Argues that politics of research must be considered in study design and interpretation of results. Efficacy studies leave larger ethical and philosophical questions unaddressed, such as who decides what constitutes appropriate objectives for whom, and why. Concerns are raised about social consequences of labeling. (TE)

Controversy about which students should be selected for participation in programs for the gifted and talented has existed since the inception of special services for this segment of the school population. In most identification systems that follow the traditional screening-plus-selection approach, the "throw-aways" have invariably been those…

Describes the development of the self in gifted individuals based on observations in therapy and counseling settings. The concept of the self, problems of "differentness," and the gifted self are considered. Issues such as perfectionism, labeling, adult development, and excellence versus equity are discussed and illustrated with…

This paper examines coercive egalitarianism as it relates specifically to gifted education. Deliberate underachievement is seen to result from this egalitarianism which has arisen as a result of overriding concerns with creating equity among students. Additionally, envy by other students results in their attempting to compromise those advantages…