A naturalistic study of Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) development included an examination of parent-professional relationships. Relationship quality and control issues emerged as significant factors in parent-staff interactions. A model is presented that can be used to monitor progress in implementing family-centered approaches.…

This article reviews literature on experiences with the Individualized Education Program (IEP) and the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). It identifies IEP problems (such as poorly written objectives) and positive features (such as better teacher-family relations). The article suggests that IEP/IFSP development flaws may indicate problems…

Features of programs that successfully blended the middle school (MS) model or cooperative learning (CL) model with gifted education were assessed. Site visits were made to five MS sites and five CL sites at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Studies showed that gifted students' needs can be met within these programs, with appropriate…

This study examined the effects of a highly structured, personally tailored enrichment program for 108 students in grades 4 through 6 who were gifted and learning disabled. Results indicate that year-long participation in the program had significant positive impact on attitudes toward school, self-concept, and creative production. (Author/SW)

Frame-of-reference theory was applied to verbal and mathematics self-concept and achievement measures with 103 high school students, ages 13 through 15, who were academically able. Path analysis verified the influence of both internal ability comparisons across academic areas and external ability comparisons relative to peers in determining…

Kinetic school drawings were used to represent ideal as well as actual school experiences of 60 gifted elementary students. The drawings provided nonverbal documentation of students' perceptions of their current school experiences and indicated changes students would prefer in their schooling. (Author/SW)

A synthesis of ideas on talent development is presented, based on 10 interviews previously conducted with masters in arts and sciences. The six themes include: age at which the individual identifies with a discipline, early schooling experiences, skills and characteristics associated with great expertise, mentors, skills and characteristics…

An overview is presented on action research and practical inquiry, with attention to the initial phase of starting this approach, gathering data, analyzing the results, sharing findings, and judging the quality of action research and practical inquiry. Gifted education practitioners are encouraged to share action research findings. (SW)

Describes a three-year teacher education program created by the College of Education at Iowa State University designed to make technology an integral part of the teaching and learning environment. Discusses the program's steps and components, including the use of computer-related technology courses, field experiences, and educational computing…

Describes a cooperative program that uses low-cost communication technology and distance education to give inservice teachers access to information on teaching practices, and to provide a vehicle for improving the quality of teacher preparation and educational programs. Discusses choosing appropriate technology for distance education and…

Presents four case studies of fifth grade teachers who have implemented the Jasper Woodbury Problem Solving Series, a videodisc problem-solving curriculum, in their classrooms, and proposes a model for problem-solving instruction. Discusses curriculum and teaching styles before and after the studies. Teacher interview questions are appended. (JMV)

Examines distance education technology as a tool for teacher preparation and presents attitudinal data collected from elementary science teachers who used audio and video communication to complete distance education classes. Results suggest that teachers remained supportive toward the technology one year after completing the course. (JMV)

Gives an overview of Educational Support Systems based on commercial off-the-shelf software (ESSCOTS), and discusses the benefits of developing such educational software. Presents results of a study that revealed the learning processes of middle and high school students who used a geographical information system. (JMV)

Examined the views of both Chinese parents and Chinese teachers in Hong Kong concerning the purposes of early childhood education. Found that early childhood education in Hong Kong refers to kindergartens and nursery centers, and that this administrative division leads to community views whereby nurseries are perceived as being only child-minding…

Reports the rationale, objectives, tools, and achievements of Project Motivation, which helps disadvantaged primary school children in Delhi, India, to develop required competencies through a child-to-child approach. Middle-grade children were oriented to work with the younger children, and these older children developed a positive self-concept…