Analysing the needs of gifted and talented students : implications for the rights of gifted students

Gifted students have special learning needs and, if these are not met, they may lead to student frustration, a loss of self-esteem and ultimately to underachievement. After briefly reviewing the literature discussing adefinition and needs of an appropriate curriculum and pedagogy for these students, the author will present findings of an Australian Research Council funded research study aimed at meeting the needs of gifted students in the regular classroom. This paper involves anexploration of gifted students' perceptions of their needs and therefore has implications for the advocacy role of the Queensland Commission for Children and Young People and other public offices implementing government legislation such as the U.S. 'No Child Left Behind' (PL 107-110, 2001) Act.