Children who live in poverty are frequently at risk for underachievement. This is not to say that poverty automatically causes lack of achievement, but being poor can certainly take its toll. Gifted low income students can be compared to diamonds, which can only be formed under conditions of extreme heat and pressure. Both diamonds and…

Whether individuals like it or not, they have witnessed and will continue to witness a drastic increase in the number of culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students in schools. This increase is not being mirrored in gifted education. Why do gifted programs remain so stubbornly void of diversity? The author believes that attitudes in the…

Educators, policy makers, and civic leaders are baffled and frustrated over the stubborn achievement gaps that exist between white students and students of color. On a consistent basis, African American students do not fair as well as white students on school-related measures such as proficiency examinations and standardized tests (e.g.,…

This article discusses how the broadening of the federal definition of giftedness will possibly increase the number of students identified as gifted. Far from dumbing down the definition, this article argues the new definition will allow many minority children to be identified and served as gifted students. (Contains 8 references.) (CR)

After reviewing the needs of culturally diverse gifted students, the following recommendations are made: seek gifted programs that meet the dual needs of students who are gifted and diverse; encourage the hiring of culturally diverse teachers; expose children to diverse gifted mentors, and encourage school personnel to use multicultural materials.…