Defined competence as effectiveness in dealing with one's environment and assessed (N=27) independently living older adults. Results found higher levels of competence were associated with a more demanding environment, and engaging in more activities. Cognitive test performance was related to both competence and quality of lingiustic tasks. (JAC)

Regular education students (N=125) in grades K-3 were administered the Bender-Gestalt and Beery/Buktenica tests of visual-motor integration. Found significant differences between the mean Bender and Beery age equivalent scores at each grade level. Discusses implications for their utilization in assessing fine motor readiness development.…

Some of the preoccupations of the "mathematically gifted children" subcommittee of the Teaching Committee are outlined. The subcommittee is engaged in preparing materials for the guidance of teachers in the identification of and provision for the mathematically gifted. (Author/MK)

Two major aspects of counseling for gifted students through the junior and senior high school years and into college are (1) early identification of those students who require special educational opportunities and (2) careful matching of gifted students to alternative educational pathways. (LRA)

The McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities (MSCA) was administered to kindergarten-aged chilren to obtain General Cognitive Indices (CGI). A short form of the MSCA was developed to select six subtests that best predicted the CGI. (Author/BEF)

To identify management development needs some organizations have adopted the assessment center method, using simulations of work situations performed before and evaluated by specially trained observers (assessors). (MF)

A screening and assessment procedure has been developed in Newark, New Jersey, to identify gifted inner-city minority kindergarten students. The procedure uses the Brigance K & 1 Screen, a new Gifted Screening intelligence measure, and the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities. The procedure has increased identification of gifted students…

This study administered a cognitive battery of 9 tasks to 400 regular kindergarten children and 31 children identified as gifted. The upper 2% of the regular sample outperformed 81% of the gifted sample, with minority group students achieving most of the top scores. Results support the use of such batteries in identifying previously unidentified…

A study involving three children with impaired hearing, three typical children, and three showing intellectual advancement, found children scoring above 130 IQ at age four demonstrated significantly advanced pretend play as toddlers. Mothers of the high IQ children engaged in scaffolding behaviors involving higher stages of pretend transformation,…

This article considers whether educators, in the quest to serve the identified gifted students, have diluted the concept of giftedness so much that the needs of truly gifted children remain unmet. It explores the watering down of the concept of giftedness and discusses scientific evidence on the heritability of intelligence. (Contains references.)…

This article discusses how the broadening of the federal definition of giftedness will possibly increase the number of students identified as gifted. Far from dumbing down the definition, this article argues the new definition will allow many minority children to be identified and served as gifted students. (Contains 8 references.) (CR)

This article compares the characteristics of high achievers, gifted learners, and creative thinkers. It discusses the complexity of gifted student's thinking and the wild ideas of the creative thinker. A chart that lists the different characteristics and cartoons depicting the three different mindsets of the students are provided. (Contains 1…

In this interview with Dr. Mary Frasier, the creator of the Frasier Talent Assessment Profile, her passion for discovering and helping develop the talents of children from diverse cultural backgrounds and atypical gifted children is discussed. The need for continued research on the signs of potential abilities in children is stressed. (Contains 2…

This article discusses social giftedness and its characteristics. Social giftedness is defined as the exceptional capacity to form mature, productive relationships and develop effective social interactions with peers and others. Special abilities include understanding, empathy, tolerance, and justice. A study using the Delphi technique to identify…

This reprint of a 1978 article considers identification of the academically gifted, common learning characteristics of the academically gifted, and meeting the needs of the academically gifted in the regular classroom. It urges enrichment of regular classroom programs for the benefit of all students. (Contains references.) (DB)