Provides recommendations for developing programs for gifted students. Describes the development of an operational talented and gifted program for elementary students in Connecticut, called Operation Mind Stretch. (MA)

Describes in detail a public school program exclusively for gifted children, grades K-12. Discusses criteria for entry into the program, provides profiles of the students, and explains evaluation of student progress. (MA)

Outlines the formula and the preparation needed to design lesson plans adaptable to any science situation. Provides a detailed example using molds. (Author/MA)

The nine Illinois Area Service Centers for Educators of Gifted and Talented Youth provide assistance to school districts in identifying gifted students and evaluating programs for the schools. (CL)

Over the past 10 or 15 years, gifted education has been transformed. Major changes have occurred in the areas of theory and research, instruction and programming, and consideration of special populations' needs. This theme issue overviews all three areas, focusing on reconceptualized notions of intelligence, alternatives to discontinued pullout…

Middle schools are uniquely able to help early adolescents develop healthy, positive identities. Youngsters should expect to achieve school success and recognition. To develop and recognize individual expertise, schools must expand areas expertise is recognized, valued, and developed; become aware of students' interests and goals; create a…

The cofounder of the Roeper School explains the school's focus on the complex inner-conscious and unconscious development of the gifted child and the school's philosophical basis in self-actualization and interdependence. The need to focus on gifted self rather than on defining the gifted child in relation to cognitive development or talent…

Studied the relationship between performance of challenging out-of-school activities and real-world talent in art, drama, social leadership, and dance in four separate studies of high school students (total n=222) in grades 9 through 12. The strong relationship between predictor and criterion in each of the four domains demonstrated the concurrent…

This article presents scenarios that rationalize a developmental approach to giftedness. It argues that in order to be gifted, one needs to be increasingly active in one's own development as an adult. The implications of viewing giftedness as developing from being to doing are discussed. (Contains references.) (CR)

Parents, school personnel, and counseling professionals (N=335) were surveyed concerning the special counseling needs of gifted students. All groups surveyed believed that gifted and talented youth had unique social, emotional, family, talent, and career development needs best met through differentiated counseling services but not being met…

A study of 38 letters of finding examined the involvement of the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) in gifted education from 1992-95. Results indicate a majority of complaints handled by OCR involved minority access to gifted programs and an increase in the complaints involving gifted students with disabilities. (CR)

The best kind of performance-based funding system is that which encourages and rewards good practice. Any state incentive program should encourage colleges and universities to develop a comprehensive database, conduct more and better talent development assessments, increase student-faculty contact, and increase student involvement in learning.…

This study evaluated the effectiveness of the Schoolwide Enrichment Model (SEM), a system intended to nurture behavioral giftedness without reliance on gifted identification procedures. The study found SEM positively influenced the attitudes of elementary school students (n=1,935) in six middle class schools. SEM may provide schoolwide benefits…

Stresses that music teachers should be able to identify gifted and talented students for special programs. Explains some of the issues involved in the identification process, describes various types of data and data-gathering instruments that have been developed, and gives some general guidelines for setting up an identification procedure. (SLM)

This article discusses the validity of using conventional psychometric tests to assess the abilities of disadvantaged pupils, justifies the use of alternative assessment procedures, emphasizes the importance of changing teacher attitudes toward the disadvantaged gifted, and suggests ways to nurture and develop the talents of disadvantaged…