We cannot assume that youngsters will be drawn to a study of the past on their own initiative, and the public education system has dismissed the study of history as irrelevant. Native-born Americans cannot gain the same insights through osmosis that foreign-born citizens acquire through supervised study. (MT)

The article describes the advantages of word processing for children with problems affecting motor coordination and control or with disorders affecting memory, planning, spelling, and organization. Stressed is the importance of software selection, instruction, and computer access. (DB)

Parents of two gifted children are interviewed about their decision to teach their children at home. The parents describe their reasons for taking the children out of school and the benefits of home schooling and offer suggestions for other parents contemplating the idea. (CL)

The National PTA president introduces this issue of "PTA Today" which is devoted to the theme "Our Planet, Ourselves." The issue was the result of numerous requests by PTA members to provide them with useful environmental information. (SM)

Discusses the need for smoking prevention programs that help adolescents resist social pressure and that use the results of current smoking prevention research. Theoretical foundations of current smoking prevention programs are also provided. (AS)

Saturday enrichment programs are viable options for gifted children who are not served in the public schools. Because such programs are not dependent on schools or state departments for funding, or for initiation, Saturday programs can be successfully operated by parent and other advocacy groups. Guidelines for considering such programs focus on…

Illustrates how one mother and her 10-year-old son worked out a latchkey arrangement for after school. (PCB)

The parents of two gifted children describe their children's experiences with IQ testing, note their reactions to the process and the benefits of the testing. (Author/CL)

Biographies provide the opportunity for identification, not only with those who are great today but also with those who have lived greatly in the past. Biographies fulfill students' needs for identification with someone who is admirable. Examples of inspiring life stories, sources of such stories, and questions are included. (JD)

The learning disabilities (LD) of some gifted students are categorized as subtle gifted LD, hidden gifted LD, and recognized LD and then discussed. Use of instructional strategies that are effective with gifted students and with students who have learning disabilities is recommended. (DB)

Discussion of the nature/nurture controversy in giftedness concludes that giftedness has a strong hereditary basis that is greatly influenced by educational experiences. The importance of the affective domain is also stressed. Some specific suggestions are offered to help students nurture themselves and to help parents and teachers nurture others.…

The paper describes ways in which parents can help their learning disabled children at home. Suggestions touch upon establishing a set time for evening homework, a consistent place for study, involving fathers in homework, using graph paper to ease arithmetic assignments, considering options for reading assignments, using a duplicate set of books…

Considers reasons gifted girls fail to reach their potential, pointing to extraordinarily good social adjustment as a factor in their tendency to underplay their talents and lose sight of their academic goals. Suggests ways in which teachers, parents, and counselors can provide guidance for gifted girls at particular education levels. (DMM)

Penetrates educational rallying symbols and technological paradigms to celebrate Donald Schon's reflection-in-action approach to teaching. Advances an alternative, nonpartisan vision of American Education that fulfills promises, opens spaces for inquiry and dialog, and overcomes a spreading passivity. Affirms freedom, imagination, passion, and the…

The authors provide information about test construction and testing practices in order to help parents and teachers to ask important and critical questions about them. Issues pertinent to the appropriate selection, use, and interpretation of tests are presented. (Author/CL)