1. 4th-6th Grade Talent Search
Duke University Talent Identification Program
4th-6th Grade Talent Search
Welcome!
¡Bienvenidos!
We’re pleased to be able to offer you this presentation to help you better understand the many benefits of being a participant in the Duke TIP Talent Searches, as well as the additional resources and educational opportunities a student can look forward to from now through 6th grade. We’re glad you’re taking the time to learn more!
And Bienvenidos!…just so you know, we also hablamos español por si acaso se necesita ayuda en su idioma. I speak Spanish and we have staff on hand that can help with Spanish language needs should that be useful to you.

2. What is Duke TIP?
Non-profit organization providing identification and support services for the academically talented
Advanced learning opportunities and resources
Since 1980, more than 2.5 million participants
What is the Duke University Talent Identification Program? Duke TIP is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving academically gifted and talented youth. As a world leader in gifted and talented education, Duke TIP works with students, their families, and educators to explore, discover and celebrate their highest potential.  We hope to keep participants motivated and excited about the pursuit of higher academics through Duke TIP’s many educational offerings, as well as those of our trusted partners. We are proud to have served more than 2.5 million students since our program began in 1980.

3. Collaborative efforts.
What is Duke TIP?
Collaborative efforts.
Duke TIP
Educators
Parents & Families
Academically Talented Students
Expanding the resources available to students, educators, and their families
It is through our relationship with schools that we help identify some of the nation’s brightest students. As indicated by this graphic, our goal is to provide academically talented students with a strong circle of support as we work together with teachers, school personnel and students’ families.  Together, Duke TIP and educators help guide families in determining how advanced their students’ academic abilities truly are and what level of educational challenge is appropriate. If educators did not share this opportunity with students, it is possible they might not hear about Duke TIP. So, we are thrilled that they assist us in identifying students and encourage them to take a deeper look at the Talent Search. We hope to work with educators, students, and their families throughout their elementary and secondary school years to bring them enriching academic opportunities. It takes all of us working together to increase the chances for greater success.

4. Talent Search Model
Duke TIP has developed what we call a Talent Search Model to support the unique needs of high achieving students and celebrate their successes. This model shows how our talent searches bring value to the learning experience of highly capable students:
By above-level testing and appropriate assessment measures,
By access to Duke TIP’s network of educational programs and resources, and
By motivation and encouragement for students focused on academic achievement
Duke TIP’s Talent Search department of ten employees works directly with schools and families to manage the enrollment process of our individual 4th-6th Grade Talent Search and 7th Grade Talent Search. Both searches require the completion of enrollment, payment of a nominal, one-time fee, provide above-level testing, and offer advanced resources, opportunities and encouragement for high achieving students.

5. Eligibility & Enrollment
Talent Search
Where the TIP experience begins.
Academic challenge and peer interaction to cultivate a passion for learning
New Opportunities
Eligibility & Enrollment
Participation
The Talent Search, whether it is the 4th-6th or the 7th Grade search, is where the TIP Experience begins and is considered the entry point for many opportunities. We depend on counselors or gifted educators to assist us with identification of qualified students and rely on their help to determine eligibility for student participation.  Once identified, we hope students will choose to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity and enroll. Beyond the testing experience, participation becomes a choice as to how much or how little one chooses to put into this program. Duke TIP will regularly share with students the opportunities and educational programming options that they may consider from now through the end of their high school years. The more students participate in the benefits, the more opportunities they have to explore and understand their academic talents and cultivate their passion for learning. We want them to accept that it IS cool to be smart! Duke TIP is excited to be a part of their education and hope to do so for many years to come.

6. Eligibility www.tip.duke.edu/456enroll
Current 4th, 5th, or 6th graders
At or above the 95th percentile on one qualifying subtest
Visit TIP’s website for accepted tests and scores
Enroll only once
Benefits through 6th grade
Eligibility is an honor! To be eligible a student must first be in the fourth, fifth, or sixth grade. Second, a student should meet the qualifying test score requirements. A student must have scored at or above the 95th percentile on at least one acceptable subtest from an approved grade-level standardized achievement test, aptitude test, mental ability test, or state criterion-referenced test. Typically this represents a test from the end of the last school year, or the year before. Once you have determined that a student qualifies, they are eligible to fill out an application for the 4th-6th Grade Talent Search. For a drop-down menu list of approved tests and subtests, please visit our website.

