Discusses the importance of mentoring programs for children, particularly for especially creative gifted children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. It describes characteristics for a successful mentor relationship and ways mentors can help in the expression and development of positive creativity in children. (CR)

Details two studies exploring how the middle school movement has affected gifted students. Notes the gap in attitudes between educators of gifted students and educators involved in the middle school-reform movement. Presents examples of fruitful collaboration that give promise for more effective future interaction. (SD)

Various perspectives on scientific giftedness are analyzed that lead to a framework for understanding it. It is suggested that authentic scientific creativity is a meshing of artistic and scientific abilities. Implications for gifted educators include the provision for artistic activities as a contributory factor in successful gifted science…

This article highlights the Talent Profile, a cumulative record that describes and visually synthesizes students' outstanding achievements from K-12 in any valued field of human activity in which children and adolescents are active. The profile highlights individual differences and offers a range of expectations/benchmarks for the high-end…

This article presents eight passages from Rousseau's "Social Contract," followed by comments clarifying the pivotal concepts in this important and influential work and sketching typical responses to Rousseau as they have occurred in classrooms for gifted students. Strategies for integrating Rousseau's philosophy into the curriculum are…

This article discusses problems in the training of gifted musical performers and evaluates the role of a musical maestro in talent development, argues that musicians may suffer from the expectations and traditions inherent in "conservatory culture" and suggests that maestros may at times be unsuitable teachers and mentors. (Contains extensive…

Explored the utility of an involvement and talent development framework in assessing the success of charter schools and their students. Focus group interviews with parents and teachers in four Ohio charter schools indicated that student, teacher, and parent involvement and growth of students' cognitive and affective talents were important…

Introduces a collection of articles that describe how Howard University's Center for Research on the Education of Students Placed At Risk (CRESPAR) is trying to faithfully represent the talent development philosophy and principles in its research and development activities (which holds that all children can meet high standards when there is a…

This article describes how an inner-city school used Renzulli's enrichment activities model to provide opportunities to above-average students who may not have been identified by traditional identification procedures. The program offered students opportunities to produce "real world" videos utilizing a production company who trained them in media…

An examination of major Indian gifted programs demonstrates that the programs, devoid of any serious psychological theory or conceptualization and unaware of the unparalleled features of the Indian sociocultural context, are carried out in a mechanical and oppressive fashion leading to the identification and sustenance of mediocrity. (Contains…

Society is in danger of undermining the value of research universities, if they are regarded simply as sources of technology. Finds that universities are important as the nation's primary source of knowledge creation and talent. (CCM)

Parents whose children were attending pre-college music programs (N=203) responded to 14 statements regarding reasons for supporting their child's music lessons. Parents generally reported more intrinsic than extrinsic reasons and expectations relating to the benefits of music training. Results are discussed in the context of cultural values and…

Traditional conceptions of giftedness assume that only talented individuals possess the necessary gifts required to reach the highest levels of performance. This article describes an alternative view that expert performance results from acquired cognitive and physiological adaptations due to extended deliberate practice. A review of evidence, such…

Based on survey responses from 230 students enrolled in a summer gifted program at a university, this study gives a description of gifted students? participation in extracurricular activities in and outside of school. Findings show that gifted students were more involved in competitions, clubs, or other extracurricular activities in mathematics…

This narrative presents the educational route followed by an Intel Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) winner who was not always recognized for his scientific abilities. Factors contributing to the success of this gifted student are presented, as well as his creative insights for solving the problem that gave rise to the winning project.…