The gifted remain an often misunderstood and underserved population. In this interview, Dr. Pfeiffer discusses these concerns and provides practitioners with timely information on who exactly the gifted are and the various ways in which they are unique. In this reflective conversation, Dr. Pfeiffer, a noted authority on gifted and talented…

This article discusses the development of World Class Tests in England that enable gifted students to celebrate their achievement within an international context and to enter the World Class Arena. The Arena is being constructed as an international forum where educators and teachers can communicate on research and best practice. (CR)

Robert J. Sternberg, director of the Center for the Psychology of Abilities, Competencies, and Expertise, reviews current concerns regarding giftedness and reflects on his work. He laments the use of programs whose efficacy has not been shown and stresses the need to identify giftedness in all its forms. (CR)

This article summarizes the important ideas and research findings of DISCOVER, an on-going program of research and development concerning the problem solving abilities of children and youth. It identifies five problem types and reviews the DISCOVER assessment model, including research on its reliability and validity and the DISCOVER curriculum…

This article describes how an inner-city school used Renzulli's enrichment activities model to provide opportunities to above-average students who may not have been identified by traditional identification procedures. The program offered students opportunities to produce "real world" videos utilizing a production company who trained them in media…

This article discusses the purpose of gifted program evaluation and identifies some of the pertinent issues involved in evaluating gifted programs. The gifted program delivered by the Peel District Board of Education in Ontario, Canada, is used to illustrate key evaluation considerations, including gifted identification procedures and gifted…

This article analyzes the identification, evaluation, and education of gifted students in Spain. The lack of specific legislation normalizing the identification of and educational attention to gifted students is discussed, along with the debate over equality vs. equity, the development of identification procedures, and the need for teacher…

Describes the DISCOVER assessment process, a method designed to identify gifted learners by documenting students' problem-solving abilities in several of Gardner's multiple intelligences, including spatial, mathematical, linguistic, intrapersonal, bodily kinesthetic, and interpersonal. Examples of problems presented to students in grades six…

Three case studies illustrate problems in the identification of gifted students when tests are not used appropriately. The paper concludes that testing must occur within the context of intensive observations of and discussions with the child and family. The importance of all teachers receiving training in gifted education is stressed. (DB)

Causes of cognitive underdevelopment in Zulu children and the cognitive functions necessary for efficient school learning are outlined. To assess potential for learning and to remediate cognitive underfunctioning, 20 secondary students analyzed, organized, and reproduced a complex geometric figure. Positive effects were evident following specific…

In an Israeli community of low socioeconomic status, conventional ability measures and the Learning Potential Assessment Device (LPAD) were administered to 165 high-achieving intermediate grade students and their classmates. High-achieving students scored higher than classmates on both conventional and LPAD measures but scored higher than the norm…

The ability for high future performance in English, French, Physics, and Mathematics was examined in 13-year-old students in 11 British comprehensive schools. Among results are that most high performers on 0-level examinations were also nominated by subject teachers as high performers. (Author/MC)

Assessment via tests and examinations may be viewed as burdensome, coercive, and irrelevant by gifted students. Teachers can help students overcome negative attitudes toward assessment by: assessing students' best (as opposed to typical) efforts; involving students in planning and developing the assessment program; and providing specific,…

This article discusses the validity of using conventional psychometric tests to assess the abilities of disadvantaged pupils, justifies the use of alternative assessment procedures, emphasizes the importance of changing teacher attitudes toward the disadvantaged gifted, and suggests ways to nurture and develop the talents of disadvantaged…

Giftedness is a multi-dimensional phenomenon, and assessment should be concerned with the kinds of giftedness an individual exhibits. The Structure of Intellect (SOI) tests allow the identification of academic and creative giftedness. The SOI theory can also be used in partnership with brain research to provide a theory-based test of brain…