DUKE TIP Informational Meeting for Parents and Students

What is the Talent Search?  Program designed to identify academically advanced students  Eligibility is based around scores at the 95 th percentile on reading/math STAAR scores from grade 6 or educator recommendation  Provides identified students the opportunity to take either the ACT or the SAT as an above-level test  Gives insight into their abilities  Gives opportunities to preview a college entrance exam

What are the participation benefits?  Above level testing gives greater understanding of the extent of academic abilities  Information is helpful in planning an appropriate course of study for high school and beyond  Score reports:  One compares student scores to recent U.S. high school graduates  Results summary compares scores to other DUKE TIP students—provides recommendations to share with teachers on approaches to classroom instruction  eInsights online newsletter contains articles on college preparation, academics, enrichment and stories about other GT students  Guides to colleges/universities, summer programs, and academic competitions  DUKE TIP’s Independent Learning to supplement classroom endeavors and provide enrichment opportunities  Opportunities to participate in summer studies and eStudies at Duke University

What are the long term benefits?  Birdville ISD District Improvement Plan: Advanced Academic Goals  Each year, 2% of graduating seniors will attain some type of National Merit recognition  Each year, the average SAT and ACT scores of graduating seniors will exceed the national averages.  Early exposure to above level testing using college entrance exams will help inform students and help them reach their fullest potential on college entrance exams taken in high school.  Use with counselors will help students select the most appropriate pathways of study  Use with teachers will help engage students in the most appropriate delivery of instruction  Scholarship money through NMSP, corporate scholarships and learning institution scholarships open doors to the most renowned institutions such as  University of Oklahoma (313), University of Chicago (299), Harvard (240), University of Southern California (235), Vanderbilt University (237)  Stanford (188), Yale (180), Northwestern (167), Texas A&M (162), Princeton (151), MIT (142) * 2014 entering freshmen class

ACT or SAT? ACT (No Writing) SAT 3 to 3.5 hours long 3.75 hours long 4 sections: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science 3 sections: Critical Reading, Mathematics, Writing (includes essay) 36 possible points on each section800 possible points on each section * DUKE TIP students will take the “old version” and not the redesigned versions of the SAT No penalty for guessing: fill in all the answers Penalty for guessing Recommend limited test preparation: students should be familiar with the structure of the test they choose, the timing of each section, and recommended “guessing strategies” for each test. Students may opt to complete the practice test provided by DUKE TIP, but there is no need to pursue extensive test preparation. This test should be diagnostic in nature—don’t stress out the kids!

Local Testing Sites SAT date: January 23, 2016 SAT test locations, the three nearest test centers are: Trinity H.S. in Euless, code Fossil Ridge H.S. in Keller, code Keller H.S. in Keller, code ACT date: February 6, 2016 ACT test locations, the three nearest locations are: Carroll H.S. in Southlake, code Grand Prairie H. S. in Grand Prairie, code Eastern Hills H. S. in Fort Worth, code For other test locations, please contact your Advanced Academics Specialist.

Test Day Items ACT  ACT admission ticket  ACT Talent Search Student Identification letter  2 sharpened number 2 pencils  An approved calculator  Snack/drink for breaks stored out of sight SAT  SAT admission ticket  SAT Talent Search/SAT ID  2 sharpened number 2 pencils  An approved calculator  Snack/drink for breaks stored out of sight

Fees and Financial Aid  $75.00 pays for one test administration and enrollment in the talent search throughout high school.  Students who qualify for free and reduced lunch can receive a grant to reduce the fee to $  Complete the enrollment form sent by the Academic Coach at your school  Submission information for online or paper enrollment is available at

Questions?  All information contained in this power point presentation was obtained from for the purposes of providing information to Birdville ISD parents of DUKE TIP nominated students.