The Stronghold Foundation is seeking talented at-risk ninth, tenth, or eleventh grade students who would benefit from the college preparatory environment of a private residential school. The foundation provides financial support for at-risk students to attend the Shattuck-St. Mary’s School in Southern Minnesota, one of the premier boarding schools in the nation. Applicants should have B or better grades, although having a variety of interests is important. Students are being sought who are able to proceed through advanced degrees and serve as future leaders and role models. For more information and application materials contact: Stronghold Foundation, 3008 Dartmouth Road, Alexandria, VA 22314-4824.
The 1994 State of the States Report is now available from the Council of State Directors of Programs for the Gifted. Based on 1992-93 state education agency data, the report covers state legislation, state fiscal requirements, state procedures on assessing and serving gifted students, and the impact of educational reform on services to gifted students. To receive a copy, send a check or money order in the amount of $35, payable to CSDPG to: CSDPG, c/o Donnell Bilsky, 901 Potomac Path, Austin, TX 78752.
Teachers of grade 1-3 students may be interested in field testing a new interdisciplinary interest center focusing on bears. Educators interested in field testing the activities will receive 15 student activity cards, related resource lists, and an evaluation form. When the evaluation form is returned to the author, they will receive 10 additional student activity cards, a list of suggested informational texts and picture books, and suggestions for large group activities. To receive the free packet of field test materials, send a self-addressed 9″ x 12″ envelope with four postage stamps to: Debra L. Briatico, 352 Main Street, Bristol, CT 06010.
Computer users with Internet access and a gopher program may now access current research on performance-based assessment being conducted by The National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing (CRESST) at UCLA. The Internet gopher server contains the Alternative Assessments in Practice Database, which features alternative assessment measures that have been developed by most of the 50 states. In addition to the database, the server contains recent articles on new methods of assessment from the CRESST newsletter and abstracts of over 50 technical reports on alternative assessment. The CRESST Internet address is gopher.cse.ucla.edu. For additional information on the server or CRESST publications contact: UCLA, CSE/CRESST, Graduate School of Education, 405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1522.
A comprehensive collection of significant theoretical and empirical worldwide research on the recognition and development of the gifted and talented has been compiled in the International Handbook of Research and Development of Giftedness and Talent. The handbook includes contributors from 18 nations and covers the following topics on giftedness and talent:
- historical perspectives and perennial issues,
- conceptions and development of giftedness and talent,
- identification,
- programs and practices of nurturing the gifted/talented,
- examples of country efforts, policies, programs and issues, and
- present and future education efforts.
This comprehensive handbook is edited by Kurt A. Heller, Franz J. Mönks, and A. Harry Passow and is available for $175 from: Pergamon Press, Inc., Sales Department, 660 White Plains Road, Tarrytown, NY 10591-5153.
A nationwide research project is being planned for the 1994-95 school year to assess the effectiveness of teacher training on improving elementary students’ self-efficacy in mathematics. Participating schools will receive a one-hour video tape on classroom strategies which have been shown to increase student self-efficacy. They will also receive training handbooks for all participating teachers. For more information on becoming involved in the project contact: Del Siegle, The National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented, 362 Fairfield Road, U-7, Storrs, CT 06269, phone 203-486-0617.