This manual for Idaho school districts covers the identification, assessment, and educational needs of students who show intellectual promise, specific academic performance, leadership, creativity, or talent in the visual or performing arts. It is organized into seven chapters and seven appendices which take up approximately half the publication. The seven chapters are: (1) Best Practices; (2) Talent Areas; (3) Identification; (4) Instrumentation; (5) Programming; (6) Teacher Qualifications; and (7) Evaluation. The manual addresses the needs of underserved students who are gifted, including rural residents, underachievers, the economically disadvantaged, disabled, or culturally diverse. The state definition of gifted/talented, teacher competencies, and principles for curriculum differentiation are presented. Methods to evaluate the range of student abilities and talents are addressed. Charts of formal and informal student evaluation instruments detail the school level addressed, type of ability/talent, content areas, and mode of test administration. Testing approaches are identified for students with severe physical impairments, visual impairments, hearing impairments, learning disabilities, underachievement, and extreme giftedness. Program options for serving gifted students are noted, along with teacher training and program evaluation guidelines. The appendices include: teacher and parent rating scales, checklists, other identification instruments, interview questions, evaluation criteria for student portfolios, and forms for numerous administrative uses. Also included are a glossary and information on resource materials and organizations. (Contains 126 references.) (SW)