This introductory article examines how intelligence theory influences the way we identify and assess students, our attitudes toward giftedness and gifted students, the models upon which we base our programs and interventions, and many other aspects of gifted education. Past, present, and emerging intelligence theories are discussed. (Contains…

This study assessed the factor structure of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) with 68 Mexican American students (ages 6 to 16) referred for intellectually gifted assessments. Analysis found differences with three previously identified main factors (verbal comprehension, perceptual organization, and freedom from…

An educator of the gifted recounts how she applied principles of gifted education and talent development such as the Enrichment Triad Model to stimulate and enrich the life of her 85-year-old father diagnosed with terminal cancer. The author notes that the need for talent development is lifelong and that stewardship of talent can transform…

This article discusses the structuring of mathematics to challenge the mathematically gifted elementary student. Theoretical background examines the nature of the learning task and the role of the teacher. An example is given of three related tasks that scaffold the learning experience and help the student extend his/her mathematical thinking…

This brief article reviews the literature on the relative importance of genetic or environmental influences on intelligence. It concludes that: (1) giftedness has various expressions; (2) intelligence encompasses a wide range of human abilities; (3) both subjective and objective assessment techniques should be used; and (4) all ethnicities have…

This article presents data showing the gender gap in mathematics and science and identifies and briefly describes 38 Internet sites helpful in encouraging girls in math and science. Sites cover learning activities, career information, collaborative projects, family learning experiences, homework help and tutoring, online learning centers, online…

A study of the predictive power of motivational variables for 154 gifted students in introductory physics courses at German college preparatory high schools found achievement differences were influenced by the talent variable with no significant influence for either approach or avoidance motivation. However, approach motivation positively…

This article examines the historical and current program at the Lavrentiev Physics-Mathematics Boarding School, a special school for highly gifted students in Novosibirsk, Russia. It notes that the declining prestige of mathematicians and physicists in Russia (compared to business-related careers) suggests the school may not continue to produce as…

This pilot study followed up 18 students identified as potentially gifted in 1992 using the Nebraska Project's teacher observation protocol. Results indicated a continued use of traditional identification practices in school districts and the presence of underachieving behaviors in students identified as potentially gifted in 1992 but not…

This article discusses hallmarks that can help educators identify gifted potential in young children, especially those from culturally diverse and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. These hallmarks include: agency (the self in control of its environment), prospectivity (purposeful behavior seeking to accomplish goals) and affordance,…

This article describes a multi-part approach to Shakespeare's playwriting, including his conception of comedy, his method of characterization, aspects of staging, and the status of male and females. It can accommodate all types of Shakespearean plays. "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is treated as seminal, while other plays are also…

Examines gender differences in EXPLORE scores of gifted third through sixth graders. Results reveal that boys performed better on Mathematics and Science reasoning, and girls performed better on Reading, but effect sizes were negligible. Test performance of boys in mathematics was somewhat stronger than that of girls, but results favoring girls in…

This article profiles Leta Stetter Hollingworth, the founder of gifted education. It discusses her childhood, the New York Public School 165 experiment, the Speyer School experiment, and her overriding belief that since all human beings were not created intellectually equal, all children should not be equated in the same way. (Contains…

This article focuses on a personal classroom experience that led to the development of a discussion examination as a strategy for making assessment match classroom practice in a class for secondary verbally gifted students. An example of the grid and point system used to assess the process is provided. (Contains 15 references.) (Author/CR)

The lives of six gifted, male undergraduates were examined to understand how their life experiences influenced their decision to pursue elementary education as a career. Results found they had a strong belief in self, which was influenced by formative experiences with difficult issues, exposure to male teachers, and open-minded parents. (Contains…