Asserts that many enrichment options are congruent with core beliefs regarding middle school pedagogy and suggests some models that will raise the ceiling of achievement for gifted learners and provide opportunity to enhance the learning of all students. Focuses on: (1) shared vision; (2) flexible grouping structures; (3) varied teaching and…

Provides brief history of the German Gymnasium as a traditional European secondary school system with a preparatory function for higher education. Reviews the main goals of the gymnasium. Asks what role the gymnasium plays as a learning environment for gifted students. Discusses the politico-educational consequences and demands on the gymnasium.…

Views about the purposes of school, motivational orientations, and beliefs about the causes of academic success were examined in a sample of 119 seventh- and eighth-grade students of very high academic ability and attainment. Results indicate that competitive and acquisitive attitudes may be incompatible with interest in learning. (TJH)

Certain highly able and motivated young adolescents can successfully pursue full-time college-level studies without unreasonable compromises to psychological and social adjustment. Ways in which an adequate program facilitating early college entrance might be structured are suggested. (Author/MLW)

This 10-year longitudinal study of 46 female and 35 male high school valedictorians found that differences in career aspirations among the women were largely accounted for by their varying approaches to issues of career-family balance. Role expectations appeared more influential in determining career attainment than did actual life role timing.…

Explains the concept of least restrictive environment (LRE) and explores the ways in which it fits and does not fit gifted education. The paper discusses LRE as it relates to special education and to gifted students, investigates whether separate education hurts gifted students, discusses gifted students and the equitable society, and looks at the…

This paper describes Test Analysis, an alternative assessment method which shifts the responsibility for learning and grading to the student. Students perform a written analysis of their corrected tests, especially errors, prior to receiving a final grade. Improvements in student attitudes toward tests and performance on them are reported from…

The internal/external frame of reference model was examined for 131 adolescents participating in a summer program for academically talented students. Results suggest that the model was useful in understanding the academic self-concept development of students, with no significant differences among students with strengths in mathematics, verbal…

This reprint of an article on early education of an exceptionally intellectually talented sister and brother is preceded by a commentary that stresses that many teachers and administrators fail to appreciate acceleration as part of the complement of options to be used with gifted students. (Contains 4 references.) (CR)

This reprint of an article on results of longitudinal studies of mathematically precocious youth is preceded by a commentary. The commentary stresses that results of the studies indicate that there is no evidence that accelerants lose interest in the area of acceleration or experience knowledge gaps. (Contains references.) (CR)

In contrast to the extensive investigation of the characteristics of students who fail or perform badly in "new" universities, research into the factors associated with academic excellence within post-1992 institutions has been sparse. This empirical study examined the profile of a sample of 81 high-flying business studies undergraduates…

This article examines the process of identity development in gifted adolescents and provides a theoretical and research-based explanation of its importance for influencing achievement and quality of life in adulthood. Teachers, counselors, and parents can use "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" (Rowling, 1997) as a springboard into discussion…

This fourth and final volume of the 31st annual proceedings of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education conference presents research reports for author surnames beginning Na- through Zod-. Reports include: (1) Mathematically Gifted Students' Problem Solving Approaches on Conditional Probability (GwiSoo Na, DaeHee Han,…

This paper describes the organizational structure, managerial responsibilities, and working policy of the 26-year old Andrews University Honors Program, an undergraduate program that was designed to attract talented and motivated students to the school, and operate effectively even during times of declining college enrollment. First, the paper…

The Ardmore, Oklahoma, School District developed the 3-year Pyramid Project to implement the following recommendations of the Sid W. Richardson Foundation Study of exemplary programs for high ability students: (1) broaden the process for assessing student abilities, (2) adopt continuous progress and appropriate pacing, (3) cultivate students'…