ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book is designed to reflect a broad range of thinking in the field so that its readers can examine multiple options from which to choose those that best fit their needs and belief systems. The definition of giftedness that results should be reflective of the population of students that the school or school district serves as well as the characteristics, strengths and challenges, and underlying philosophy of education that the district holds. Curriculum and instruction refers to the content and learning experiences that gifted students encounter within their gifted programs. The book investigates issues and processes related to effective formative and summative evaluations of gifted program outcomes. It explores a range of widely used curricular and instructional approaches to meeting the needs of the gifted. The book provides closer and more in-depth descriptions of a variety of different service delivery methods.
