These two newsletters from the National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented (NRC/GT) contain the following articles: (1) "NRC/GT: Professional Development--Not an Event" (E. Jean Gubbins), discusses NRC/GT research-based principles related to professional development and the importance of ongoing professional development; (2)…

This paper reviews the literature on under-identification of minority children, especially Hispanic children, for education as gifted and talented students. It begins with definitions of terms such as "gifted and talented" and also such terms as "bias" and "culturally diverse." Some characteristics of gifted Hispanic children are then listed as…

A questionnaire administered to 305 gifted students, ages 9-17, enrolled in a summer program, examined perceptions and attitudes related to the gifted label and available educational opportunities. Analysis of responses yielded four factors: (1) acceptance of the gifted label; (2) perception of ability as incremental; (3) preference for…

Discusses the importance to science departments of processes used to track student performance and how assessment data are used. Adding value has two principal aspects. The first is quantitative, where gains in knowledge, skills, and understanding demonstrated by students are measured. The second is a cross-curricular aspect, evaluating the…

This study evaluated the reliability and validity of a battery of instruments based on Multiple Intelligences theory, including teacher checklists and performance-based assessment activities developed for the identification of talent in culturally diverse and/or low-income kindergarten and first-grade students. Acceptable reliability but…

Thirty-six educationally disadvantaged gifted fifth grade students completed a program to reinforce their academic skills in either language arts or mathematics. Compared to controls, subjects showed gains in achievement and aptitude test scores in language arts as well as mathematics and then became eligible for challenging gifted/talented…

The author of EC 604 296 explains the evolution of a pilot project to improve the basic skills and thinking ability of gifted minority children to improve their performance on standardized tests. The paper reviews the effects of the project and notes changes recommended in repeating the program. (JDD)

This theme issue of a Texas journal focuses on gifted education and culturally diverse students. "Recruiting and Retaining Diverse Students in Gifted Education" (Donna Y. Ford and J. John Harris) discusses the challenges of recruiting diverse students in gifted education and presents solutions, including using different measurements of…

This planning guide is intended to facilitate flexibility in meeting the needs of under-represented groups in Florida programs for gifted students. An introduction defines these students (racial or ethnic minorities, limited English proficient, or from a low socioeconomic background), lists the required components of a district plan for increasing…

This paper discusses the challenges of identifying gifted students from underrepresented or special populations. Reasons for underrepresentation of students from special populations are reviewed and include biases in standardized testing, underreferral of students from diverse cultural and ethnic groups to gifted programs by teachers, and the…

This study investigated the ability of preservice secondary school history and social studies teachers to transmit knowledge of the subject to students through methodologies designed to translate theory into practice. Participants in the study were 23 student teachers certified to teach history and social studies by Washburn University (Kansas)…

This book on effective curriculum for gifted students begins with an introduction that discusses gifted education's use of the special education model and implications of current educational reform. Part 1, "General Issues in the Design and Development of Appropriate Curricula for the Gifted," then explores scope and sequence in curricula for the…

This book provides theoretical and practical information to meet the challenge of individualizing instruction for gifted and talented adolescents of different learning styles and different cultural backgrounds. Part 1 consists of six chapters that present the broad theoretical background of giftedness and learning style. It includes the following…

This report on the educational needs of American gifted and talented students identifies indicators of an educational crisis, describes the current status of education for these students, and presents recommendations to meet the educational needs of these students. Indicators demonstrating the need for change include the relatively poor…

This study examines the North Carolina program for the academically gifted. Students (N=142), parents (N=83), counselors (N=70), teachers (N=71), principals (N=50) and superintendents (N=17) were surveyed. Findings report widespread interest in increased curriculum planning, academics, and science and mathematics. Many criticisms of the…