The study with 308 teachers in 3 states examined criteria preferred by teachers when recommending students for gifted programs. Overall, the criteria of creativity, learning quickly and easily, initiating own learning, and curiosity were chosen most frequently. Teachers of the gifted preferred criteria most consistent with theorists'…

A Skills Reinforcement Project for 46 sixth grade students (many of whom were Black and Hispanic) not quite qualifying for the local (Pasadena, California) gifted program provided Saturday classes and a 2-week summer residential program. Significant gains were made in mathematics (but not reading) achievement resulting in increased program…

Sixty children in grades 3 to 8 were evaluated for self-concept changes after participation in a creative enrichment, pullout program for the gifted. Results showed positive gains on 2 self-concept scales for children in grades 3 to 6 and on 1 of 2 self-concept scales for grades 7 and 8. (Author)

This article describes performance-based assessment as expounded by its proponents, comments on these conceptions, reviews evidence regarding the technical quality of performance-based assessment, and considers its validity under various policy options. (JDD)

This article argues that neither the core curriculum movement or the multicultural education movement adequately address the problem of minority groups who do not do well in public schools. Minorities whose cultural frames of reference are oppositional to the American mainstream cultural frame of reference have greater difficulty crossing cultural…

This article examines the unique organizational structure of middle schools and the historical context leading to their development. A true middle school is described as providing personalized curricula for the learning needs of diverse learners through use of problem-oriented interdisciplinary teams and flexible grouping practices. (JDD)

Performance standards are a powerful means to begin the process of systemic educational change. An educational culture must be created in which standards become the internalized goals of everyone in the system. Principles for developing internalized standards are discussed, along with appropriate government roles. (JDD)

This paper on improvement of schools calls for a broad-based coalition of collaborating parties to articulate a clear moral educational mission and to promote for each community a healthy ecology of educational institutions directed toward this mission, redefinition of schools' role in this ecology, and redesign of teacher education. (JDD)

This paper suggests methodologies and guidelines appropriate for evaluating projects in the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Program. The paper aims to help projects carry out their evaluations, assist the Javits staff in determining the success of the evaluations, and aid in long-range program planning. (JDD)

This article discusses the history of the idea that "genius is akin to madness" and notes that studies of distinguished individuals suggest that mental instability is incompatible with the prolonged and goal-directed effort required for high achievement. The issue of emotional stability is examined from the perspective of childhood giftedness as a…

Questionnaires were completed by 100 parents of kindergarten-age children whom the parents thought to be mathematically precocious. Five factors were found to characterize responses: (1) general intellectual factor; (2) short- and long-term memory; (3) rote memory; (4) spatial reasoning; and (5) specific relational knowledge. Parents were able to…

This study assessed the social adjustment of female early college entrants using standard measures of adjustment and two comparison groups (traditional college students and boarding school students). Early entrants evidenced higher social conformity and solitary activity than boarding students. They evidenced social adjustment similar to college…

Observations of interactions of mixed-ability groups revealed three persistent challenges (inclusiveness, enacting the ideal, and monitoring growth) in which gifted students can develop and exercise leadership skills. Specific student strategies are proposed for each challenge. The role of teachers in developing leadership skills of gifted…

An action research approach was used to evaluate a nontraditional gifted identification technique for disadvantaged students. Fourth-grade students selected by a whole classroom "tryout" technique participated in the Future Problem Solving component of the talented and gifted curriculum with students selected by traditional means. Analysis showed…

An interview with the legal activist, Janet Benshoof, focuses on her current activities (litigation and education about reproductive law), the development of her interest in women's rights and the law, her experience as a female law student at Harvard, her early education, her thoughts about special programs and rural education, and implications…