This article discusses concepts related to character strengths and positive youth development and how these ideas can be applied to improve outcomes among gifted young people. A theory with roots in public health, The Theory of Triadic Influence (TTI), is discussed with examples applied to gifted populations. Practitioners and researchers from…

The article discusses the identification of gifted and talented students and describes a group of slides that were developed to illustrate various learning and behavioral characteristics of such students. Examples of eight of the slides are presented, along with the traits they exemplify. (DLS)

This article focuses on the underrepresentation of African American males in gifted and talented programs, and offers a number of key recommendations to practitioners and researchers who seek viable strategies to circumvent this problem. Beyond the focus on underrepresentation, several additional topics for discussion are excogitated to provide a…

A rationale for the multidimensional approach to giftedness is presented, and creativity in the multidimensional model is examined. Several conclusions about the assessment of creative talent are made, along with thirteen specific recommendations. Some continuing problems in the area are discussed, along with needed research. (DLS)

The authors suggest the need for conceptual shifts in the identification and definition of gifted children. They foresee a change toward broadened assessment of cognitive and affective development. Among recommended service options are advance placement classes, early admission, curricular comprehension, work study programs, and supervised…

The digest addresses issues related to preschool gifted and talented children. Such a child is defined as one who functions significantly above average age level in language development, thinking skills, creative thinking skills, physical adaptability, social skills, and/or leadership. Early identification is viewed as important, and the use of…

Standardized test instruments inherently and systematically impose limitations on experiential-cognitive relevance, especially in reinforcing the convenient separation of individual aptitudes from the total development and socialization of a child. (Author/IRT)

This paper suggests the use of the term "marked aptitudes" to describe exceptional attributes of pupils. It is felt that this avoids the misleading connotations of "gifted" and focuses on the specific area that is exceptional. (Author/DB)

This research report provides an evaluation of a screening program to identify potentially gifted or handicapped children among new entrants to New York City schools. Chapter 53 of the New York State Education Laws (1980) requires screening of students in the areas of physical development, cognitive skills, receptive and expressive language,…

This reprinted 1979 article presents 11 steps in establishing a course for parents of gifted children and offers suggestions on operationalizing the course plan. A model 10-week course is described that covers the overall scope of gifted education, including identification procedures, characteristics, parenting techniques, programs, curricular…

Aspects covered include federal support for the gifted, identification, the arts, the developmental process, and minority and disadvantaged gifted. Trends examined include cooperation between special and regular classroom teachers, more comprehensive program planning, and greater advocacy efforts. (DLS)

The paper describes methods of identifying giftedness, instruments for assessing creativity, and the need for a single measure of many different kinds of talent. Development of the Khatena-Morse Multitalent Perception Inventory, which identifies talent in the areas of art, music, leadership, and creativity, is discussed. (JDD)

This article describes a set of 10 positively stated commandments designed to guide professionals responsible for the academic talent development of K-12 students. The first four target identification procedures, the "who" of talent development; they ensue directly from the conceptual framework of my Differentiated Model of Giftedness and Talent.…

The study examines the effectiveness of the New York City mandated (Chapter 53 of the Laws of 1980) screening program to identify handicapped and gifted students entering kindergarten or first grade. Noted are the law's assumptions: (1) that it is possible to determine giftedness or handicapping conditions at ages 5 and 6; (2) that it is possible…

The digest examines aspects of serving gifted and talented handicapped students in the schools. This population includes persons of outstanding ability or potential who are capable of high performance despite handicaps such as visual, hearing or orthopedic impairments; emotional disturbances; or learning disabilities. Examples of prominent gifted…