Despite being unable to dress himself, sit still on a chair, or write a legible sentence, Scott was, from a very early age, able to build whole cities from construction blocks, able to complete complex puzzles, and verbally precocious. Even with his disabilities and their contrast with his academic talent, he completed K-12 school and went on to…

In this study, life satisfaction and its correlates were explored through analysis of the experiences and psychological traits of highly gifted students who were accelerated into an early college-entrance program. Happiness, fulfillment in life, assuredness, and good dispositions are constructs that point toward positive character development and…

Mentoring is widely advocated as an educational experience for academically talented students because mentors may provide stimulation for academic growth and serve as positive role models for students in areas of career interest. This study examined the experiences of 72 talented teenagers attending a university-based summer mentorship program.…

Through qualitative interviews, the authors examined the experiences of six gifted high-achieving university students to understand the factors that allowed the students to continue on their paths to success. The participants in this study revealed a number of issues that were central to their motivation upon arriving at the university. These…

This article explores the concept of resilience as it relates to gifted children, particularly gifted black children, and identifies barriers to resilience. Recommendations for fostering resilience in these students are offered, including improve family-school-community relations, enhance self-concept, and improve social and emotional relations.…

The introduction to this journal issue on gender equity and the special needs of gifted males examines the role of choice for gifted young people and the significant adults in their lives noting factors that affect choice, social and emotional well-being, achievement and career choice, and breaking free of past patterns. (DB)

Briefly describes an ecology course for gifted high school students which focuses on human relationships to the environment and encourages student questioning. (DB)

American schools often fail to provide opportunities for students at the highest levels of ability to test their ceilings of performance in a given talent area. Gifted education provides an essential voice addressing the importance of recognizing and developing "apex talent" and genuine "excellence" in American education.…

This introduction to a special section of articles on talent development in gifted education presents the Purdue Pyramid, a model of talent development with acceptance as a human being on the base, a variety of educational experiences ascending the pyramid, and self-understanding and commitment to self-development at the top. (DB)

This article draws together findings of two studies: the first a study of secondary students identified as having high potential and the second a study on encouraging reflective practice and action research with talented students. Analysis and sample case studies illustrate the centrality of the teacher in forming students' attitudes to school and…

As part of the first phase of a longitudinal study, interviews were conducted with nine high school seniors who had demonstrated high creative productivity while participating in an elementary Talented and Gifted program. Commonly experienced were a desire for creative outlets in high school, difficult junior high years, and constancy of…

An epistemological questionnaire assessing students' beliefs in fixed ability to learn, simple knowledge, quick learning, and certain knowledge was administered to 288 high school students (of which 72 were gifted). Differences were found between gifted and nongifted students at the end of high school and between males and females. (Author/DB)

This study evaluated a Chattanooga, Tennessee, leadership training program provided to 30 grade 10-11 students who demonstrated high leadership potential. Program results indicated positive changes in student openness, persuasiveness, ascendance, individual decision making, and self-assurance. A three-month followup found lasting effects, with…

This discussion of underachievement in gifted high school males notes the high incidence of male underachievers and the common co-occurrence of poor social skills. Also considered are the beginnings of underachievement, the importance of the peer group in adolescent development, the importance of social skill development, and the prevention of…

Seven responses to a U.S. Department of Education report assessing programs and services for talented and gifted children are presented by Charles F. Desmond, James R. Delisle, Gail E. Hanninen, Anthony Miserandino, Stephanie Tolan, John F. Feldhusen, and James J. Gallagher. (JDD)