Random polygons were used as stimuli in a two-choice multiple discrimination learning paradigm designed to test individual learning ability. A nonverbal test was developed in order to avoid the cultural and racial bias which, according to the author, is inherent in verbal tests. Information processing rate (IPR) was used as the measure of learning…

The research reported here was designed to measure the abilities of school-age children to form and generalize "visual concepts" on the basis of their observation of prepared sets of art reproductions. The art reproduction sets displayed similarities based upon various visual attributes. Discrimination of the attributes common to any…

Based on international research and practice, this text is designed to enable elementary and secondary practitioners to identify able pupils with special needs such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyspraxia, dyslexia, and Down syndrome, and then make provisions for them within the mainstream school. Following an introduction that…

The new edition of this text provides updated views, events, and research findings, including a study of extraordinarily successful career women, more attention to gifted education in rural areas, counseling of gay students, and suicide prevention. Chapters have the following titles: (1) "Gifted Education: Matching Instruction with Needs"; (2)…

This monograph reviews the role played by public policy in the education of gifted students. It describes the special rule making in identification, placement, program, and accountability. These rules emerge from legislation, court decisions, administrative rule making, and professional standards. Special problems involving racial discrimination,…

This paper analyzes Jencks et al's (1983) and Hauser et al's (1983) reports of their research on the Wisconsin status attainment model. For example, the meaning and interpretation of "unmeasured" family background are discussed and the charge that the status attainment model ignores social structure is examined. (Author/IS)

The analysis in this article is directed to the basic issues: Are IQ tests biased against Black children? And are IQ tests valid for the placement of Black children in special programs? The research evidence on these major issues is ambiguous and contradictory. (Author/CTM)

This article describes critical events that have shaped gifted education, including: psychometrically-based pedagogy, the space race, the civil rights movement, passage of special education legislation, changing concepts of intelligence, brain based research, curriculum differentiation, the inclusion model of instruction, and funding of gifted…

When trying to explain the discrepancy between the numbers of white students in gifted education programs and the number of culturally diverse students in gifted education programs, it becomes apparent that there are multiple factors at play with the most prominent one being the identification process. Most districts begin the identification…

This paper presents the findings of a study that investigated whether members of culturally diverse populations could be more adequately represented in elementary gifted and talented programs through the use of a non-traditional assessment method. Teachers nominated students for gifted programs from multiple assessments and observations. The…

This collection of articles on gifted learning disabled students begins with an explanation of the philosophy of the Center for Talented Youth at Johns Hopkins University (Maryland), a list of characteristics of gifted disabled students, and three definitions of learning disabilities. The following papers are then provided: "Gifted but…

Six new forms of Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) were developed. These new forms were equated to a standard reference test, ASVAB 8a, using normative data based on a 1980 weighted probability sample of American youth, ages 18-23. Equating allows the services to report the distributions of examinee ability on a common metric or…

Popular sentiment toward the teaching of thinking skills and, in particular, higher order skills, is on the rise. Many people are wondering about the best way for teachers to foster the growth of reasoning skills in their classrooms. This study attempts to improve the teaching of reasoning by investigating teaching behaviors or characteristics…

A competency-based approach to gifted education is presented which recognizes the importance of developing teaching approaches to meet the needs of individual children. The paper begins with a definition of giftedness and talent and a description of parameters in the planning and design of a curriculum for gifted pupils. Four differentiation…

Research was conducted to improve applicant selection procedures in the Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps (AFROTC) scholarship program. The objectives were to document predictive relationships, if any, between student aptitude measures, academic major, institutional selectivity, and eventual completion of the scholarship program. The…