Exceptional Children Conference Papers: Gifted and Talented.

Educators concerned with improving educational opportunities for the gifted need to consider ways to achieve their ends within the realities of the political system. Federal programs cannot be expected to provide ideas which will dramatically improve education for the gifted nor to provide large quantities of money. The federal government can serve as a catalyst to ideas through research and demonstration programs and support of leadership training. A federal survey on the gifted has shown the degree to which existing legislation is not serving gifted children. In contrast, gifted and other children in the Soviet Union are exposed to an extracurricular program of clubs using notable professionals as instructors. Though gifted students can be found in every racial group and social class, the search for a culture free intelligence test is not useful. Development of the art of scrounging can lead to innovative ways to obtain funding. Educational support services such as research and development and training activities are an unrecognized part of the educational delivery system. A bill for educational assistance to gifted and talented children has been introduced but must overcome political hurdles before it is passed and appropriations gained. Political allies need to be nurtured in organizations such as the National Education Association. (DB)