Gifted Students and the Technical Arts.

Overview & Synopsis

This report describes a concept for providing innovative opportunities for Virginia students identified as gifted in the technical arts or other areas. The approach unites the areas of vocational education, programs for the gifted, and career education and guidance in a partnership to: encourage gifted students to pursue offerings in vocational education, present gifted students with more information and experience about potential careers, and eliminate artificial distinctions between vocational and general education. The report discusses: (1) benefits of the approach for students, educators, parents, and communities; (2) procedures involved in identification and placement of gifted students; (3) ways of arranging the learning environment to meet the educational needs of gifted students in technical arts education, including examples of model programs and courses in operation in Virginia; and (4) issues in the area of personnel, such as personnel training, teacher qualifications, and parental and community involvement. Includes a list of 11 suggested readings. (JDD)