School counselors work individually and with other educators to meet the developmental needs of all students, including those with special needs or disabilities. In this article, the results of qualitative research are summarized involving comparative case studies of university students who were both academically talented and learning disabled.…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the scaling up of the Schoolwide Enrichment Model in Reading (SEM-R) in 11 elementary and middle schools in geographically diverse sites across the country. Qualitative comparative analysis was used in this study, with multiple data sources compiled into 11 in-depth school case studies…

This book provides a detailed guide to implementing the Schoolwide Enrichment Model (SEM), a research-supported model originating in special programs for gifted and talented students but not extended to school improvement across the full range of school types, levels, and demographic differences. Individual chapters address the following topics:…

The Schoolwide Enrichment Model, originally designed for academically gifted students, is currently used to develop the gifts and talents of a much wider pool of students. One SEM component, the Total Talent Portfolio, focuses attention on student interests and learning-style preferences. This article explains how SEM, combined with curriculum…

Specific teaching strategies for helping talented girls in mathematics are discussed. These include: creating a supportive learning environment; providing single-sex learning opportunities in mathematics and appealing to the strengths of females as motivators; using activities that are relevant to girls; creating a challenging curriculum; and…

This article describes the Schoolwide Enrichment Model (SEM) and examines the relationship between gifted programs and total school improvement using the SEM. Goals of SEM include a school SEM specialist, a strong research base, a broadened conception of human potential, and educational experiences grounded in a high-end theory of learning.…

This article reviews and analyzes three decades of research on the underachievement of gifted students in an attempt to clarify the present state of research. The problems inherent in defining and identifying underachieving gifted students are given special attention. Suggestions for future research are included. (Contains extensive references.)…

A study investigated how 11 successful high school female students described the impact of competition on their academic and social lives. Competition was viewed by participants as a negative behavior. When faced with situations of competition, students preferred to concentrate on prosocial behaviors that promoted interpersonal relationships.…

This article reviews research regarding gifted students with disabilities who underachieve. Educators are urged to determine whether underachievement stems from more serious physical, cognitive, or emotional issues, a mismatch between the student and environment, or a personal characteristic, and develop intervention strategies specifically…

This article reviews the use of video therapy as a strategy to address social and emotional needs of gifted children and suggests sources and activities. A list of films is included that address behavior problems, disability, African American issues, social/emotional issues, gifted females, performing arts, and the process of talent development.…

Studied high-ability, high-achieving students in an urban high school over 3 years. Identifies factors that enabled these students to achieve, including belief in self, supportive adults, high-achieving peers, challenging classes, personal characteristics, and family support. (SLD)

A recent summary of research produced by a task force of psychologists and educational researchers associated with the National Association for Gifted Children and the National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented indicated that high-ability students are generally at least as well adjusted as any other group of youngsters. This research also…

Using the first 4 waves of data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten cohort (ECLS-K), this piecewise 3-level (time-student-school) growth-curve model provides a portrait of students' reading growth over the first 2 years of school. On average, students make much greater reading gains in 1st grade than they do in kindergarten.…

Describes application of Renzulli's School Enrichment Model in one Connecticut elementary school. The program uses enrichment clusters in which nongraded groups of students come together to pursue common interests during designated time blocks. Program development and implementation, cluster sharing, teacher reactions, and parent/student reactions…

This article summarizes findings from a 3-year study of 35 economically disadvantaged, ethnically diverse, academically talented high school students who either achieved or underachieved in their urban high school. In particular, the resilience of these two groups of high ability students is explored. Comparative case study and ethnographic…