Feedback from years of nationwide use has resulted in a 3rd Edition of this unique, systematic, and objective guide to considering and implementing academic acceleration. Developed and tested by the Belin-Blank Center at the University of Iowa, the ias ensures that acceleration decisions are systematic, thoughtful, well reasoned, and defensible. The ias continues to be used in all 50 states, Australia, and Canada. Featured in the 3rd Edition are: (1) Overall refined material based on experience and research; (2) Revised list of required ability and aptitude tests; (3) Revised test list includes CogAT; (4) Clearer format to make it easier to use; (5) Clarification of item scores; and (6) Updated research on acceleration.

This new report, A Nation Empowered: Evidence Trumps the Excuses Holding Back America's Brightest Students builds on the momentum of the 2004 report, A Nation Deceived: How Schools Hold Back America's Brightest Students. A Nation Deceived initiated a critical dialogue about academic acceleration, an under-used intervention. A Nation Deceived exposed to the nation the inconsistencies between research and practice and brought acceleration to prominence in the field. Volume 1 and 2 of A Nation Empowered: Evidence Trumps the Excuses Holding Back America's Brightest Students equips students, families, and educators with facts to refute biased excuses. A Nation Empowered shifts the impetus from conversation to action. Empowerement galvanizes determination with evidence. Volume 1 portrays the determination of students, educators, and parents to strive for excellence. Volume 2 reveals the evidence that trumps the excuses that hold bright students back.

A cooperative publication of the National Association for Gifted Children and Prufrock Press, Serving Gifted Students in Rural Settings provides a framework for educating the gifted in rural settings. The book outlines practical, theoretical, and evidence-supported approaches for understanding, teaching, and leading programs for this unique population. Case study vignettes and practical ideas for administrators and teachers are combined with theoretical applications. The first of three sections in the book outlines the various philosophies and current status of rural education. The second section focuses on practical strategies and evidence-supported approaches for identifying and serving rural gifted students based on their unique geography. Section three highlights support structures that are necessary for leading and supporting gifted education in rural schools. This book helps bridge the gap existing between rural education and accessible, effective gifted education.

The second edition of Handbook for Counselors Serving Students With Gifts and Talents provides the definitive overview of research on the general knowledge that has been amassed regarding the psychology of gifted students. This book: Introduces the reader to the varied conceptions of giftedness. Covers issues specific to gifted children and various intervention methods. Describes programs designed to fulfill the need these children have for challenge. Is updated and expanded, addressing contemporary issues. Reflects the latest research on giftedness. With chapters authored by leading experts in the field, Handbook for Counselors Serving Students With Gifts and Talents is a resource professionals can turn to for answers to a wide variety of questions about gifted children.

The fields of gifted education and talent development have numerous theories and conceptions for how to identify and serve students. This book helps introduce and apply these ideas to help reflect theory in practice. Each chapter introduces readers to a different theory by providing definitions of key concepts, explaining the fundamental conceptual/theoretical approach, and concluding with advice on how the conception can be put into practice. Suggestions for further reading are also provided. Some chapters are based on theories that have been around for decades, and some have been developed more recently. But all chapters focus on helping empower readers to understand and take action without having to reinvent the wheel.

In today’s standards-driven era, how can teachers motivate and challenge gifted learners and ensure that all students reach their potential—without major budget implications? This book provides a compelling answer: the Schoolwide Cluster Grouping Model (SCGM). The authors explain how the model differs from grouping practices of the past, and they present a roadmap for implementing, sustaining, and evaluating schoolwide cluster grouping. Practitioners will find a wealth of teacher-tested classroom strategies along with detailed information on identifying students for clusters, gaining support from parents, and providing ongoing professional development. Digital content features customizable reproducible forms and a PowerPoint presentation designed for in-service training.

The field of gifted education is characterized by a confusing array of perspectives concerning such fundamental issues as definition, philosophy, curriculum, social and emotional development, and underserved populations. The mission of this book is to provide a coherent framework that instructors and service providers can use in planning effective programs, providing appropriate counseling services, and evaluating programs for the gifted. Most sections are organized around fundamental issues confronting the field and follow a common structure: an introductory chapter that provides historical and theoretical background and organizing questions followed by several point-of-view chapters written by experts that provide varied perspectives on the topic at hand. Distinguishing Features Comprehensive Coverage - The book's forty-five manageable-length chapters cover the full range of topics that must be considered in planning programs and services for gifted students both within and outside of school. Coherent Structure - Section introductions provide background information and organizing questions to guide chapter authors who provide varying views of the issue at hand. The emphasis is not on the "right way" or the "wrong way" (except when clearly documented bad practice is discussed), but on how best practice stems from well-informed and logical decision-making. Decision Making Focus - The book's introductory chapter addresses the need for a clearly developed and consistently applied set of values to guide decision making. Likewise, each section introduction includes a decision making framework regarding some aspect of educating, counseling, or parenting gifted students. This book is appropriate for introductory level courses in gifted education or courses in program development and planning. It is also suitable for school personnel responsible for making program planning decisions in the area of gifted education and for academic libraries with holdings in this area.