Responds to the initial article in this issue that proposes a set of 22 statements on the nature and origin of human abilities, gifts, and talents. Argues that a comprehensive rationale is missing, particularly an explanation of developmental mechanisms, of learning processes, and of the dynamics of gene/environment interaction. (Author/CR)

This rejoinder to articles responding to a set of 22 sequentially structured statements on the nature and origin of human abilities, gifts, and talents presented in this issue's initial article, defends the validity and usefulness of the distinction between high natural abilities (gifts) and high systematically developed ones (talents) as compared…

States and then rebuts the major criticisms of special education for gifted students. These include the idea that education of the gifted is elitist and that testing for gifted identification is prejudicial. Discusses contemporary movements in the sciences, arts, and letters that often discourage the development of excellence. (Author/DB)

Discusses gifted identification and the potentially harmful effects of labeling a child "gifted" and making premature assumptions. Parents are urged to allow children to develop their gifts unencumbered by expectations and observe, watch, listen, prompt, affirm, and enjoy as the child engages with the world. (CR)

Discusses the social and emotional problems of unrecognized gifted children whose talents exist in domains distinct from the intellectual, academic, and athletic realms. Two case studies are presented of two gifted elementary students, along with interventions for enhancing effective growth among such students. (CR)

This article presents an analysis of patterns of giftedness based on the triarchic theory of intelligence. The analysis distinguishes among seven different patterns of giftedness and includes: the Analyzer, the Creator, the Practitioner, the Analytical Creator, the Analytical Practitioners, the Creative Practitioner, and the Consummate Balancer.…

Describes the creativity classification system, a taxonomy of creativity that integrates nine dimensions of creative activity (contact, conscience, interest, fantasy, incubation, creative contact, inspiration, production, and verification). The system is used to categorize measures of creativity to help practitioners apply test results to a…

Reviews information that teachers can impart to parents to assist them in parenting gifted children. Subjects addressed include characteristics of gifted learners, the need for early identification, school options, advocacy, myths about gifted students, the charge of elitism, the need to organize parent associations, burnout, and resources. (CR)

This article presents examples of gifted children who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and discusses the difficulties in identifying these students. Characteristics of gifted students who have ADHD are listed, the link between creativity and ADHD is examined, and strategies for parents and educators are provided. (Contains…

This article describes an enrichment cluster approach designed to create highly challenging learning opportunities that allow high potential students to identify themselves. The enrichment clusters focus students' attention on authentic learning applied to real-life problems. Guidelines for enrichment clusters are discussed, along with the teacher…

This interview with Howard Spicker discusses his early leadership in the Head Start programs of the mid-1960s, his establishment of the Indiana University College for Gifted and Talented Youth, and his development of alternative procedures, instrumentation, and programs for gifted students from special populations. His work on Project SPRING is…

This article explores what the concept of intellectual character offers that traditional views of intelligence based on abilities do not. The origins of the concept of thinking dispositions are traced and various views regarding the dispositions that might comprise and define one's intellectual character are investigated. Educational implications…

This article discusses using the Cognitive Assessment System based on the PASS theory, which centers on Planning, Attention, Simultaneous, and Successive cognitive processes, for identifying gifted children. It is argued that this more extensive and inclusive measure of intelligences could identify gifted children who would not traditionally be…

This article describes a university program in China for teenage students highly gifted in science. It reports on the program's initiation, improvement, and expansion to 12 additional universities. Also covered are methods employed in student selection, the curriculum, program administration, and student development. (Author/DB)

This study examined possible differences between teacher ratings of Anglo-American and Hispanic students based on the student's acculturation level in the context of using behavior rating scales to identify students for gifted education programs. Findings indicated significant differences between teacher ratings of Anglo-American and Hispanic…