix-it-kids, athletes of the mind, star players, and champs. These are the young people who compete and win academic, artistic, leadership, and service related competitions. Competitors spell words as difficult as autochthonous, make new scientific discoveries, compose poetry, publish their short…