Gifted classes were shown to have a broader scope of cognitive emphasis, to emphasize higher thought processes, have more opportunity for discussion, less teacher domination, and more enthusiastic students. (Author)

The article examines several issues regarding the education of gifted and talented students, by answering letters sent in by readers of the journal. Issues examined include private v public schools, teacher resentment of gifted children, coping with being "different," special classes, and enrichment programs. (DLS)

Analysis of essays comparing experiences in gifted and regular classes written by sixth grade gifted students found that many students felt teachers and peers outside the gifted class had unfair expectations of them. Other topics addressed by students included grading, group work, lack of acknowledgement for effort, treatment by peers, and teacher…

Followup of 129 students who had been in an early childhood program for gifted students was carried out via analysis of achievement test data in vocabulary, reading, comprehension, total reading, and total mathematics. Data were obtained for three groups of students exposed to varying periods of time in the program. Findings indicated that…

No main effects of special class placement were observed in 43 gifted students (grades six through eight) compared to 38 gifted students in regular classes in terms of cognitive processes, quality of school life, intellectual achievement, self concept, and activity. (CL)

A study investigated the academic and social development of 25 Canadian gifted students (ages 12-14) in a congregated class at a Catholic high school. Results found the students enjoyed being educated with their gifted peers and valued the competition. The effects of the class on the students' self-esteem are also discussed. (Author/CR)

This book critically examines gifted education in America as a demonstration of meritocracy and elitism in education. It is contended that, by creating and funding gifted programs, schools engage in a form of "educational triage", providing high quality education to an elite minority. The book addresses questions concerning the…

A case study investigated the effectiveness of a new self-contained classroom with curriculum that was differentiated for 24 highly intellectually gifted fourth-and fifth-grade students. Results indicate the self-contained classroom provided a challenging learning environment for the students, but students' response to this more challenging…

A survey of 50 students (grades 4-11) returning to a gifted summer program provided several suggestions for regular schools. Suggestions included curriculum-related field trips, serving individual student interests, use of college campus facilities, flexible school policies and teacher planning, hands-on science and technology, and opportunities…

Students, peers, teachers, principals, and parents (total N=180) responded to a questionnaire concerning a pullout program for gifted students in Israel. The questionnaire focused on the identification of the gifted, the level of parent involvement, teaching styles in the program, problems related to separation from home schools, relationships…

An elementary-school self-contained gifted class was compared to a control group on a general test of cognitive ability. Program participants exhibited significantly higher gains than did controls, and at the end of the program, participants also rated the quality of their school life more highly than did controls. (Author/JDD)

Students in a self-contained gifted and talented fifth grade evaluated three major learning activities of the Full Option Science System (FOSS). Students rated the activities very positively and felt the activities had given them greater confidence to work in groups, to be creative, and to strive to accomplish hard tasks as well as developing…

The cumulative impact of self contained class placement for 43 gifted students (grades 6 through 8) was assessed and compared to that of 38 gifted students in regular age-grade placement. Ss were compared across multiple goal domains relevant to gifted education (higher order cognitive skills, personal autonomy and responsibility for learning,…

Developed to assess congruence of intent and practice (the teacher's ideal and students' perceived real) in instruction of the gifted in the Illinois program, the Class Activities Questionnaire (CAQ) includes 25 forced choice items evaluating cognitive emphasis, classroom conditions, and student attitudes and reactions. Cognitive items were shown…

This study examined social and personal concomitants of exceptional academic capability, specifically self-concept, peer acceptance, and attitude toward school, in the context of integrated or self-contained classrooms. The sample consisted of 354 gifted Ontario students from Grades 5, 8, and 10 (150 in self-contained classrooms and 204 in…