Experts discuss the approaches used with the nations's gifted and talented students. Among the reasons for program problems is the on-again, off-again interest from the U.S. public and policymakers. Highlights milestones in gifted education; theories of acceleration vs. enrichment; and the controversial option of residential schools. (MLF)

No differences are found in scientific hypothesis formulation ability of 36 male and 50 female gifted ninth graders, but investigation of related variables indicates that hypothesis formulation may be independent of intelligence for high-ability students. A positive relationship also exists between quality and quantity of student responses. (SLD)

The Summer Mathematics Enrichment for Minority Students program was piloted during 1990 by the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science at the University of North Texas. The program provided 19 mathematically talented minority junior high students with rigorous academic instruction, role models, on-campus residence, and social/recreational…

This study found that, of 24 minority students placed in gifted classes from K-12, none dropped out, though 45 percent of 67 gifted minority students not placed in gifted classes dropped out. Graduation rates from the academically talented program followed the proportions of minority to nonminority students in the program. (JDD)

Reported are the findings of a study of the effects of academic acceleration on the social and emotional adjustments of students. Subjects included 1,247 12 to 14 year olds who scored in the top 1 percent on a national mathematics examination. The advantages of academic acceleration are emphasized. (CW)

Investigated group, grade, and gender differences in attitudes toward mathematics and science of gifted middle grades students (n=256) from three ethnic backgrounds. All groups exhibited positive attitudes. Significant group differences were found in students' perceptions of teachers' attitudes, mathematics anxiety, effectance motivation, and…

Explanations for varying emphasis on teaching for higher order thinking in U.S. secondary classrooms and teacher goals are considered. Responses of 303 secondary school teachers (teaching 1,205 classes) to a questionnaire about higher order skills and instructional goals indicate that higher order skills are more emphasized in high-ability…

Science-prone students are both academically gifted and display a driving interest in science. Describes the origins and evolution of the Science Talent Search Program, a program designed to identify science-prone high school students. Discusses variations of four exemplars of the program. (Contains 46 references.) (MDH)

Provides an overview of research literature on gifted children and their families with an emphasis on the endogenous and exogenous factors that can create or exacerbate psychosocial problems. Describes current conceptualizations of giftedness. Suggests an eclectic, eco-systemic approach to three common concerns that bring gifted children and their…

A study involving 112 gifted seventh- and eight- graders found 87.5 percent were perfectionists. Most (58 percent) were in the healthy range of perfectionism, while 29.5 percent were in the neurotic range. Neurotic perfectionists were limited by their fixation on making mistakes, which resulted in a constant state of anxiety. (Contains…

Describes experiences developing a distance learning via television program at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. It focuses on the importance of instructor and facilitator training, student selection, physical arrangements for the studio/classroom, and an evaluation plan. (DB)

Principles of providing appropriate instruction for precocious youth include diagnostic/prescriptive assessment of students' current levels of achievement and readiness for new material; arrangement of instructional conditions so students are working with appropriate curriculum and materials; and provision of classroom learning experiences at the…

Beliefs of 153 academically talented students in grades 3 through 11 about the stability of intelligence paralleled a normal distribution. About half had easily modified views, and 9% were at risk of underachievement based on self-perceptions of low ability and the belief that intelligence is stable. (SLD)

This article discusses the strengths of gifted visual-spatial learners and their struggles with simple concepts. Strategies for teaching visual-spatial learners are provided including general strategies, strategies for making material more meaningful, ways to help such students during lectures, foreign language strategies, math strategies, and…

This article features the Challenge School, a magnet school in the CherryCreek School District in Colorado that focuses on academically advanced, motivated, and gifted students. The school was developed as an alternative to best meet the needs of these students. The Challenge School focuses on high student achievement and commensurate academic…