The Special Program of Training was created in Brazil to offer high-level learning experiences to gifted college students. The program includes professors serving as mentors to selected undergraduate students, special lectures, visits to laboratories, and participation in conferences and research projects. (JDD)

This study evaluated the effectiveness of the Schoolwide Enrichment Model (SEM), a system intended to nurture behavioral giftedness without reliance on gifted identification procedures. The study found SEM positively influenced the attitudes of elementary school students (n=1,935) in six middle class schools. SEM may provide schoolwide benefits…

Used four-subtest short form of Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised to develop efficient, simultaneous screening/assessment procedure for identifying gifted students for special programs. Estimated statistical relationship between subtest and full-test scores using test score data from 203 students. Found subtest score of 52 both…

The questions of "untracking" and cooperative learning for the academically gifted are important, because arguments concerning this small population are often used to defeat tracking reduction or elimination efforts for other students. This article rejects ability grouping for high achievers and recommends cooperative programs involving all…

Strategies are discussed that provide a theoretically sound, valid, and practical framework for evaluating the processes used in identifying gifted/talented students. The strategies stress assessing the relevance of instruments used, their reliability and validity, their limitations, and using a variety of evaluation techniques. (JDD)

Four nomination forms were used to identify 15 intellectually gifted, hearing-impaired students, aged 5-20. Compared to controls, the nominated group had a higher mean intelligence quotient percentile and a higher mean score on the nomination forms. Each of the forms was capable of distinguishing between subjects and controls. (Author/JDD)

Technologically mediated distance learning can enable school districts to meet the curricular needs of gifted children when neither student numbers nor the local tax base allows for traditional solutions. The issues of access, effectiveness, and encouragement of schools and teachers to use the technology are discussed, focusing on the situation in…

Flexible pacing through the curriculum is recommended to meet the needs of able learners. Considerations in developing flexible pacing programs are described, including the influence of school policy, the population served, implementation strategies, staff selection and staff development, evaluation methods and results, and the role of support…

This article delineates characteristics and needs of gifted youth which should be addressed in developing the gifted curriculum, presents guiding principles for curriculum development, illustrates the goal writing process, specifies definitions and parameters of the process, and illustrates the development and use of scope-and-sequence documents.…

Stresses that music teachers should be able to identify gifted and talented students for special programs. Explains some of the issues involved in the identification process, describes various types of data and data-gathering instruments that have been developed, and gives some general guidelines for setting up an identification procedure. (SLM)

Self-images of 76 male/101 female adolescents talented in mathematics, science, music, athletics, or art were compared to those of 112 male/106 female average teenagers, using the Offer Self-Image Questionnaire for Adolescents. Talented adolescents had self-images generally similar to their average peers. Implications for the development of talent…

"The Mentor Network" is a program designed for self-selected, gifted college students. In the program, highly motivated students are matched with mentors in their fields of interest and meet weekly to share ideas and experiences. Vignettes describe the successful results of three mentor-student partnerships. (JDD)

Labeling is a social process involving the labeled individual and society. Labeling a student "gifted" can have both positive and negative effects on the labeled student, the student's parents, siblings, teachers, and others. Suggestions are offered to maximize the positive elements of the label and to minimize its negative elements. (JDD)

This article discusses the validity of using conventional psychometric tests to assess the abilities of disadvantaged pupils, justifies the use of alternative assessment procedures, emphasizes the importance of changing teacher attitudes toward the disadvantaged gifted, and suggests ways to nurture and develop the talents of disadvantaged…

South Carolina's requirement that school districts identify and serve artistically gifted/talented students in grades 3-12 has led the State Department of Education to develop support activities, as establishing curriculum guidelines, showcasing successful programs, and creating leadership roles for the South Carolina Arts Commission and the…