This document consists of the first two issues of a newsletter designed to disseminate information about the National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented, to serve as a forum for the research activities of scholars and practitioners in the field, and to reach other interested professional and parent groups. The first issue (which is also the premier issue of the newsletter) highlights the overall organization and mission of the Center. It summarizes research in progress and describes a needs assessment study designed to identify research needs, prioritize them, and develop a list of recommendations. The study resulted in a list of 21 research recommendations on topics including regular classroom practices for gifted students, regular curriculum modification, giftedness in economically disadvantaged and limited English proficient students, ability identification, program evaluation, and theory. The issue also identifies the Center's Collaborative School Districts, defined as those districts across the United States where the Center's research projects will be carried out. Research summaries are provided on the talented and gifted in rural Alaska, gifted education in the world community, scientific hypothesis forming ability of gifted ninth graders, early reading as predictive of giftedness, a longitudinal study of a pullout enrichment program, early assessment, cultural diversity and second language learning, and a statewide (Indiana) model bridging research, theory, and practice. The November issue reports on a learning outcomes project and describes year 2 research into successful classroom practices, gifted students with learning disabilities, cooperative learning, assessing giftedness in economically disadvantaged students, and motivation and underachievement. Other summaries examine grouping practices, five specific Javits Gifted and Talented Education programs, stage and structure in child development, home environments, social development, and gifted teachers. Commentaries address creativity and young gifted children. (DB)