We are not well informed regarding the ability-achievement relationship for twice-exceptional individuals (very high cognitive ability and a diagnosed disability, e.g., autism spectrum disorder [ASD]). The research question for this investigation (N = 59) focused on the predictability of achievement among variables related to ability and education in a twice-exceptional sample of students (cognitive ability of 120 [91st percentile], or above, and diagnosed with ASD). We determined that WISC-IV Working Memory and Processing Speed Indices were both significantly positively correlated with achievement in math, reading, and written language. WISC Perceptual Reasoning Index was uniquely predictive of Oral Language test scores. Unexpected findings were that ASD diagnosis, Verbal Comprehension Index, and forms of academic acceleration were not related to the dependent variables.

Established in the early 1970s, the talent search model has garnered strong theoretical and programming support for addressing the academic needs of highly able students. The two main components of the talent search model are discovery (identification) and development (programming) of academic talent. Discovery of academically talented elementary and middle school students occurs via the process of above-level testing, usually offered through university-based centers. The essence of talent search program intervention is acceleration, which has robust research support as the most effective intervention for high-ability students. Whereas talent search identification and programming are university based, talent search participants receive nearly all of their instruction in K-12 settings, where academic acceleration is less likely to be implemented. In this investigation, a large sample of talent search participants (n = 5,844) were asked questions designed to measure the various ways in which the students study mathematics, science, and language arts (writing and reading) in the K-12 setting. More than two thirds of the study sample reported that they were taught in the regular classroom, learning the same material, at the same level and pace as nongifted peers. The type of curriculum differentiation or program delivery model (e.g., small-group instruction) reported by the students varied according to subject area, with the greatest percentage of reports of differentiated delivery in mathematics. Main effects were found for gender, grade, and ability. Implications for school-based accelerative interventions are presented.

How well students perform on standardized tests can affect their educational paths and the rest of their lives. In addition, students' performances on state assessments will affect their schools due to the No Child Left Behind Act. For English language learners (ELLs), the success on tests may be diminished due to their inability to completely understand what they are reading on a test. Because ELLs are a growing proportion of the population and have greater risk of not performing well in school, dropping out, and not moving on to have a job, it is very important to address their educational performance. To alleviate the difficulty of not being able to understand English competently, various testing accommodations can be given. The purpose of this study was to describe how different types of accommodations are being distributed, particularly among ELL students, on an achievement test battery. Several variables were examined to assess whether they related to which accommodation would be assigned to an individual student. This study used data from a recent 2010 national standardization of an achievement test battery, which sampled 33,226 students from grades 3-8 across the U. S. In addition to the tests, students completed a survey which asked for such information as gender, home language, and ethnicity, and test administrators reported on that same survey which testing accommodations students were given, whether students were migrants, whether students participated in a free or reduced-price lunch program, and whether students were ELL students. These variables, along with students' Reading, Math, and Science scores were used to describe the groups of students given each accommodation. Five testing accommodations were reported by the studentsgiving students extended time to take the test, allowing students to use a word-to-word dictionary, reading parts of the test aloud to the students, repeating instructions, and having the test administered by an ELL teacher. Of all these, the group that was most similar to the entire sample on the test results for the Reading, Math, and Science was the group given iii ABSTRACT How well students perform on standardized tests can affect their educational paths and the rest of their lives. In addition, students' performances on state assessments will affect their schools due to the No Child Left Behind Act. For English language learners (ELLs), the success on tests may be diminished due to their inability to completely understand what they are reading on a test. Because ELLs are a growing proportion of the population and have greater risk of not performing well in school, dropping out, and not moving on to have a job, it is very important to address their educational performance. To alleviate the difficulty of not being able to understand English competently, various testing accommodations can be given. The purpose of this study was to describe how different types of accommodations are being distributed, particularly among ELL students, on an achievement test battery. Several var...