The paper presents basic information about gifted underachievers (UAGs). Terms such as "potential" and "underachievement" are defined and identification processes considered (parents' and teachers' roles are defined, and typical characteristics of UAGs noted). Causes of underachievement in gifted students are considered, including motivational…

Interviews were conducted with 45 members of the Arizona Indian community and 34 non-Indian teachers employed at schools where the majority of students are American Indians to examine variables involved in identifying and providing programs for gifted Indian children. Ss were asked a series of questions regarding definitions and characteristics of…

A discrepancy model is proposed as one way to meet the program needs of gifted and talented students. The model incorporates processes which first identify strengths then those academic or other talents in which the student shows limited or no ability. The third aspect of the model calls for identification of those areas in which the individual…

Theatre auditions by 24 semifinalists in the 1980 Scholars in the Arts program were evaluated under two conditions. Four judges ranked the live auditions, while five evaluated videotapes of the same performance of the high school seniors. The auditions were videotaped in black and white. A single camera was used, fixed at an intermediate distance…

The paper considers myths about the educability of children from varying ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds, and addresses the special needs of gifted Black adolescents. Hereditary, environmental, and developmental views toward educability are reviewed, and the developmental position is further examined as it relates to minority…

Literature on identification of gifted preschoolers and infants is discussed, including difficulties in attempting to identify potential giftedness in very young children, the importance of early identification, and identification methods currently available or in use. Research that shows promise for use with preschool and infant schoolchildren is…

The paper provides an overview of discriminant analysis and illustrates how this technique can maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of procedures for identifying intellectually gifted students. (Author/CL)

The study reports a survey of 461 New Jersey school districts which showed significant relationships between gifted/talented participation rates and (1) race, (2) spending per pupil, (3) property value per pupil and (4) the socioeconomic status of school districts. The study also found excessive reliance on standardized tests. (Author/CL)

The establishment of a gifted identification system for kindergarten children in a midwest school system is described. Implementation included the following steps: rationale for establishing the program, background and research, methods of screening and identifying participants, design of the program, and techniques of evaluation. (Author)

Performance of 46 gifted and talented elementary students as displayed on the Achievement-Aptitude Profile of the Woodcock-Johnson Psycho Educational Battery suggested that the test is useful for identifying and assessing this population. The Woodcock-Johnson and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised appeared to have concurrent…

Assessment procedures aimed at differentiating intellectually gifted young children from their nongifted peers are proposed as alternatives to traditional identification procedures. Suggested is measuring the use of strategic behavior to solve novel problems. (Author/CL)

The article describes a system for identifying and programing for gifted students in grades K-4. J. Renzulli's Enrichment Triad Model is used, providing three types of enrichment: (1) general exploratory experiences; (2) experiences to develop higher level thinking processes, research skills, and personal/social skills; and (3) independent…

The article introduces the special issue of the journal on the issue of intelligence testing as it applies to the identification of gifted students. (Author/CL)

Reasons for the inadequacy of IQ test cutoff scores in identifying giftedness are presented, and recommendations are made for necessary improvements in local, state, or national guidelines, policies, and procedures. (Author/CL)

The article suggests that intelligence testing effectively serves the purpose for which it was created and that it can yield a wealth of valuable information about a gifted child. The authors note that acknowledging that other measures are needed does not invalidate those measures currently used. (Author/CL)