Why choose the Integrated Curriculum Model (ICM) in an effort to "raise the bar" for all students? Results of an intervention targeting kindergarten through grade five students in Title I schools using the ICM to change teacher perceptions of student abilities are reported. We describe the ICM as a component of school-wide intervention…

This article presents an interview with Dr. Kirsi Tirri, Professor of Education and Research Director in the Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies at the University of Helsinki, Finland. She also is a visiting Professor at St. John's University, New York, USA. Tirri served as President of the ECHA (European Council for High Ability) from…

This study investigates the process of identifying high-quality lessons for gifted learners that integrate the arts with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. These STEAM lessons have the potential to develop deep thinking, as well as develop creativity and visual--spatial skills that are necessary in the STEM…

The Primary Education Thinking Skills program (PETS) was implemented in three third grade classes and two kindergarten classes in a Title I school. The PETS program is a Talent Development program designed to teach students critical thinking skills and other gifted behaviors with the expressed goal of the program's creators that the regular…

This article focuses on cluster teachers' differentiation of their classroom instructional practices within an urban setting. Data were gathered from classroom observations of the learning task, questioning, and the classroom environment; ratings of observations using the "Classroom Instructional Practices Scale;" and interviews with…

A longitudinal study of the implementation of a small-group affective curriculum involved Grades 5-8 in a school for gifted children. Teacher-facilitators' perceptions were of interest. Over time, significant positive change occurred for items related to the perceived need for an affective curriculum, impact on the school, and teachers' confidence…

What does it take to become a successful performer of Western classical music in the United States today? What factors, beyond technical proficiency and musicality, come into play? We started exploring these questions in a study of gatekeepers' (e.g., critics, artistic directors) views on key variables that contribute to the career trajectories of…

The aim of this study was to assess Israeli Jewish and Arab teachers' perceptions of the desired characteristics of teachers of the gifted. The research sample comprised 217 teachers (134 Jews and 83 Arabs) representing three groups: (a) teachers entering a professional development program for teachers of gifted students; (b) teachers of gifted…

This article revisits the 1986 Feldhusen, Proctor, and Black recommendations on grade skipping. These recommendations originally appeared as 12 guidelines. In this article, the guidelines are grouped into three general categories: how to screen accelerant candidates, how to engage with the adults in the acceleration process (e.g., teachers,…

This study compared parent and teacher perceptions of 23 gifted children's (ages 6-12) social skills and the importance of different social skills. Teacher ratings of cooperation were significantly higher than parent ratings, and teachers valued cooperation highly. Parent ratings of assertion were significantly higher than teacher ratings, and…

This reprint of an article on how one rural school district was able to use effectively a variety of acceleration strategies in different elementary schools is preceded by a commentary that stresses that the form of programming is less crucial than the training and attitude of the participating teachers. (Contains 3 references.) (CR)

This descriptive study investigated two areas: (a) perceived changes in gifted and talented (G/T) programming in Iowa from the time a state mandate was implemented to the time of the study, and (b) perceived effects of the mandate on G/T programming in Iowa. Perceptions of middle-level teachers of gifted and talented students (n = 111) were…

A survey of 50 teachers of gifted programs (grades K-9) found they had familiarity with at least one or more theory-based models for gifted identification or education. When asked if they follow a specific model, 26 of the teachers stated they did not. Ranking of program goals varied by grades. (Contains references.) (CR)

A survey of 173 advocates of cooperative learning and 141 gifted education teachers revealed a wide chasm between the 2 groups on the issue of heterogeneous and homogeneous grouping for cooperative learning. Many educators linked cooperative learning with the antitracking movement. Both groups supported having more staff development and…

The GESA (Gender/Ethnic/Racial Expectations and Student Achievement) program is a staff development program to aid teachers in identifying and removing classroom biases. GESA utilizes peer coaching and a team approach and has resulted in teachers reporting positive effects upon student attitudes and achievement. (DB)