Although experts in gifted education widely promote cluster grouping gifted students, little empirical evidence is available to attest to its effectiveness. This study is an example of comparative action research in the form of a quantitative case study that focused on the mandated cluster grouping practices for gifted students in an urban…

Critical thinking is important for lessons in classes for gifted and talented students. Since definitions of critical thinking are plentiful and varied, teachers must decide what behaviors are most productive in the classroom. One viable method to promote critical thinking through productive discussion is the Dixon-Hegelian method. This paper…

Fifteen gifted students (grades 1-6) in a magnet school participated in phenomenological interviews. The students described the social milieu of the school as the backdrop for the meaning of the experience of attending the school. Four themes emerged across magnet school experiences, others, role, personal development, and time. (Contains…

In this study, 425 academically talented students completed questions assessing achievement goals and beliefs about intelligence. Students ranged widely in learning goals that focus on understanding material and performance goals that focus on doing better than others. As learning goals became stronger, so did beliefs that intelligence could…

A study examined gender differences for 5,544 gifted students (grades 4-5). On an off-level achievement test, males outperformed females in mathematics beginning in grade 3. Both groups had a preference for mathematics over other subjects. Students' perceptions of academic strengths corresponded to their performance on the off-level test.…

Two studies of gifted 3rd through 7th graders (n=311) enrolled in a summer academic program explored the possibility that social coping strategies could be measured. Six social coping strategies were identified: denying giftedness; minimizing focus on popularity; social interaction; humor; conformity; and denying the impact of giftedness on peer…

Twelve teachers of the gifted who serve elementary English learners participated in focus groups designed to glean practitioner knowledge concerning effective approaches. Participating teachers characterized gifted English learners as enthusiastic, high-level thinkers. They recommended strategies consistent with identified needs and with the…

A study investigated the efficacy of specific interventions (mentoring, parental involvement, and multicultural curricula) on academic achievement of 273 elementary students from low-socioeconomic environments. The interventions had no statistically significant effect on student achievement in any grade. However, by the end of the program,…

A study involving three boys (ages 8-10) with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) and giftedness and six comparison boys with only 1 of the 2 exceptionalities, found that participants with co-occurring giftedness and AD/HD had difficulties regulating their emotions, problems with peer relationships, and stressed families. (Contains…

In this case study, an 8-year-old, verbally gifted, struggling reader's difficult experiences at home and school are discussed, as well as the responses to the paradox of his being highly verbal yet failing at reading. Research findings on verbal giftedness and underachievement are presented. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

This study evaluated the William and Mary curriculum units in science and language arts for high ability learners after 3 years of implementation in several suburban elementary and middle schools. Findings suggested that the curriculum was viewed positively by relevant groups, that the innovation had been integrated into district policies, and…

This study examined gender differences in attitudes toward academic subjects in 2,089 gifted students in grades 3 through 6. Observed gender differences were consistent with those found in research with older students. Grade level differences suggest that attitudes toward several academic areas become more negative with age. Attitudes were not…

The lives of six gifted, male undergraduates were examined to understand how their life experiences influenced their decision to pursue elementary education as a career. Results found they had a strong belief in self, which was influenced by formative experiences with difficult issues, exposure to male teachers, and open-minded parents. (Contains…

A study involving 257 Navajo and Mexican-American elementary students investigated the internal structure of the DISCOVER assessment, a performance-based assessment grounded in Gardner's theory of multiple intelligence. Results showed low interrating correlations among the five assessment activities, indicating students gifted in one intelligence…

This case study chronicles a 4th grade teacher's experiences in facilitating a program involving 18 university students as mentors for six gifted students. Major findings indicate a thoughtfully designed program resulting in partnerships that provided the high-ability students with an intellectually stimulating experience combined with strong…