Introduction: Behavioral engagement in schools is an important contributor to academic outcomes for adolescents, but may also protect them from substance abuse. Positive and negative attitudes to the past, present, and future have been linked to adaptive and maladaptive behaviors in adolescence, respectively, but there is a need for research that examines whether time attitudes promote behavioral engagement and lower risk for substance use. Methods: Structural equation models involving 1961 diverse high school students were utilized, which controlled for sex, GPA, and alcohol use. Results: Positive time attitudes were positively associated with behavioral engagement and students’ GPA. Girls had stronger levels of behavioral engagement. Positive time attitudes were indirectly associated with less marijuana use via intrinsic motivation, engagement, and less alcohol use. The indirect effect of positive time attitudes on engagement via intrinsic motivation was significant and substantial. In a second structural model, we examined the effects of negative time attitudes, intrinsic motivation, and behavioral engagement on marijuana use. Negative time attitudes and intrinsic motivation were indirectly associated with less marijuana use via behavioral engagement. Both models explained 41% of the variance in engagement and 36% of the variance in marijuana use, suggesting that positive and negative time attitudes are equally valuable in understanding academic engagement and marijuana use among adolescents. A third model indicated that behavioral engagement was negatively related to a latent variable composed of binge drinking and alcohol use. Conclusions: Implications for practice and future research are discussed, as the current findings suggest the importance of positive time attitudes as promotive of behavioral engagement and protective against substance use.

The representation gap in gifted and talented education poses a persistent challenge in educational systems worldwide. This theoretical manuscript presents the Bull’s Eye Model for Affective Development—Expansion (BEM-e) an innovative framework designed to address this gap. By incorporating elements from positive psychology, the BEM-e aims to identify and nurture traditionally underrepresented students who possess camouflaged gifted and talented abilities. Drawing upon the Engagement, Perseverance, Optimism, Connectedness, and Happiness model (EPOCH), along with measures of hope and metacognition, BEM-e provides a comprehensive approach to talent identification and service. The model emphasizes the holistic development of individuals by considering affective factors, engagement, perseverance, optimism, connectedness, happiness, hope, and metacognition. Additionally, dynamic assessment is integrated during the implementation of BEM-e modules, allowing for personalized and adaptive identification processes.

Traditional identification approaches have often excluded many students from underrepresented backgrounds from gifted and talented service programs. This study introduces an innovative identification method based on the Bull’s Eye Model for Affective Development—Expansion (BEM-e), which focuses on identifying giftedness and talents through targeted positive psychological traits. This method is integrated within an affective curriculum designed to create authentic learning environments that align with students’ interests and strengths, fostering deeper engagement, motivation, and self-efficacy. Grounded in the positive psychology theory, the curriculum includes engaging, activity-oriented modules with comprehensive dynamic assessments. These assessments allow teachers to identify a broad range of talents and abilities, promoting equity and a holistic identification process, which contributes to a more equitable and comprehensive education system.

The present research examines the intersections of giftedness, disability status, and cultural identity through the case of Kent, a nine-year-old Asian American boy who is not only profoundly gifted but has also been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and possibly developmental coordination disorder (DCD). This study offers a comprehensive exploration of how these overlapping factors shape Kent’s early talent development and educational experiences, while also highlighting the challenges faced by his family and their need for a personalized, holistic support system tailored to his unique combination of abilities and disabilities. While Kent’s case is not generalizable, it underscores the critical importance of understanding the dynamic interplay among giftedness, disability status, and cultural identity in developing effective educational strategies. Furthermore, we advocate for personalized interventions that extend beyond conventional approaches, such as applied behavior analysis (ABA), to adequately address the complex needs of multi-exceptional individuals like Kent.