Information on writing competitions for elementary and secondary grade students is provided including the Future Problem Solving Program, the Scenario Writing Program, the Ann Arlys Bowler Poetry Contest, and the "Kids Are Authors" contest. Summarizes four references for young authors on getting published. (DB)

Describes a program that uses independent study in English to engage gifted high school students. The program requires students to leave school to research a topic of choice, present the acquired knowledge, and determine their own grades. The students pursue their projects with the help of mentors. (CR)

Discusses six young adult novels which feature adolescents who possess a variety of gifts and talents. (MG)

The research of psychologist and educator Leta Hollingworth (1886-1939) in the areas of psychology of women, mental retardation, and intellectual talent is summarized. Topics include the variability hypothesis of male/female differences, the seeming greater incidence of mental retardation among males, identification of the gifted, and myths about…

A summer program was developed in the Camden area of South Carolina to involve third-grade artistically gifted/talented students in activities in visual art, drama, music, and movement. Described are the program's selection process, goals, rationale, projected outcomes, staffing, facilities, and program administration. (JDD)

Individuals from homes in which competitiveness is valued, modeled, and rewarded tend to be more competitive than individuals from less competitive homes. Competitiveness of individuals and their home environments varied significantly according to the field of talent, with the psychomotor fields being the most competitive. (RH)

Describes a course in printmaking taught at the Indiana University Summer Arts Institute (Bloomington), a two-week program for artistically talented seventh- through tenth-grade students. Focuses on two printmaking processes, acetate etching and linoleum block printing, and on altering and improving an image associated with each process. (LS)

The paper views career development for gifted and talented youth as an organized, long-term commitment which should begin with parents, be fostered by educators, and continue into work settings in which professionals are engaged. At-risk students from backgrounds that do not foster such career development activities require additional assistance.…

This investigation examined the relationships among a teacher's creative thinking, playfulness, and degree of sensitivity in interactions with preschool children during play. Results indicated that expected positive relationships among creativity, playfulness, and an elaborate teaching style were found only for the students. (Author/PB)

In 2 studies, 53 elementary school students in Australia participating in gifted and talented programs experienced systematic declines in 3 components of academic self-concept but not in 4 components of nonacademic self-concept. Results are discussed in terms of the "big-fish-little-pond" effect proposed by H. Marsh. (SLD)

This paper traces the history of gifted and talented education programs in Taiwan and describes their current goals; factors influencing their development; recently established programs; support systems in the areas of program design, teacher training, resources, and research; and identification procedures. (Author/JDD)

Guidelines for promoting gifted education programs are offered, including being judicious in promotion efforts, developing support among different role groups, and strengthening support within role groups (e.g., teachers, parents, students, administrators, community leaders, policymakers, and business leaders). A cyclic model of advocacy stages is…

The article distinguishes between gifted, creative, and talented and describes child development as involving five "roots," consisting of genetics, bodily nourishment, self-concept, environment, and acculturation. (DB)

This article describes a cooperative program between the Monroe (Wisconsin) theater and arts organizations and a summer school class in which 25 students in grades 4 through 12 interested in the arts dramatized 40 original creative writing works of other students. (DB)