Part of a set of 10 booklets on talented and gifted education, the booklet discusses the identification of talented and gifted students. A definition of talented and gifted students is offered, and its implications for school programs considered. State of Oregon guidelines for talented and gifted programs are presented. General and specific characteristics of talented and gifted students are listed and discussed, with methods of evaluation given for the areas of general intellectual ability, specific academic aptitude, creative and productive thinking, leadership ability, and visual and performing arts. Culturally different and underachieving talented and gifted students are also discussed. The value of a systematic nondiscriminatory approach to identification is stressed. Included in the appendixes are various forms and guidelines pertaining to the identification of gifted and talented students. (DLS)