Several recent experiences suggest that Hungarian students are among the best prepared mathematically in international comparisons of achievement. This paper outlines the cultural background of mathematics learning in Hungary that influences that international standing. Achievement factors in the whole cultural context include: the role of…

The Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities provides a comprehensive academic program in a residential setting for approximately 300 academically gifted high school juniors and seniors. Operated by Ball State University, the Academy has created a curriculum with three dimensions--one for learning a core body of knowledge (the Core…

This paper introduces the Learning Outcomes Study at the University of Virginia, an ongoing 2-year investigation of over 1,000 elementary school children who entered one of 16 different gifted programs (or no program) in the fall of 1990. The study will compare effects of four examples each of four types of program delivery arrangements: (1)…

The International Baccalaureate (IB) program, in which students in the last 2 years of high school can earn a diploma recognized for university admission throughout the world and for course credit at colleges and universities in Canada and the United States, is described. Information about the program is provided in the following areas: (1)…

A mentor-assisted enrichment program was initiated in the 1981-82 school year for gifted/talented (GT) 6th and 7th graders in a public elementary school in Vancouver. The mentors were 11 pre-service teachers who used a "Four Phase Enrichment Model" to assist pairs of students to plan, carry out, complete, and then present an enrichment project to…

This paper offers an overview of the Academic Enrichment for Gifted in Summer (AEGIS) programs, an in-depth view of one AEGIS program, and a description of the creation and production of a historic play. In 1984, Arkansas sponsored its first 5 summer AEGIS programs, involving 275 students. In 1988, programs served 1,300 students. Day-programs…

The Alternative Teacher Education Program (ATEP) at Kent State University features the selection of academically able students, an inter-institutional planning council, the matching of a master teacher with a preservice teacher for a 2-year period, an individualized course of study jointly designed by the faculty advisor and student, and the…

This booklet provides an overview of the Elements of Mathematics Program used in Project MEGSSS (Mathematics Education for Gifted Secondary School Students). It was designed for gifted students in grades 7-12 with excellent reading and reasoning ability. It attempts to explore the upper content limits of the mathematics that such students can…

This collection of essays deals with teaching secondary school students who are academically gifted. These students have an unusual capacity to accomplish something; they have aptitude in some special areas. They have artistic or physical skills, or they are talented verbally, linguistically, or mathematically. The essays have a broad application,…

The real aim of the study of history is to enable students to develop conviction about their values and beliefs. To promote this end, the teacher must take a strong hand in helping students identify the broad themes that they should trace in their reading and class discussion. The point of discussion is to organize facts and develop…

This article describes the development of a one-semester science seminar course for high school juniors and seniors in a suburban/rural Pennsylvania school district. It addresses scheduling considerations and planning activities, the role of the teacher in the seminar approach, use of community resources and guest speakers, standards and…

This article describes an interdisciplinary classroom project in which ninth graders simulate a "World Council on Genetic Technology." Students in small groups take on the persona and interests of individuals from specific countries in the group effort to develop a covenant for regulating the use of biotechnology. The benefits of having gifted…

Describes the process of developing a summer school social studies program for academically talented seventh graders. Based on a video encyclopedia, the program covers social, political, economic, and cultural events of the twentieth century. Includes sample activities. (LS)

Describes Woodlands Mountain Institute's leadership program, which helps exceptional West Virginia high school students get into good colleges and serve home communities after finishing college. Describes cases of low-income students assisted by program in college selection and financial aid. Describes colleges' cooperation, peer-counseling…

Foreign language instruction is known to develop better critical thinking skills in children. Therefore, the teaching of foreign languages should be promoted so that "all" students may attain better creative, divergent, critical, and analytical thinking skills. Research done in past years on cooperative learning models has consistently shown that…