Depicts a secondary gifted program in Beijing, China. Students in the program complete the regular eight years of elementary and secondary education (grades five through 12) in four years and then are admitted into universities. Factors contributing to the uniqueness of the program and issues affecting program development are discussed. (Author/CR)

Identifies some of the inherent problems involved in, and presents a differentiated definition of, "developmentally appropriate programming and practices" that specifically targets the special needs of young gifted children. A Multidimensional Curriculum Model is introduced which can be used to design developmentally-based curricula appropriate…

Responds to this issue's initial article that presents 22 sequentially structured statements on the nature and origin of human abilities, gifts, and talents. Suggests putting aside the terms "gifted" and "talented," creating a hierarchical or categorical list of abilities, and downplaying the dichotomous conceptualization of nature and nurture.…

Discussion of trends in gifted education suggests the need for a step backward (the importance of realistic expectations for gifted students), continuity in broad-based approaches to identification and development of enriched curricula for all students, and new directions and challenges including modifying attitudes toward gifted education,…

A case study of four Hong Kong schools investigated the perceptions of gifted students towards the regular classroom environment before and after they attended enrichment courses. The schools examined had not developed explicit policies and most pupils were dissatisfied with regular classroom learning, particularly after attending enrichment…

This article discusses the purpose of gifted program evaluation and identifies some of the pertinent issues involved in evaluating gifted programs. The gifted program delivered by the Peel District Board of Education in Ontario, Canada, is used to illustrate key evaluation considerations, including gifted identification procedures and gifted…

Explores how "corporate venture philanthropy," in the form of grants and technical expertise, could help expand the number of talented students from traditionally underrepresented groups in higher education. (EV)

This article discusses historical and contemporary educational provisions for gifted and talented students in Australia. Five young adults reflect on their educational and career paths in the creative arts, sports, music, medicine, and business to illustrate how talents are nurtured in Australia at the end of the 20th century. (Contains extensive…

Discussion of gifted children with disabilities notes that many such children are excluded from gifted programming due to a deficit in some aspect of development. The concept of global giftedness is critiqued. Examples of gifted individuals with learning, physical, sensory disabilities or with autism are offered and suggestions are given for…

River Oaks Elementary is a public school in Houston Independent School District's Vanguard Magnet Program. Magnet programs are one of the district's ways of providing parents with choice in public education. The Vanguard program serves students who have been identified as potentially gifted and talented in intellectual ability, creativity, or…

The main goal of this paper is to investigate cross-cultural factors that predict academic ability among mathematically gifted Olympians in Finland and the United States. The following two research problems are formulated: (1) What factors contribute to or impede the development of the Olympians' mathematic talent? and (2) Do the Olympians fulfill…

Professional development has moved from the periphery of teachers' professional lives to center stage, clearly recognized today as one of the key factors that shape teachers' ability to reach and teach all students successfully. To be effective, any professional development program must pay close attention to changes in teacher classroom…

This mixed methods study employed comparative, case-study methodology to explore influences affecting the development of musical interests and achievements in eight female and eight male young adults with Williams Syndrome. Components of the "Schoolwide Enrichment Model"; (Renzulli & Reis, 1997b) were used to guide the study. Caregivers completed…

In low-performing public high schools in U.S. cities, high proportions of students drop out, students who stay in school typically do not succeed academically, and efforts to make substantial reforms often meet with little success. The Talent Development High School model is a comprehensive school reform initiative that has been developed to…

This theme issue on gifted high school students presents several feature articles, a California legislative update, and an editorial. In "Summer Seminar '93--California in the 21st Century," Janis Van Dreal describes a 2-week residential program in which gifted high school students examined California's future. "Visiting a Gifted…