This handbook was developed to assist Oregon parents in understanding the needs of gifted children and the important role parents have in their public school education. Information presented is in response to needs identified by Oregon parents. The handbook begins with an article by Gary Eisler titled "Playing TAG with Oregon's Future," which describes efforts to provide challenging experiences for Oregon's gifted students to keep them interested in school. The handbook also describes: (1) national and state laws for education of talented and gifted students; (2) administrative rules adopted to implement the laws; (3) characteristics of intellectually gifted children in terms of behavior, learning, creativity, and motivation; (4) procedures used in identifying Oregon gifted children and testing instruments commonly used; (5) models for school programs and services; (6) guidelines for what parents can do at home to facilitate learning; and (7) parents' role in the school/home partnership. Appendices contain the text of relevant sections of the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act of 1988, a description of a federal grant to improve talented/gifted education in Oregon, a six-item bibliography, and a list of 16 recommended readings. (JDD)