Calls to strengthen education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are underscored by employment trends and the importance of STEM innovation for the economy. The Study of Mathematically Precocious Youth (SMPY) has been tracking over 5,000 talented individuals longitudinally for 40 years, throwing light on critical questions…

Students identified by talent search programs were studied to determine whether spatial ability could uncover math-science promise. In Phase 1, interests and values of intellectually talented adolescents (617 boys, 443 girls) were compared with those of top math-science graduate students (368 men, 346 women) as a function of their standing on…

The research of psychologist and educator Leta Hollingworth (1886-1939) in the areas of psychology of women, mental retardation, and intellectual talent is summarized. Topics include the variability hypothesis of male/female differences, the seeming greater incidence of mental retardation among males, identification of the gifted, and myths about…

Arguments against the elimination of special programs for gifted students are presented. Acceleration is seen as a well-supported programing option for gifted students in a time of increasing elimination of gifted programs and increasing use of heterogeneous grouping. (DB)

The predictive validity of the mathematics subtest of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT-M) was investigated for 1,996 mathematically gifted (top 1 percent) seventh and eighth graders through academic achievements assessed over 10 years. The SAT-M appears to have predictive validity for differentiating highly able seventh and eighth graders. (SLD)

Students of high intellectual ability and their parents were tested on a battery of cognitive tests. Vernon's model of intelligence best fit results. A verbal-educational and a practical-spatial-mechanical factor explained most performance variance. Among children, age related to verbal but not spatial or mechanical abilities. (Author/RD)

This article provides research-based suggestions for developing educational options based on acceleration to meet the needs of gifted students in rural areas. Accelerative options offered by both the home school and universities in Iowa are described. (DB)

Data from a longitudinal survey of mathematically precocious 13-year olds (n=1,247) were used to test 5 factors (quality and quantity of instruction, home environment, motivation, and ability) for their ability to predict educational achievement and educational and career aspirations. Students were followed until age 23. (SM)

The long-term effects of various accelerative options were evaluated using a group of 510 students identified as highly gifted in junior high. Their academic achievements, extracurricular activities, goals and aspirations, and social and emotional adjustment were assessed after completing high school. No discernible negative effects of…

Reports a study of mathematically and verbally talented children which investigated hypotheses that (1) mathematically related fields are sex typed as male domains and (2) parents give differential encouragement to sons and daughters in math. Results indicated that neither hypothesis related to current sex differences in mathematical reasoning…

Using data on approximately 2,000 students drawn from three talent searches conducted by the Study of Mathematically Precocious Youth, this study investigated the relationship of possible sex differences in science achievement to sex differences in mathematical reasoning ability. (BS)

Indices of social and emotional adjustment were investigated in highly verbally or mathematically talented adolescents. Highly gifted students reported more internal locus of control and less popularity than the comparison students. No differences were found in self-esteem, depression, or the incidence of discipline problems. The Self Esteem…

This defense of the authors' previous report states that there is a large sex difference in mathematical reasoning ability among intellectually talented preadolescents. The authors concluded differential course taking could not account for observed sex differences among intellectually gifted students, although this may affect average ability…

Results of seventh-grade students taking Scholastic Aptitude Test indicate that, by age 13, a large sex difference in mathematical reasoning ability exists; among students scoring greater than 700, boys outnumbered girls 13 to 1. Hypothesized factors thought to influence the difference (such as course taking, attitudes) were not supported by data…

Curriculum must be adapted to match the ability and developmental stages of the academically gifted. The Study of Mathematically Precocious Youth at Johns Hopkins University determined that curriculum flexibility, not change, is the best approach. (JOW)