Using structured equation modeling techniques, this study examined factor structure differences in academic self-perceptions of 210 gifted high school students and a general population student group. Although there were large mean differences between gifted students and the general population students on the academic self-perceptions scale, the…

This study examined use of Sternberg and Zhang's (1995) pentagonal implicit theory of giftedness by 189 preservice teachers in China. In making judgments about giftedness, study participants considered three of the models' five criteria: excellence, productivity, and value (but not rarity and demonstrability). Results are compared to similar…

Analysis of scores of 391 gifted students (grades 6-8) on the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale found females expressed more concern than males about organization, while males reported stronger parental expectations. First born children reported higher parental criticism and expectations than youngest children. Females' concerns about making…

This study evaluated the content, concurrent, and construct validity of the Leadership Skills Inventory (LSI), a measure designed to help students analyze the strength of their leadership skills. Results indicated satisfactory content, concurrent, and construct validity, although factor analysis revealed that the LSI contained only one factor, not…

A process model for guiding explicit, systematic, and observable reflections on the state of gifted education is suggested, based on Ann Kerwin's Map of Ignorance. Use of the model is recommended for determining what is known and what is unknown in order to develop an agenda for future research and clarify practice and theory. (Author/PB)

Noting discrepancies between findings in the research literature on the social competence of gifted children and educators' subjective experience of students' social problems, this article examines five alternative hypotheses which may account for these discrepancies. Five areas of change are suggested to improve research on the social competence…

Thirty gifted education teachers were compared with 46 regular education teachers using the Teacher Perceiver Interview. Gifted teachers differed from regular teachers on six characteristics (Focus, Gestalt, Innovation, Mission, Rapport Drive, and Investment) but did not differ on two commonly cited characteristics of gifted teachers:…

Teaching style preferences of 157 teachers of gifted students were correlated with percent of time spent in teaching gifted children, years of teaching experience, and teaching level. Of the styles identified (Sensing-Thinking, Sensing-Feeling, Intuitive-Thinking, and Intuitive-Feeling), more experienced teachers revealed a preference for the…

Issues and problems which warrant further research in the field of gifted education are addressed, focusing on research on curriculum issues, giftedness identification, components of general education important to gifted learners, acceleration and enrichment, affective needs, underachievement, disadvantaged gifted students, and equity and…

This assessment of the usefulness of the "Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Revised" and the "Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Edition" for gifted children found that both are technically superior instruments with sensitive items, exceptional standardization, strong construct validity, and sufficiently high…

This article summarizes Renzulli's Revolving Door Identification Model, an approach to the identification of gifted and talented students. It then investigates reasons for its popularity, addresses criticisms leveled against the model, and assesses its validity and utility for identifying and serving gifted students. (Author/JDD)

A culture-specific approach to identifying artistic talent in African-American students is presented, called Tactuality. Tactuality identifies four characteristics: emotional intensity, flexibility and open-endedness, holistic perception, and tactile sensitivity. A pilot test with 63 fourth graders resulted in statistical problems with validation.…

This study examined the scores obtained by 21 elementary-level gifted students on 4 different intellectual measures--Stanford-Binet (LM), Stanford-Binet (Fourth Edition), Otis-Lennon School Abilities Test, and the Cognitive Abilities Test. Results showed that the population of gifted students identified will vary greatly depending upon which test…

This article examines theoretical views of perfectionism, some of the instruments currently available to measure perfectionism, and empirical evidence surrounding perfectionism in both the general and gifted populations. Areas of needed research are addressed, with particular emphasis given to the multidimensional nature of the construct of…

Two alternative means of assessing overexcitability were examined: questionnaires and interviews. Administration of both forms to 46 gifted adolescents and preadolescents obtained similar results for 4 of 5 forms of overexcitability, but correlations between questionnaire and interview scores were too low to consider the methods equivalent for…