Peer relationships play an important role in socialization during childhood and young adolescence. Negative relationships may pose multiple difficulties for children related to their development that can have lifelong influences. Research indicates that the quality of peer relationships is associated with a variety of outcomes, such as social…

Four authors present arguments and counter-arguments on issues in gifted education, including student boredom, the atrophying of abilities not used, advanced classes which focus on ability but are out of step with student interests, problems of social adjustment in grade-skipping, etc. All authors stress the importance of the whole child. (JDD)

A physically disabled adolescent describes how, as a middle school student, he formed a wheelchair club to provide support and a forum for shared experiences among similarly disabled peers. Eventually, club members invited guest speakers and developed several disability awareness programs for their nondisabled classmates and teachers. (JW)