The nature of giftedness and talent is discussed in terms of definitions and characteristics of the gifted/talented population. Research and literature on gifted/talented children is reviewed, including the work of J. Renzulli, L. Terman, and J. Goertzel. (SBH)

The Writer-in-Residence project in Lothian Region schools is described through an interview with Donald Campbell, a poet and playwright who is one of the five writers traveling between schools to identify and assist students with writing talent. (SJL)

The Gifted Department of the Rockford Illinois Public Schools has provided a preschool summer program for identified gifted children and their parents attending cojoint sessions with preschoolers in a classroom environment directed by a teacher and parents in a discussion/work group with a psychologist. (Author/SBH)

Evidence is presented for the reliability and validity of the Talent Identification Instrument, an observation process in music and dance in which multiple judges rate students throughout a multisession audition. Strong agreement among raters and adequate stability estimates were found. Factor analysis and construct validity procedures provided…

Discusses differences between teachers' concepts of creativity, traditional views of creativity, and how these differences may explain contradictions between teachers' dislike of creative children and teachers' own self-reports that they enjoy working with creative children. Recommendations for improving identification of creatively gifted…

Identified characteristics and needs of vocationally talented high school students and assessed how their needs can best be served in vocational education using descriptive data from 31 secondary vocational directors. Found three categories of talent by students in vocational courses: academic, vocational, and academic and vocational talent. (ABL)

The article provides practical suggestions for teachers working with gifted learning-disabled students. It includes a discussion of whether students can be both gifted and learning disabled, and reviews service options, methods of identification, and programing for this population. (DB)

These suggestions for teachers of gifted students with hearing impairments address definitional dilemmas affecting this population and special screening and evaluation problems. Guidance is given concerning choosing a "gifted" definition, selecting measures for identifying giftedness, and determining the reference group. Teachers are urged to look…

A pentagonal implicit theory of giftedness and five criteria for designating a person as gifted are considered. Research with 24 college students and 39 parents of gifted children assessed whether this theory captures people's intuitions about giftedness and whether they use these criteria to evaluate others. Implications for educational practice…

This study found that parents (n=118) who believed their preschool children to be gifted tended to (1) have specific beliefs concerning the constituents of giftedness, (2) exhibit a fairly high degree of accuracy in their judgements, and (3) have beliefs differing as a function of their children's actual ability levels. (Author/DB)

This article argues for the importance of identifying musically gifted young children. It considers (1) reasons for identifying such gifts early; (2) characteristics of musically gifted young children; and (3) provisions to develop these talents. (Author/DB)

A "Discovery Program" implemented in 1989 to help underprivileged gifted and talented students in Israel advance in their chosen fields is described. The importance of local administration and participation is stressed, as are optimal ratios of underprivileged to privileged youth for maximum benefit to all. (PB)

This article examines barriers to recognition of and assistance for gifted and talented Black students. Rationales for reexamining current theories and definitions are discussed and arguments made for broadening theories of giftedness to better include Black students. Suggestions are made for change and a list of considerations for educators…

Parents of academically gifted children expect schools will identify children's talents, play a significant role in talent development, and support excellence and achievement. However, gifted programs either do not exist, are minimal, do not allow for progress, or are insufficient to meet the needs of these children. (SK)