The results of a series of empirical studies on perfectionism in the gifted are reviewed. Contrary to common beliefs, results indicate that perfectionism is not greater in the gifted and that striving for perfection is more likely to stimulate healthy achievement needs than to be associated with personal or academic maladjustment. (Contains…

The achievement goals of 127 sets of parents and perfectionism in their academically talented children (56% boys) were studied. Children of performance goal, rather than learning goal, parents were more likely to exhibit dysfunctional perfectionism, with a combination of concern about mistakes and doubts about actions, parental expectations, and…

This reprint of an article on using grade advancement as a method for meeting the needs of some intellectually or academically gifted students is preceded by a commentary that concludes that popular sentiment and negative folklore supporting grade advancement are unfounded. Grade advancement guidelines are provided. (Contains references.) (CR)

In this article, the Advanced Placement (AP) Program of the College Board is described. It discusses the quality and standards for AP classes and examines the success of AP students, AP Scholar Awards, and resources for information on the AP program. A list of AP subjects and examinations is provided. (Contains references.) (CR)

River Oaks Elementary is a public school in Houston Independent School District's Vanguard Magnet Program. Magnet programs are one of the district's ways of providing parents with choice in public education. The Vanguard program serves students who have been identified as potentially gifted and talented in intellectual ability, creativity, or…

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among students' self-perception, attitudes toward school, study and organizational skills, achievement motivation, attributional style, gender, parental involvement and style, parental income and parental level of education, and students' academic performance or achievement. Using…

THIS STUDY SOUGHT TO DISCOVER AND ANALYZE SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES IN MOTIVATIONAL PATTERNS AND THE EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT OF TALENTED STUDENTS. THE OBJECTIVES WERE TO DETERMINE--(1) THE DIFFERENCES IN MOTIVATION TOWARD ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT BETWEEN THOSE WHO ACHIEVE AND THOSE WHO DO NOT, (2) THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ACHIEVERS AND NONACHIEVERS IN…

Compared beginning kindergarten subtest scores on Vane Test of Language and Vane Kindergarten Test to Metropolitan Achievement Test Scores in reading and math, Otis-Lennon School Ability Test Index, and placement into special education or high achievement programs following second grade. Results revealed effective predictability of the screening…

Results from a meta-analysis of 26 controlled studies on the effects of accelerated instruction on elementary and secondary school students are presented. The examination performance of accelerates surpassed the performance of equivalent age and intelligence nonaccelerates and equalled the performance of same-grade but older, talented…

Describes admissions procedures, graduation requirements, curriculum, and achievement of students in the Science/Math Mini-School Program, housed at F.W. Ballou Senior High School in Washington, D.C. The program is especially designed for talented minority students who show promise in the fields of science and technology. (Author/GC)

This study compared the achievement of biology, physics, and chemistry students in Higher Level (HL) International Baccalaureate (IB) programs with achievement of students in Subsidiary Level (SL) IB programs and regular Alberta (Canada) programs (n=708 students). Students in IB out-performed students in regular programs. Within IB, HL and SL…

A study involving 566 Singaporean high-achieving sixth-graders and 32 teachers found that students reported higher on task and ego goal orientations and less on work avoidance tendencies; the more ego-oriented the students, the better they performed academically; and teachers' classroom task goal orientation had positive influences on students'…

This article describes common student traits found from analysis of self-reported experiences of six radically accelerated gifted youths. It concludes that intellectual ability far above the average and student eagerness to accelerate are prerequisites for successful radical acceleration. Descriptions by two students of their accelerated programs…

Finds that, compared to national norms, students who are academically successful are significantly lower on communication apprehension in dyadic contexts and group contexts, and significantly higher on self-perceived communication competence with strangers. Suggests that key communication variables affecting academic success might be: apprehension…

Seventy-nine male and 89 female adolescents participated in a study concerning identification and socioemotional situations. Subjects included 22 many-sided gifted achievers, 45 one-sided gifted achievers, 27 gifted underachievers, and 74 controls. Results suggest that the general self-concept of high school students, including the gifted, is…