Intended to help educators create defensible, differentiated programs for the gifted, the paper analyzes the rationale for such programs and discusses program planning aspects. The following topics are addressed: the need for conceptualization of different programs for the gifted; suggested program goals; program prototypes; curricula for gifted programs; learning strategy instruction; theoretical models for developing curriculum and teaching strategies; integration of the models; program design models; enrichment and acceleration; topics for curriculum augmentation; career education; goals for language arts and communication skills, social studies, mathematics, and science; desirable program attributes; teacher role; significant teacher behaviors; motivation and guidance; administrative arrangements; administrative problems and suggested solutions; and research data on the gifted. (CL)