The booklet is intended to help recruit teachers and familiarize prospective teachers and related services personnel with opportunities for serving exceptional children in North Dakota. Teaching careers and professional preparation for students with five types of disabilities (specific learning disabilities; emotional disturbances; mental…

General developmental stage theory itself is briefly summarized, and the literature is reviewed. Suitable modifications of developmental stage theory for gifted children are briefly considered. Three paramount developmental issues for educators of the gifted are examined. (DLS)

Three facets of the teacher education model describe student characteristics which dictate the need for educational alternatives, the various roles which the successful master teacher must perform, and the various competencies which permit the teacher to function in a variety of roles. Examples of learning experiences are provided. (Author/CL)

Four issues of gifted education for which more attention should be paid to the development of defensible rationales are examined, touching upon identification of the gifted, process models of gifted education, teachers of the gifted, and program evaluation. (DLS)

As presented, goal attainment scaling involves devising a set of goals with involved persons, assigning weights to these goals, developing a set of expected outcomes for each goal, scoring the outcomes, and calculating a summary score of the outcomes across the goals. (Author/DLS)

Examines criticisms in gifted education from the perspective of a teacher of the gifted. Critical concerns about identification of gifted students and special programming to meet their needs are discussed as they affect classroom instruction. (Author/DB)

Networks of teachers working with gifted, creative, and talented students help participants overcome feelings of isolation, update skills and knowledge, and share information about successful curriculum innovations. The experience of a network in Connecticut is described with comments about geographical coverage, meeting schedules and agendas, and…

Ten tips are provided to help teachers of gifted students cope with the unique stressors that they face. Tips include making parents allies, putting grades in perspective, and setting realistic goals. Activities are presented for use as introductory "ice-breakers" or concluding activities for workshops for teachers and parents of gifted students.…

A portable learning center with places to display changing materials and task cards has been used to model instructional methods for teachers of gifted students. The approach, used with discussion, lecture, simulation, and individualization of instruction, helps inservice and preservice teachers understand development of self-direction. (CL)

Thirty gifted education teachers were compared with 46 regular education teachers using the Teacher Perceiver Interview. Gifted teachers differed from regular teachers on six characteristics (Focus, Gestalt, Innovation, Mission, Rapport Drive, and Investment) but did not differ on two commonly cited characteristics of gifted teachers:…

This article discusses desired characteristics and competencies in teachers of gifted students who are culturally, ethnically, or linguistically diverse. These include: culturally relevant pedagogy, equity pedagogy, a holistic teaching philosophy, a communal philosophy, respect for students' primary language, culturally congruent instructional…

Describes course activities which allow university education students to experience the problems of exceptional children. Topics discussed include mental retardation, visual, auditory, physical, and learning disabilities, behavior disorders, and gifted children. (KC)

This guidebook for California teachers of gifted students discusses common issues and concerns, suggests solutions, and identifies resources. Part 1, in question and answer format, covers: characteristics of gifted students, identification, curriculum and instruction, classroom management, special challenges, characteristics of teachers of gifted…

Five expert teachers in gifted education and ten teachers without specialized training were compared on perceptions of and provision for gifted students. Responses differed markedly in allocation of responsibility for learning, depth of suggested activities, general organizational schema, programming of academic subjects, perception of the…

Effective use of microcomputers with gifted students requires that educators consider long- and short-range program goals, select software carefully, and integrate microcomputer functions into the overall curriculum. Microcomputers are not a panacea for the gifted, but their proper use may enhance instruction and stimulate learning. (JHZ)