Following on the heels of charter schools, virtual high schools have gradually become more common. Typically, they are technology-driven magnet schools with competitive admission. Many are free and actively recruit traditionally underserved students. Parents of highly gifted children often cobble together academic solutions--a college class here,…

The Education Program for Gifted Youth (EPGY) Online High School (OHS) is a three-year, diploma granting, online independent high school for gifted students. The mission statement reads as follows: "Through advanced technology, rigorous courses, and the resources of Stanford University, the Online High School affords gifted students everywhere an…

Technology is an essential part of young people's lives. Students today are digital natives who cannot remember a time without electronic media and technologies. Children who use the Internet spend 37 percent less time watching television and 16 percent more time with friends and family. The Internet is an excellent resource for differentiating…

A multicultural curriculum affirms and includes all people regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, language, religion, physical ability, or mental ability. The goal is to reduce prejudice and bias by discussing these issues. The Bloom/Banks curriculum framework was developed as a model for creating multicultural gifted…

Gifted students are often underserved because they do not have access to highly challenging curriculum. In October, 2002, Project LOGgED ON (www.scrolldown.com/loggedon/) at University of Virginia received federal funding from the Jacob Javits Act to tackle this issue. Those who were part of the LOGgED ON project developed advanced science…

With the evolution of technology, students can now take online classes that may not be offered in their home schools. While online courses are commonly found in many high schools, WebQuests are used more commonly in elementary schools. Through the exploration of WebQuests, students are able to integrate the Internet into classroom activities. The…

Challenging problems can make mathematics more attractive to all learners, including the gifted. Application problems that one still finds in regular textbooks often can be resolved by applying a single mathematical concept, operation, or formula. These problems do not require a higher order of thinking. They are, therefore, less cognitively and…

The field of gifted education has done an admirable job of raising awareness about underrepresentation and unique needs of gifted students from culturally and linguistically diverse populations. The efforts of the National Association for Gifted Children to reach out to teachers through the "Javits-Frasier Teacher Scholarship for Diverse Talent…

Preparing the next generation of global citizens is a daunting challenge. Leaders across the nation agree that young people today need to become lifelong learners with specific competencies to identify and solve problems, utilize resources wisely, organize and manage information systems, communicate effectively in several languages, generate new…

Giftedness is like a rose that grows tall and beautiful above all other flowers. If it is properly nourished and provided fertile opportunity, there appears to be no limit to accomplishment. Gifted children are born into and nurtured by all races, cultures, and socioeconomic classes. However, many groups and individuals, particularly those who…

Much has been written about the poor representation of culturally diverse students in gifted education, centering on factors such as identification criteria, referral practices, student interests, and parental concerns. Culturally diverse learners--especially those who are gifted--are often left out of programs that may ultimately contribute to…

Can school be structured so that all students are held to high expectations? Can curriculum be designed to find and nurture students with gifted potential from underrepresented populations? Can basic skills be strengthened so that such students can interact, compete, and work with other gifted learners? Young Scholars (YS) is a K-8 model that…

The lack of identified culturally diverse and low socioeconomic status (SES) students has been a problem in the field of gifted education. However, promising practices, as well as support of program coordinators, counselors, and parents, have recently helped to increase representation. Educators and parents may wonder where to begin to help…

Resilience allows one to achieve emotional health and social competence in spite of a history of adversity. There are three waves of resilience research. The first wave, 40 years ago, examined risk factors in children. The second wave of research asked the question, what do resilient children look like? These studies concluded that while there is…

In this article, the author reflects upon her experiences when she was still a student. She recalls how she questioned why teachers were not accountable when they "crossed the line" (like coming to class late), while students were corrected or punished. She felt powerless. She did not reflect upon her high school educational experience until her…