The prediction of creativity is an intricate and difficult problem for which there is no currently accepted method of solution. At least two conceptually discernable types of creativity are identifiable in research on the topic. The first type conceives creativity to be a trait which is distributed across the population in a fashion analogous to…

The Duke University Talent Identification Program was initiated to identify verbally and mathematically precocious youngsters. This program is a 16-state effort not only to identify brillant students, but to follow and nuture their talent and assist in their educational development. (MLW)

The Multidimensional-Multiattributional Causality Scale and the Mathematics Attribution Scale were administered to 107 gifted high school students. Both scales' assessments of the attribution of school success and failure to effort and ability were significantly correlated. Limited support for their convergent validity was indicated. (Author/GDC)

Presents a four-year follow-up study comparing the performance of intellectually superior children (N=25) admitted early to school and the performance of normal children (N=40) admitted at the regular time. Achievement scores, self-emotional adjustment, and school success (promotion/retention) are discussed. Results revealed nonsignificant…

This study examined patterns of academic progress and outcomes in different inner city school settings (identified as gifted or geneal education) for African American and White lower, middle, and upper socioeconomic strata students. It followed 287 students' progress from kindergarten through their graduation year, 185 of whom were considered…

This study of 68 scientifically gifted Korean high school students indicated that males and females are more similar than different on mental health profiles. Both sexes were relatively free of maladjustment, with males scoring higher on self-criticism than females. Self-concept was correlated with intelligence but not with achievement.…

Frame-of-reference theory was applied to verbal and mathematics self-concept and achievement measures with 103 high school students, ages 13 through 15, who were academically able. Path analysis verified the influence of both internal ability comparisons across academic areas and external ability comparisons relative to peers in determining…

This interview with an author who investigated "untracking" in America's schools discusses whether tracking enhances academic achievement, why tracking is harmful, how common tracking is, what elementary school tracking looks like, advantages to grouping children homogeneously for certain subjects, alternatives to tracking, cooperative learning,…

In a study involving 43 Norwegian high-ability 16-year olds, the superior achievement of males in both mathematics and general factual knowledge is interpreted as supporting a sociocultural explanation of sex differences in achievement. Parent education was also correlated with achievement. (SLD)

Examined ability of Kindergarten Screening Battery (KSB) to predict first grade reading placement; first grade reading and mathematics achievement; and second grade reading, mathematics, and listening comprehension achievement. Findings from 215 bright kindergartners indicated KSB was effective predictor of first and second grade criteria and KSB…

Examined the performance of intellectually gifted pupils in enriched programs in grades five through eight. Pupils in enriched classes showed academic achievement superior to that of pupils in normal classes. There was variability among gifted pupils in academic achievement and in characteristics of learning, motivation, creativity, and…

Comparison of differences between the top 5% of ninth- (n=1942) and twelfth-grade (n=2277) students in science achievement and remaining students found that far more high achievers were male, typically came from small families, and had parents with more formal education (often in the sciences). High achievers typically preferred questioning over…

Fifty junior high school students were compared on achievement subtests requiring either analytic/convergent or holistic/divergent cognitive processing. Underachievers performed as well as achievers on tasks requiring holistic processing but did not perform as well on detailed or computational tasks requiring precision, attention to detail, and/or…

As part of a national study, measures of intrinsic motivation, perceived competence, and academic achievement were administered to 949 academically gifted second and third graders at the beginning and end of the school year. Structural equation modeling indicated that intrinsic motivation influenced perceived competence and that perceived…

Examines various assumptions that underlie current definitions guiding the assessment of gifted and talented students, making suggestions reflective of the synthesis of available constructs defining gifted education. Implications of these assumptions for assessment (primarily identification) of gifted and talented students are noted. Using types…