This study sought to determine whether mnemonics or lecture was a more effective teaching technique in the instruction of world geography facts within a pull-out gifted education program for eight elementary-level minority students from a Hispanic dominant school within a rural, Hispanic dominant district. Graphic results supported the hypothesis…

This study examined the effects of curriculum compacting, a curriculum modification technique for gifted and talented students, with approximately 436 elementary teachers and 783 students in 27 school districts throughout the United States. The study was designed to investigate the types and amount of curriculum content that could be eliminated…

This chapter examines the potential pitfalls in evaluating the effectiveness of gifted education programs and applies recent trends in the assessment and maintenance of quality in industrial applications. Evaluators are encouraged to avoid the temptations of bad evaluation which may appear to offer simpler alternatives to complex tasks but…

This study sought to determine the effects of the Junior Great Books program on the higher level thinking skills of gifted/able learners and on interpretive reading skills development. Three groups of students were observed. They consisted of 83 elementary students in 2 experimental groups, all of whom participated in a Junior Great Books program,…

This paper reviews what is known about the relationships between gifted adolescents and their family members and school associates, and offers some ideas and suggestions to help in improving these relationships. Attitudes of the gifted themselves toward giftedness are considered, noting differences between extremely gifted and moderately gifted…

The six issues of this newsletter have the following themes: (1) home schooling, (2) promising practices, (3) parent advocacy, (4) the young gifted child, (5) "being out of sync," and (6) philosophy of giftedness. Major articles include the following: "Homeschooling for Gifted Primary Students" (Patricia Linehan); "Learning to Fly: A Home…

The Self-Description Questionnaire-II (SDQ-II) was used to assess the self-concept of 148 very talented students during an intensive summer academic program. The domain of Physical Abilities was the only area in which students' mean scale scores were below the mean. In fact, a significant number of students (approximately one-third) scored two…

This theme issue of "Update on Gifted Education" brings together accounts of diverse efforts being made to encourage excellence and equity in schools. A dialogue with Lionel R. Meno, Commissioner of Education in Texas, stresses how services for gifted students fit into the larger picture of addressing the needs of all students, examines…

This paper provides a list of questions to help teachers and administrators determine whether initial plans for gifted and talented services are actually aligned with the program implementation. Questions focus on students, curriculum, program implementation, and service delivery and relate to: (1) identification and services provided to gifted…

This document provides guidelines for clinicians working with gifted, suicidal adolescents. It addresses: (1) the need to set limits in the early sessions of psychotherapy; (2) the necessity of maintaining a presence by making personal sacrifices through being accessible, talking on the phone, scheduling extra sessions and, in extreme cases,…

This document explains Oregon requirements for identification and programming for gifted and talented students. Five simple rules for planning programs and services are listed. Flexible pacing options are discussed, including continuous progress, early entrance, grade skipping, concurrent enrollment, advanced level courses, credit by examination,…

The paper examines the continuing overrepresentation of minorities in special education programs for the mildly handicapped and their underrepresentation in programs for the gifted and talented. Alternative policy strategies are presented for advocates and decision makers concerned with reducing the increasing racial and ethnic disparities in…

Six thematic activity booklets are presented for implementing Project EAGLE, an enrichment program for gifted and talented primary-level children. "Animals 2" teaches the concept that animals have a variety of characteristics and attributes, by having students choose an animal, think of a problem the animal might have to solve, picking…

This paper describes the organizational structure, managerial responsibilities, and working policy of the 26-year old Andrews University Honors Program, an undergraduate program that was designed to attract talented and motivated students to the school, and operate effectively even during times of declining college enrollment. First, the paper…

This study addressed the problem of meeting the needs of elementary school gifted students in mainstream computer literacy instruction. The objectives of the study were to provide the teachers with a knowledge of Logo commands and concepts, and to help them develop a positive attitude toward the use of Logo. Twelve workshop sessions were held for…