The text concerns social, psychological, and educational aspects of providing for the gifted from early age until the college level. It is explained that the emphasis of the book is on programmatic aspects of facilitating school learning by the gifted, and that it is illustrated with episodes from the author's experiences during 40 years of working with the gifted. Chapters cover the following topics (with sample subtopics in parentheses): the gifted as an area of concern (the retarded bright children); definition of the gifted (the task of the psychologist); social considerations (social need for the gifted); psychological considerations (characteristics of the gifted); philosophical considerations (a philosophy of education); specific philosophical impingements (teaching methods); educational considerations (background and developmental factors); administrative consioerations (costs, early admission); instructional considerations (acceleration and enrichment); rural and compensatory aspects (the gifted in rural areas); research (research on education of the gifted); and a summary. Also included are a list of 24 topics for consideration and two case histories. (LS)