Describes factors hindering the recruitment and retention of minority students in gifted education. Presents recommendations for change that center on equitable screening and identification instruments and procedures, providing minority students with a quality education, addressing barriers to student achievement, and improving teacher…

States and then rebuts the major criticisms of special education for gifted students. These include the idea that education of the gifted is elitist and that testing for gifted identification is prejudicial. Discusses contemporary movements in the sciences, arts, and letters that often discourage the development of excellence. (Author/DB)

Programs for academically gifted students are being sacrificed to address elitism charges and budget crunches, at the same time that funding for students with other exceptional education needs is expanding. Gifted students can be reenfranchised by preparing teachers appropriately, differentiating course content, and improving pacing and grouping…

Recounts the events and people that led to the formation of three early public residential schools for gifted students: the North Carolina School for Science and Mathematics; the Louisiana School for Mathematics, Science and Technology; and the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy. Common features included visionary individuals, availability…

A study of 1,283 academically talented junior high students found that males had higher scores on three of the four subtests of the Spatial Test Battery of the Institute for the Academic Advancement of Youth. Females scored higher on the visual memory test and spent more time on the tests. (Author/CR)

Provides an overview of the literature that has historically framed debates between gifted education and middle grades education. Discusses research that seeks common ground between the two fields, considering the implications for middle school education policies and practices that provide for the needs of high ability students. (JPB)

This article offers a model that distinguishes between natural abilities (or aptitudes) and systematically developed skills (talents). Aptitudes are seen as the constituent elements of talents, which are developed by such constructs as motivation, temperament, and significant persons. The model is then applied to the appropriate use of labels for…

This article describes a university program in China for teenage students highly gifted in science. It reports on the program's initiation, improvement, and expansion to 12 additional universities. Also covered are methods employed in student selection, the curriculum, program administration, and student development. (Author/DB)

This study compared the social status of highly gifted (N=42) and moderately gifted (N=86) secondary students across academic and social settings. Giftedness was not significantly related to social status in either setting. Two social statuses, popular and rejected, were significantly stable across settings and were related to peer nominations for…

This article discusses the purpose of block scheduling, types of block scheduling (alternate day, accelerated block scheduling, and the Copernican Plan), and how many facets of block scheduling can enhance gifted and talented learner experiences. The need for teacher training to meet the needs of gifted learners is emphasized. (Contains…

Discusses what to look for in identifying language disorders in culturally and linguistically diverse exceptional students (CLiDES). Describes Roseberry-McKibbon's Dynamic Dozen, highly successful teaching and learning strategies for working with CLiDE students. (Author/VWL)

Provides an overview of gifted education as viewed by contemporary leaders and researchers in the field, who responded to questions about past, present, and future issues, focusing on the accomplishments of gifted education, core non-negotiables about educating gifted children that all teachers should know, and future challenges and directions.…

This article discusses the effects of political and economic changes upon the internationally recognized Russian schools for mathematically and scientifically talented students. Threats to such schools include emigration, budget cutbacks to the schools, and people's growing disillusionment with science as a vehicle for economic and social…

Gender differences among 172 male and 153 female academically talented freshmen students admitted into a university honors program were assessed on attitudinal, behavioral, and demographic survey items. Women were weaker in math, studied more, were more likely to volunteer, and more likely to seek counseling for emotional concerns. (CR)

This article explores three current trends in middle schools: the growing emphasis on curriculum; a redesign of the "chat" time or the advisor-advisee period; and the expansion of transition planning from the narrow focus on just academic to include social, emotional, vocational, and moral development. (CR)