This reprint of an article on the identification of and programming for gifted preschoolers is preceded by a commentary that stresses the gulf between parents' and teachers' perceptions and beliefs when it comes to precocious young children. Findings from the study indicate parents were much more supportive of curriculum differentiation. (Contains…

The parent of a gifted child provides the following recommendations for parents: encourage learning and growth in areas of the child's passion; explain to the child that the way he feels is normal for him; make available resources written for children that explain giftedness; and educate yourself. (Contains 3 references.) (CR)

This study examined the career aspirations of 227 gifted early adolescents. Results showed that girls were interested in a significantly greater number of careers and showed greater gender-role flexibility in their career aspirations than did boys. Boys aspired to careers that were significantly higher in education required and prestige level than…

Documents from all states were analyzed for requirements for teachers in preparation for teaching diverse students including the definition of diversity used, whether documents listed specific standards, and whether preparation for teaching students with exceptionalities was also listed. Although 41 states had some requirements, specifics,…

This article discusses the need for activities that foster critical thinking within secondary literature-based courses. The rationale for teaching thinking skills and activities that focus on synthesis and evaluation are presented. Teachers are urged to become critical thinkers in their determination of content, process, and product choices.…

A study involving 1 urban site and 5 rural sites investigated the effectiveness of the Mustard Seed Project in training teachers to differentiate curricula for gifted students. The majority of the teachers (n=74) at each site made changes. Participants cited staff-development activities, leadership, mentoring, resources, and project support as…

Township High School District 214 in Illinois has developed a gifted program that provides curricular options that meet students' needs in their talent areas and supports life and career planning. This article describes the program's philosophy, student identification, curricular and co-curricular programs, life and career planning efforts, and…

The education of gifted children in Italy is discussed and past and present research on the topic is reviewed. The role of cultural values in educational policy decisions for gifted children and for community institutions is analyzed, along with efforts to construct a new identification of gifted optimal human development. (Contains extensive…

This article discusses the effects of political and economic changes upon the internationally recognized Russian schools for mathematically and scientifically talented students. Threats to such schools include emigration, budget cutbacks to the schools, and people's growing disillusionment with science as a vehicle for economic and social…

This paper proposes a framework of gifted education policy and applies this framework to gifted education in the United States and Taiwan. The hierarchical model embodies policy, sources of policy, and influencing factors. A survey in Taiwan examined public attitudes toward gifted/talented education, knowledge of gifted education policy,…

A study explored whether the 95th percentile qualifying score cutoff in use by the Elementary Student Talent Search was appropriate for 2,926 third to sixth graders who took the EXPLORE test. Results indicated participants earn EXLORE scores that are approximately normally distributed and that they compare favorably to eighth-grade norms.…

Describes how teachers can support the learning of the most able elementary students in science in normal classroom situations. (Author)

A study involving 547 girls and 641 boys investigated gender-related differences in prior knowledge in physics before the start of initial physics instruction and influence of prior knowledge on future achievement in 8th-grade German physics courses. Girls achieved lower overall scores in the applied test of prior knowledge in physics. (CR)

Gender differences among 172 male and 153 female academically talented freshmen students admitted into a university honors program were assessed on attitudinal, behavioral, and demographic survey items. Women were weaker in math, studied more, were more likely to volunteer, and more likely to seek counseling for emotional concerns. (CR)

This study analyzes four gifted education models and six middle school models to identify specific areas of commonality and/or conflict. Common and compatible areas are identified. Results of the study offer very positive implications for appropriately meeting the needs of all students, including gifted children, within the middle school context.…