Gagné's (1985, 2003, 2008, 2015, 2018) Differentiated Model of Giftedness and Talent (DMGT) is one of the most widely used conceptual models in the field (Robinson, 2017), and as Merrotsy pointed out (2017), is claimed to be the most commonly applied conceptualisation in Australia. Merrotsy's recent article, published in the December 2017 issue of…

In this commentary, James Gallagher states that there is a point where Joan Freeman's discussion in "A Quality of Giftedness" departs from established knowledge regarding gifted students. She opposes acceleration of gifted students because of the social problems and the boys-among-men athletic activities that she notes. In those beliefs…

In their target paper, "Towards a systemic theory of gifted education," A. Ziegler and S. N. Phillipson present a long awaited call for a paradigmatic shift in thinking within the field of gifted education. The paper considers how educators and researchers within the field could bring about such a change. They challenge the prevailing…

In this response to Joan Freeman's "A Quality of Giftedness," Have Vidergor states that provisions for gifted, talented, and excellent students should be offered by regular schools, taking into consideration levels of giftedness, offering a variety of interdisciplinary elective courses and subjects to about 20% of the school population,…

Several scholars have asserted that the underrepresentation of minority students in gifted and talented education (GATE) programs is the result of biased assessment practices. However, an examination of the psychometric properties of scores on cognitive ability, achievement tests, and rating scales do not support these claims. We contend that the…

Roland S. Persson's (2012a) argument is that there is a dominant research culture in the field of gifts and talents, which must of necessity distort research and practice in cultures which are different. He ties this to the dominance of the global economy and points to the need for more cross-cultural studies. In this commentary, the author points…

In this article, the author discusses the meaning and importance of high grades and high achievement in terms of giftedness. She offers some reasons to tell children about the importance of school achievement. She suggests that good grades are no guarantee of eventual adult success, whether that is defined as a high income or a rewarding,…

Gifted students certainly present a unique set of challenges to the classroom teacher, but they generally do not require extra or different interventions in order to pass high stakes assessments. With the current focus on students with learning, emotional, or behavioral disabilities that hinder academic achievement, classroom teachers may spend…

There is a fallacy about identifying gifted and talented children and youth that refuses to go away: It is the notion that a single score is "sufficient" for determining giftedness. In this article, the author addresses several reasons for the longevity and ubiquity of this myth, as well as the data that call the myth into question. These include…

Educational programs for gifted students face both philosophical and practical challenges from egalitarians. Some object that gifted schools inherently undermine a commitment to equality in education, while others observe that schools for talented students cater to privileged youth and effectively discriminate against disadvantaged minorities.…

Conversations with Josh, a mentee of the author, and other gifted students caused the author to realize that in many cases, what is presented as appropriately differentiated language arts curriculum for gifted/talented students is nothing more than general education curriculum with additional work at the same level as the regular curriculum. If…

It is believed by many that unsophisticated notions of elitism are the bane of the field of gifted education. Some claims of elitism are based on an interpretation of the founding of their country as inherently egalitarian. Educational opportunities that are tailored to student abilities are determined to be inherently elitist and therefore…

Looks at such areas as the reasons some gifted succeed and others don't, the emphasis on the process models of giftedness, and the problems of identifying and evaluating the gifted. (IRT)

Curriculum must be adapted to match the ability and developmental stages of the academically gifted. The Study of Mathematically Precocious Youth at Johns Hopkins University determined that curriculum flexibility, not change, is the best approach. (JOW)

As a boy, Thomas Edison exhibited many of the traits commonly associated with gifted students that differentiate them from their peers. Gifted and talented students: (1) are original thinkers; (2) are at ease in pondering the unusual; (3) can tolerate ambiguity; (4) are not frustrated by lack of closure; (5) have powerful imaginations; (6) display…