The points and counterpoints presented in this article highlight a few of the many issues that stand in the way of a fully organized, sustained approach to school programming for the gifted. ( Author/AM)

The beginnings of education and assessment for gifted students are traced, current practice summarized in terms of tests used, requirements of state legislation noted, critical issues (such as the lack of agreement about the nature of giftedness) discussed, and recommended practices identified (such as assessment through instruction). (CL)

Parents of preschool gifted children were surveyed regarding their attitudes toward the identification process (almost half were uncertain about the system), participation in the program (transportation difficulties), administrative considerations, preschool teachers, and individual educational planning (a majority supported the IEP). (CL)

The paper summarizes literature on assessment of gifted minority students. Measurement issues are outlined, published reports of research designed to identify gifted minority students are reviewed, and various aspects of assessment of gifted minority pupils are discussed. Recommendations include being aware of cultural diversity, expanding the…

The article describes the procedures, results, and followup of a Search for Exceptional Academic Achievement involving 450 7th and 8th graders nominated by their schools or by themselves. Sixty-eight Ss achieved scores on the Washington Pre-College Test high enough for early college entrance. (CL)

An investigation of the predictive validity of the STAR (Screening Test for Academic Readiness) with 74 students referred for assessment revealed that prekindergarten STAR scores significantly predicted verbal performance and full scale IQ scores on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised obtained several years later. (CL)

The parents of two gifted children describe their children's experiences with IQ testing, note their reactions to the process and the benefits of the testing. (Author/CL)

The Special Program Responding to Intellectual Needs of Gifted designed an assessment and intervention process similar to special education programs. Individual objectives and activities were written based on present functioning. Three years of implementation produced change in excess of chance and maturational projection in 22 of the 26…

Opinion Attitude and Interest Survey (OAIS) for college bound students. (Editor)

In a study involving 59 gifted fifth- and sixth-grade students, Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices test was a more significant predictor of intelligence than Meeker's Structure of Intellect screening form for gifted. The use of either measure in screening or identification was questioned. (CL)

The editor introduces a special issue on myths in gifted education. He suggests that myths deal with three major topics: definitions of the gifted and talented, identification, and programs. He concludes with a list of 14 questions concerning alternative approaches. (CL)

Reading for primary level gifted children should provide for more appropriate experiences than by mere adaptations of the regular reading program. Early identification should be followed by small group instruction in which gifted students are encouraged to read widely, creatively, and critically. (CL)