To reduce the possibility that children who do not fit stereotypical profiles of gifted children will be passed over, identifying students from diverse backgrounds for talent should be a multipronged effort. Outreach is especially important in areas when parents may be absorbed in meeting their family's immediate needs. To facilitate identification at school, teacher training programs now provide education about cultural and talent diversity among gifted students and about the ways learning style differences can mask evidence of special talents. The children themselves, and the adults in their lives, may not even be aware of their talents, but schools can use the following methods of identifying giftedness to make sure that students receive fair consideration: (1) standardized tests; (2) observation; (3) self-identification through biographical inventories; and (4) portfolios. Identifying the special talents of students from diverse backgrounds is just the first step toward helping them achieve their full potential. (Contains 12 references.) (SLD)