The topic of this month's column is the development of parent organizations for parents of gifted and talented children.

Suggests initial considerations in developing programs for gifted and talented students: identification, program format, community involvement, and curriculum. (SJL)

A mother describes the experiences of her seventh-grade son in a special Saturday class for mathematically gifted students. She discusses advantages, as well as disadvantages of the program. (CL)

Last year Marian Leibowitz presented workshops in 27 states on improving instruction for gifted and talented students. In this interview she gives an overview of what she has seen in programs around the country. (Author/MLF)

Discusses the politics involved in creating programs for gifted and talented students and the nature of the students and teachers who should be involved in such a program. Available from Private School Quarterly, P.O. Box 21587, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33335. (IRT)

A parent of a gifted student reviews the development of a gifted and talented program in his school district and makes suggestions for full-time program coordinators, increased role of the guidance counselor, and greater emphasis on career education at the high school level. (CL)

The author describes the activities and achievements of two federally funded projects for gifted and talented education in California. (CL)

The article presents a detailed description of a process for identifying culturally different gifted children. (Author/DLS)

Gifted students and high achievers form the most neglected group of students in public education; meeting their capabilities requires more than can be provided in today's regular classroom. (MM)

Presents flow theory in the context of evolution. Defines the elements of "flow" and contends that flow results in an optimal state of inner harmony which improves one's chance for survival. Identifies consequences of flow for creativity, peak performance, talent development, productivity, self-esteem, and stress reduction. Examines the…

The article describes a process used by one school system to identify gifted three- to five-year olds. The process has been operational for five years and involves both screening (i.e., education of the public, general screening, and individualized screening) and formal evaluation (i.e., comprehensive evaluation and the evaluation report).…

Leadership behavior, creative ability, and dramatic skill of 54 school-age children and youth were rated by their teachers. Significant correlations were found between leadership and dramatic skills and between creativity and dramatic skills but not between leadership and creativity. (Author/JDD)

Discusses some of the benefits of talent searches and how they are helpful when planning curricula for mathematically talented students. Contains 17 references. (Author/ASK)

The genetic endowment underlying giftedness may operate in a far more complex manner than often expressed in most theoretical accounts of the phenomenon. First, an endowment may be emergenic. That is, a gift may consist of multiple traits (multidimensional) that are inherited in a multiplicative (configurational), rather than an additive (simple)…

The purpose of the current study was to determine the number of gifted students with disabilities identified and served in gifted education programs in the state of Mississippi. Four categories of giftedness are set forth in the regulations for gifted programs are: (1) Intellectually gifted children refers to children and youth who are found to…