This introduction to a special section of articles on talent development in gifted education presents the Purdue Pyramid, a model of talent development with acceptance as a human being on the base, a variety of educational experiences ascending the pyramid, and self-understanding and commitment to self-development at the top. (DB)

This book provides information on 80 international, national, and regional academic competitions available to gifted students. An overview of characteristics of good competitions and ways to evaluate them is given. Competition and its impact on gifted and talented students are evaluated, and criteria are given for selecting and implementing…

Talent searches are discussed in this journal theme issue, with two feature articles and several recurring columns. "Talent Search: A Driving Force in Gifted Education," by Paula Olszewski-Kubilius, defines what a talent search is, how the Talent Search was developed by Dr. Julian Stanley at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland, the…

The Lawrence Township (Indianapolis, Indiana) school district has shifted from a traditional approach to programming for gifted and talented students to a talent development approach, creating a K-12 Talent Recognition and Development Program (TRAD). The program focuses on four talent areas: academic, visual/performing arts, technical/vocational,…

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)

This interview with Calvin Butts III, a gifted pastor of a Baptist church in Harlem that houses the largest Protestant congregation in the United States, investigates his experiences and his views on developing academically gifted African American students, drawing talented people into the ministry, and identifying young talent. (CR)

This monograph presents abstracts of 32 papers on the development of general versus specific abilities and their relationship to diversity in gifted and talented students. Sample topics include: creative development at the college level; cultural and linguistic differences in gifted children; Project High Hopes, a program for gifted students with…

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)

This theme issue of a Texas journal on gifted education contains articles focusing on math and science instruction for gifted students. "Science Education for Gifted Students" (Joyce VanTassel-Baska) discusses what a science curriculum for gifted students should include, what teachers can do to make reform efforts successful, and how to…

This article urges a constructive dialog between artists and educators in order to establish a new direction for the education of youth with special talents in the arts. The fundamentals of artistic talent are discussed, followed by consideration of effective means to identify potential talent and develop talents in all students, including…

This article reviews the literature on high school athletics and the dynamics of athlete-coach relationships, describes the methodology of an ethnographic study of the culture of an inner-city high school swim team, and examines the characteristics and impact of one coach as he encouraged high academic achievement and talent development in his…

A Better Chance, Inc. (ABC) is a national academic talent search agency that identifies gifted minority children and provides them with college preparatory education. ABC uses multiple assessment techniques, including objective factors such as scores on the Secondary School Admission Test, and subjective factors, such as an independent mind and a…

The Javits 7+ Gifted and Talented Program (Community School District 18, Brooklyn, New York) was designed to provide an opportunity for socioeconomically disadvantaged children to receive intensive school-based activities that would prepare them for gifted education programs. Teachers assessed students using Howard Gardner's concept of multiple…

Reports the retrospective thoughts of 161 former participants of Saturday and summer gifted programs at Purdue University (Indiana). The programs offer enrichment and accelerated classes in all areas of the curriculum for children from age 2 through middle school. The programs' role in shaping career choices is discussed. (CR)

This paper focuses on selection of students and curricular programming in gifted education. A current emphasis on selection rather than identification of able learners, including culturally diverse able learners, is noted, as are new understandings of the nature of giftedness, including: giftedness is more than high intelligence; giftedness is…