This article focuses on the underrepresentation of African American males in gifted and talented programs, and offers a number of key recommendations to practitioners and researchers who seek viable strategies to circumvent this problem. Beyond the focus on underrepresentation, several additional topics for discussion are excogitated to provide a…

Examines criticisms in gifted education from the perspective of a teacher of the gifted. Critical concerns about identification of gifted students and special programming to meet their needs are discussed as they affect classroom instruction. (Author/DB)

Discusses the tutorial process in problem-based learning (PBL) and how it can be used to cultivate higher order thinking skills. Considers the role of the problem, collaboration among peers, the facilitator role, and the importance of student reflection. PBL principles are applied to instruction of gifted students. (DB)

This article urges educators of the gifted to look critically at both contributions of their field (for example, recognition of individual differences, stress on process and metacognitive skills, and commitment to high standards) and weaknesses (for example, narrowness of definition and identification, lack of program evaluation, and poor…

The article presents a conceptual model to be utilized in conducting the necessary needs assessment activities to implement a successful gifted program at the school district or state agency level. (Author/DLS)

The article, directed primarily at creative writing teachers of gifted students grades 3 through 12, explores the use of the personal journal as a means for capturing creative visual images and describing those images through the written word. (Author/DLS)

The author describes mathematics activities for gifted children which make use of the geoboard and balance. The problem, solutions, and theoretical backing are provided for determining areas of squares, areas of irregular shapes, the weight of popped and unpopped popcorn, kernels, and liquid mass and density. (SBH)

The article describes the components of individualized education programs for gifted students and reviews some considerations prerequisite to their development. (Author/DLS)

The article discusses the rationale for adopting a seemingly unrelated vehicle, such as cooking, for teaching gifted and other children such diverse subjects as geography, history, and language, and relates this to the concept of synectics (which holds that all subjects are interrelated). (Author/DLS)

The article presents techniques for teaching gifted children with the clumsy child syndrome. (Author/SBH)

Standards fall into seven categories: admission and selection criteria, curriculum and competency areas, degree programs, faculty for graduate programs, administrative structure--staffing, administrative structure--evaluation, and resources and facilities. (DB)

Past practices dealing with parents of gifted students are briefly reviewed, and suggestions are given for opening avenues of communication between administrators and teachers and parents. Advocated is the utilization of a booklet or packet of informational materials, a parent newsletter, a parent awareness meeting, and parent-teacher conferences.…

The article presents guidelines for a preservice internship in the field of gifted education. A hypothetical timeline displays the scope and sequence of a comprehensive internship program. Rationale is given for the four basic program components: surveying local programs, matching intern placements, supervising interns, and providing an internship…

A long-range program of staff development must be an integral part of any process of program development and maintenance. (Author/PHR)

The model involves the following five steps: (1) brainstorm the problems; (2) evaluate the brainstorm list and select the most important one; (3) brainstorm solutions to the problem; (4) create a synthesis of 3; and (5) develop a plan to implement 4. (PHR)