7th Grade Talent Search Press Release
DUKE UNIVERSITY NEWS
Duke University Talent Identification Program
www.tip.duke.edu
Talent Search Participants: Click here for information about submitting this information to your local media.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 2008
Gifted 7th graders prepare for the SAT and ACT through the Duke TIP Talent Search
CONTACT: Joy Baldwin
(919) 668-9100
jbaldwin@tip.duke.edu
DURHAM, NC -- In December of 2007 and January and February of this year, over 66,000 academically talented 7th graders took the SAT or ACT through the Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP). They will sit for the exams in their hometowns alongside the usual group of college-bound 11th and 12th graders, and many will earn scores that will rival or surpass those earned by the older kids in the next seats.
The Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP) identifies 7th graders in sixteen states in the Southeast, Midwest and Southwest who have scored at the 95th percentile or above on a national grade-level achievement test. These students are invited to participate in the Duke TIP 7th Grade Talent Search and take either the SAT or the ACT.
"With all of the demands on our educational system to provide services across the broad spectrum of students, it is vital that parents and educators have access to additional, external resources focused specifically on the gifted population,” said Duke TIP's Executive Director Martha Putallaz, Ph.D. “Within each gifted student is the potential for greatness, but without adequate opportunities and guidance, that potential may remain untapped. Duke TIP is here to help gifted students reach their full potential.”
Talent Search participants receive a comparative results summary and counseling guide to help interpret their scores. Duke TIP also provides participants with suggestions for using their ability more effectively, and a variety of educational materials and publications. These publications, including a newsletter, a directory of educational opportunities around the country, and a magazine on college choices, help students learn more about fulfilling academic opportunities available to them and about the needs and interests of people like themselves.
Duke TIP is a non-profit, educational organization designed to identify and support academically talented youth. Since 1980, nearly two million students from all over the world have taken part in Duke TIP. The organization runs two talent searches annually, one or 4th and 5th graders and one for 7th graders. Duke TIP also runs summer, weekend and online educational programs for gifted students in grades 7-12 and has developed numerous independent learning resources for students in grades 4-12. The organization is sustained by student fees and donations from individuals, corporations and foundations and allocates over $1.8 million annually in financial aid to its participants.
Parents, students and educators interested in the Duke TIP 4th/5th Grade or 7th Grade Talent Search, or Duke TIP’s Educational Programs should contact the Duke TIP office at (919) 668-9100, or visit the website at www.tip.duke.edu.
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