This article examines the Office for Civil Rights' (OCR) position on non-discriminatory testing, polices and practices and the role and responsibility of the OCR in securing the civil rights of culturally and linguistically diverse students in the context of gifted education. Possible discriminatory practices in gifted education are outlined.…

In this interview, Mary M. Frasier, the founder and director of the Torrance Center for Creative Studies, discusses attitudes that create barriers to including disadvantaged or minority students in gifted programs. The need for administrators to be truly committed to finding gifted children from underrepresented groups is stressed. (CR)

Some forces that undermine programs for gifted, such as misguided fiscal policies, simplistic teaching methodologies, and a resurgence of the philosophy of egalitarianism, are reviewed in this article. Analogous to the demise (and possible resurgence) of programs for the gifted is the evolution of women's sports since the 1920s. (Contains…

This article begins with an overview of how historic notions of presumed African American intellectual inferiority permeate gifted education. The effect of race and its implications for gifted education are then examined, along with the influence of peer culture on African American schooling. The need for additional research is stressed. (Contains…

A study of 115 Hispanic and 119 Anglo fifth-grade students and 12 teachers investigated teachers' nomination rates of Hispanic and Anglo students to gifted-and-talented programs. Results indicated that ethnicity was a factor in teachers' nomination rate and that differences in rates were more pronounced between Hispanic and Anglo females.…

This article posits that increasing minority teachers in gifted and talented (GT) programs will lead to an increase of minority students in GT programs. Ways to recruit and prepare minority teachers are discussed, as are multicultural and bilingual options for GT programs. The need for evaluation data is stressed. (Contains references.) (CR)

A study examined differences between teacher ratings of 87 Anglo-American and 63 Hispanic fifth-grade students based on the students' ethnic status and acculturation level. Anglo-American students were rated higher on characteristics relating to learning, motivation, creativity, and leadership. Highly acculturated Hispanic students received higher…

This article reviews factors affecting the persistent underrepresentation of black students in gifted education and offers suggestions for recruiting and retaining these students. It is argued that a deficit orientation held by educators hinders access to gifted programs for diverse students, and that too often educators interpret differences as…

A proper proportion of low-income participants and children of color should be identified for gifted/talented education programs. A modified quota system can be implemented by combining the use of intelligence tests and behavioral scales with individualized selection procedures that provide special consideration for poor, minority, and handicapped…