Digest of Gifted Research

Welcome to the Digest of Gifted Research (formerly Duke Gifted Letter), published by the Duke University Talent Identification Program. The Digest is a trusted resource for research-based information about raising and educating academically talented children.

Common Core State Standards

Thursday, April 29, 2010 - 11:47

Parents of gifted children moving to a new state may be concerned about what kinds of services and education standards will be encountered in their new home state. With each state having differing standards, evaluating new schools can be a complicated process. In an effort to create a more uniform set of education standards, the National Governor’s Association, working with Council of Chief State School Officers has recently released a draft of Common Core State Standards for English/Language Arts and Math.

The governors and state education commissioners of 48 states (all except Alaska and Texas) have developed these standards with several goals in mind. Specifically, their intent...

The Three-Ring Conception of Giftedness

Thursday, April 29, 2010 - 11:41

Developed by Joseph Renzulli, the three ring conception of giftedness has been a popular view of giftedness for over 30 years. The three rings represent three clusters of traits: 1) above average ability, 2) creativity, and 3) task commitment. According to Renzulli, these three traits combine and interact with each other to form creative accomplishment (or gifted behaviors). According to the theory, students who exhibit, or have the potential to exhibit, sufficient levels of these traits require opportunities and challenges above and beyond those offered in the regular classroom.

Renzulli also notes that these three rings do not exist in a vacuum. Rather, personality and...

Myriad Myths about Giftedness

Thursday, January 7, 2010 - 22:55

Upon hearing the word "myth," one may think of Zeus on Mount Olympus or King Arthur at Camelot. However, not all myths come from history; modern myths exist as well. Some of the most prevalent modern myths in education surround giftedness and gifted and talented programs. Numerous lists of such myths have been published. In this article, we provide three such lists published by giftedness researchers.

Myths about Gifted Students, by Joyce VanTassel-Baska and Susannah Wood

This concise and easy to understand list offers a brief explanation of the research-based "reality" that...

Advanced Placement

Thursday, January 7, 2010 - 22:50

Advanced Placement (AP) courses and tests offer college level material to students while they are still in high school. The 37 AP courses currently offered prepare students to take a standardized test of the knowledge and skills acquired in the course. Colleges and universities throughout the U.S. accept the test results as evidence of learning at a level that is largely comparable to what is taught in their classes.

Begun over 50 years ago, AP courses were originally intended to help bridge the gap between high school and college experiences and to help with college placement. However, AP courses are now often viewed as necessary for college enrollment and not just ...

Administrators of Gifted Programs: Paying Attention to the "Man Behind the Curtain"

Thursday, January 7, 2010 - 22:45

In the previous article about those who serve as administrators of gifted programs (AGP), the challenging nature of this role was explored, and the proposal set forth that the many demands that confront an administrator of a gifted program comprise a "Mission Impossible" scenario. Fortunately, there are professionals who are highly capable of merging the roles of leader, manager and advocate, and they are highly successful in their efforts on behalf of gifted students. Their effectiveness as they work behind the scenes, pulling levers and making magic in the midst of institutional smoke and fire calls to mind the legendary Wizard of Oz. Unlike the wizard's admonition to Dorothy to "Pay...