Thousands of low-income minority students now hold secondary school diplomas from NAIS member institutions. Discusses the learning experiences and attitudes of these students, who are recruited, placed, and supported by an organization called A Better Chance, Inc. (Author/RK)

The American Indian Gifted and Talented Assessment Model has as its goal the appropriate, fair, and thorough assessment of gifted and talented Indian students. The model stresses the need to augment standardized instruments with measures that consider individual ability and needs. (CB)

Examines the nature of desktop publishing and how it can be used in the classroom for gifted/talented students. Characteristics and special needs of such students are identified, and it is argued that desktop publishing addresses those needs, particularly with regard to creativity. Twenty-six references are provided. (MES)

Interviews with 15 gifted/talented adolescents indicated that many of them experienced giftedness as a social handicap. Some students coped with this by managing information about themselves to minimize their visibility as gifted students to others. (Author/JDD)

Discusses the chemistry component of a five-week summer program for talented high school juniors and seniors at the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Sciences. Describes the chemistry core, lab component, team projects, and program results. (CW)

Professional sensitivity and responsibility must be used to describe giftedness in ways that do not isolate gifted children or their parents and which encourage shared advocacy with other educational groups. More information is needed on how labeling of gifted students and conceptual frameworks surrounding exceptionalities affect societal and…

This discussion among seven experts in gifted education includes consideration of the organization of integrated arts and sciences curriculum, course content, and the qualities needed in the faculty of a special high school in Israel. Author/KM)

Values and beliefs that govern educational practices are discussed, as is an alternative value perspective more consistent with the spirit of reform suggested by national reports. Reputational and resource views of excellence are described. Curriculum, teaching, grading, testing, and faculty personnel policies are discussed. (MLW)

With student outcomes assessment, institutions can refocus priorities so that educational quality is based on what and how much students learn. Value-added/talent development and outcomes measures, and models of student outcomes assessment (program improvement, gatekeeping functions, and budget decisions and accountability) are discussed. (MLW)

Examines the life and works of Cynthia Rylant, an author of children's books. Rylant tells about her personal life, discusses her writing habits, how she chooses illustrators for her books, and her relationship with her editor. (NKA)

This study concerns the selection of mathematically talented students at the beginning of secondary school in Australia, using a version of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Age and sex differences were found. Younger and older students responded to SAT items in qualitatively different ways. (MNS)

Game theory is appropriate as a topic for an honors seminar for high school students. Matrices provide a model for analyzing certain situations involving conflict, and probability theory can be used to determine the best strategies for the players. Variations on the ancient game of morra are discussed. (MNS)

Higher education's principal reason for being is seen as that of developing student talents. This premise suggests that a high-quality institution is one that maximizes the intellectual and personal development of its students. Student involvement is seen as the cornerstone of academic excellence. (MLW)

Focusing on the social and emotional characteristics of gifted students in general, and underachievers in particular, the sixteen articles in this ready-reference also provide an introduction to appropriate counseling methods for the gifted. Key features include: (1) Expert Sidney M. Moon's comprehensive analysis of some of the most influential…

Years of youth development research have yielded consensus by researchers, practitioners, and government representatives regarding what young people need for healthy development. Both environmental and social factors are now seen as critical elements for youth development programs. Addressing these factors creates a foundation for the development…