The authors base their taxonomy on four commonly accepted theoretical assumptions about curricular theory: the nature of the gifted learner; the role of the educator; the demands of knowledge; and the needs of society. Each of the concepts is presented with a descriptive treatment, a prescriptive treatment, and a thorough discussion that includes recommended practices. The taxonomy is a significant first step that brings order, clarity, significance and conceptual meaning to the existing atheoretical field of "gifted," "talented," or "creative" education.
The Handbook concludes with an extensive bibliography for DEG and four useful appendices on characterology and personalysis; program evaluation; unit construction; and mental testing in DEG.
