Mentorship programs are described which involve gifted students and subject experts with no prior knowledge about students' personalities or preconceptions about their abilities, known as "naive experts." The students are challenged by the experts' high expectations and respond to the experts' enthusiasm for sharing their knowledge and…

Presented are a literature review, model, and case study for effective local program development for gifted and talented students. The model applies the research on educational change and institutional excellence to the task of developing excellent programs for gifted/talented youth in school districts of various types and sizes. (PB)

Two mentors in a math mentoring program for gifted students offer principles for developing such a program. Topics covered include mentor qualifications, getting started, finding materials, preparing for the first mentoring session, frequency and length of meetings, student behavior, and planning. (DB)

The Shaperville Academic Recognition Program is a district-wide program for the encouragement and recognition of academic excellence and an attempt to instill in students a natural respect for academic achievement. This article describes its development and implementation from conception to planned obsolescence due to successful reformation of…

One Louisiana school system's development of a program to provide a differentiated curriculum for gifted preschoolers is described. The article focuses on student identification and placement; program structure; types of activities (games tables, free choice centers, individualized and whole group instruction); behavior management and motivation;…

This article describes a Des Moines (Iowa) program in which approximately 100 people or organizations have given 600 hours of time to gifted students. It identifies creative ways to use community resources, where to find community resources (professional organizations, service clubs, school staff, retired persons, parents, students, and…

A high school teacher describes efforts to develop a comprehensive gifted education program while recognizing political realities. The program emphasized use of before-school and after-school periods rather than pull-out, addressed the burdens rather than blessings of high capability, focused on the underachieving gifted, and tried to avoid…

Guidelines are offered for accessing local grant and foundation monies to fund special and innovative activities in gifted education programs. Descriptions of six projects funded by grants from local foundations demonstrate the variety of projects that can be funded. (JDD)

This article provides research-based suggestions for developing educational options based on acceleration to meet the needs of gifted students in rural areas. Accelerative options offered by both the home school and universities in Iowa are described. (DB)

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…

A mentoring program for both gifted and nongifted low- or under-achieving students in grades three-six was developed to improve students' academic standing and self-esteem. Mentors and mentees discuss difficulties with school or social relationships, become involved in special projects, etc. The program has also improved bonds among faculty…

Eleven suggestions are provided for implementation of the Schoolwide Enrichment Model to meet students' needs for enriched learning opportunities. Suggestions include respect the individual interests and styles of faculty; don't waste time trying to convince everyone; and be careful not to take credit for what others do. (JDD)

"The Mentor Network" is a program designed for self-selected, gifted college students. In the program, highly motivated students are matched with mentors in their fields of interest and meet weekly to share ideas and experiences. Vignettes describe the successful results of three mentor-student partnerships. (JDD)

A small-town school corporation developed self-contained, full-time gifted classes for its elementary school students. This article describes program administration, acceleration and enrichment activities, staffing, and efforts to expand the benefits of the program to others. (JDD)

This article identifies problems commonly attributed to acceleration for gifted students. Specific student concerns (such as friendships) and administrative concerns (such as difficulties in awarding course credits) are addressed. Five suggestions are made to help districts plan for providing accelerative options. (DB)