This book provides ideas and strategies for developing verbal talents in elementary and middle school students. Chapters include: (1) "The Process of Talent Development" (Joyce VanTassel-Baska); (2) "Talent Identification and Development in the Language Arts" (A. Harry Passow); (3) "Reading, Writing, and the Construction of Meaning" (Nancy Nelson…

Suggests that the bias linking guitars to popular culture has needlessly limited approaches to teaching guitar. Examines how each of five current programs develops different music skills. Advocates a comprehensive, multifaceted program capable of emphasizing student skills in melody, harmony, perception, creativity, and performance over six years…

This theme issue discusses the special needs of gifted students at the middle school level. It presents several articles, editorials, a California funding update, a program spotlight, an educator profile, a column on educational technology, and a book review. An article by Terry A. Thomas, titled "Middle School Madness," discusses middle schools'…

Gifted children need help to realize their contributions to self and society. Too often their talents go unrecognized and their needs unmet. Many Americans hesitate to encourage intellectual or creative talents, but don't complain if students are separated for remedial reading or varsity athletics. (Author/MLW)

An introductory chapter, "Contemporary Issues in Gifted Education" by Julia Dreyden and Shelagh Gallagher, summarizes National Science Foundation policy concerning development of new science and mathematics curricula and the work of the Talent Identification Program. Major conference papers and responses are then presented: "Developing Academic…

Issues to be considered in evaluating a program for the musically gifted are presented as a series of questions evaluators and teachers in the field should ask. The following are considered: (1) student characteristics; (2) participant evaluation; (3) curriculum development; (4) teacher characteristics; and (5) outcomes. (SLD)

In this interview with Dr. A. Harry Passow conducted in April 1991, he addresses the development of the Talented Youth Project, the need for both equity and excellence in education, ability grouping, and the need to train regular education teachers to create quality education programs for all students. (CR)

This report examines the College Discovery and Development Program, which seeks to identify underachieving disadvantaged high school students with college potential, to increase their academic motivation, to improve their scholastic achievement, to develop their acceptance of college study as a realistic expectation for themselves, and to…

Philosophy and practice in gifted education are reviewed, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive planning policy which takes into account the total experience of the gifted student and the need for a differentiated curriculum. Gifted education should include basic skills, general curriculum, talent development, and interpersonal relationships…

Discusses the artistic characteristics of children ages two through six years and the culturally endorsed shift of emphasis from symbolic play to technical mastery during the course of their artistic development. Reviews teaching practices, educational resources, and teacher training in schools in Australia and the People's Republic of China in…

This report examines the College Discovery and Development Program, which seeks (1) to identify underachieving disadvantaged high school students with college potential, (2) to increase their academic motivation, (3) to improve their scholastic achievement, (4) to develop their acceptance of college study as a realistic expectation for themselves,…

This booklet was produced for teachers in the hope that the philosophy of multiple talents, and productive thinking will be an aid in the development of future citizens. In the introduction, Calvin W. Taylor discusses talents as the central focus in all classrooms, new tests for identifying important talents heretofore neglected, and the need of a…

Department chairs are in a position to help shape a culture where student learning is the central focus of faculty, staff, and students (Gmelch & Schuh, 2004). They hire, socialize, and evaluate faculty members' performance, guide curriculum development, and maintain the quality of academic programs. At the same time, department chairs typically…

Through a continuum-of-services approach, the Schoolwide Enrichment Model (SEM) provides numerous enrichment and acceleration alternatives designed to accommodate the academic strengths, interests, and learning styles of all middle-level students. Major components include the total-talent portfolio, curriculum modification, and enrichment…

This paper focuses on selection of students and curricular programming in gifted education. A current emphasis on selection rather than identification of able learners, including culturally diverse able learners, is noted, as are new understandings of the nature of giftedness, including: giftedness is more than high intelligence; giftedness is…