7. Participation is Rewarding!
Discover academic talents and explore their passion for learning
Interact with academic peers through program engagement
Assess intellectual abilities through optional above-level testing
Foster curiosity and build confidence
Participation in the Talent Search is definitely rewarding! Academically talented students need new challenges, special motivation, and support. We will help students grow scholastically by providing an opportunity for above-level testing, feedback on abilities, educational resources, and a connection to a community of other bright students. Our goal is to keep students motivated and focused on academics while interacting with other students like themselves.

8. Recognition Merit certificate: celebrate outstanding accomplishments
Ribbon presentation: school recognition at end-of-year ceremony
We applaud achievement! Recognition is a big part of the 4th-6th Grade Talent Search. As a participant, one of the first things a student can look forward to receiving is a Certificate of Merit. This nice, frameable, card stock certificate will be mailed to all enrollees with their Welcome packet, approximately 2 -3 weeks after enrollment. Toward the end of the school year, we will also mail participation ribbons to students’ enrolling schools. School officials may choose to host a ceremony to publicly recognize your child’s achievements or they may choose to more individually recognize students with a personal presentation of these ribbons. Either way, we want students to know we are all very proud of them!

9. Publications Inspiring creativity and critical thinking skills
Academic 411 – published online at start of each school year
Navigator – monthly, online magazine encouraging the exploration and discovery of new topics and interests
There are many additional benefits to being a participant of Duke TIP. Students will receive special publications designed to help them learn more about their potential. Students will have access to the Navigator, the official, monthly, online magazine of the 4th-6th Grade Talent Search. With changing themes, each issue shares articles of interest to this younger age set and provides much food for thought. You may even read an article of your very own as talent search participants are encouraged to submit their personal work for publication! At the start of each school year, students will be prompted to access the latest Academic 411 on our website. This publication covers everything from school-related topics to interesting careers. It showcases what some bright TIPsters have done to build their first business enterprise, affect positive change in the world, or tackle life and educational challenges.

10. Book Club
Virtual classroom discussions within a secure blog environment providing interactive, online lessons – all driven by selected books
New book every two months
The Duke TIP Book Club offers students the opportunity to read current, age-appropriate literature and connect with TIP students nationwide. With the opportunity to read up to six books each year, students log on to a virtual classroom for discussions within a secure blog environment. With interactive, online lessons the Book Club gives students a creative writing lesson, as well as a thorough analysis of the book and its themes.

11. Writing & Art Contest Annual, themed, two-part option
Part One: essay submission
Part Two: artwork submission
Entries judged by Duke TIP staff
Monetary prizes to the winners (each grade) and their enrolling schools
Duke TIP’s annual Writing Contest is a way for budding authors and artists to submit their literary and creative efforts and potentially win monetary prizes in recognition of their work. Offered in two parts, students may submit an essay on the prescribed topic in Part One. Part Two is submission of artwork related to the winning entries of Part One. A bonus role for certain Duke TIP staff is to be a judge each year for these submissions and evaluate them on their eloquence, adherence to theme, and submission guidelines. First, second, and third place winners for each part in grades four, five, and six are announced by Duke TIP to all participants and are awarded corresponding prize money. The winning students’ enrolling schools are also awarded matching amounts.

12. Academic Online Lessons
Self-paced, independent study covering concepts and skills in creative writing, math, social studies, and science
Story Writing: Spin Me a Yarn
Number Secrets and Secret Codes
Energy: Powerful Connections in Chemistry, Biology, and Physics
Reinventions in Architecture
Academic online lessons are also a part of the Duke TIP experience. Four outstanding opportunities for learning cover concepts and skills relating to writing, math, science, and social studies. Upon confirmation of enrollment, participants will have access to these lessons for self-paced, independent study at any time of the year.

13. https://blogs.tip.duke.edu/giftedtoday
Helpful Resources
Gifted Today
TIP’s Research Digest: Extensive online library providing research-based guidance on rearing and educating academically talented children
Opportunity Guide: Searchable, online directory containing listings for schools, summer programs, and academic competitions across the United States and abroad
Talent Talk: Highlights ideas and voices that provide internal and external insight on the way that our world talks about talent
The new Gifted Today webpages can be an extremely helpful tool for students, educators, and parents alike. This online, searchable database gives one access to hundreds of articles spanning over 36 years of gifted education research through TIP’s Research Digest. At the click of the mouse you can find topics explored by experts in the field on any number of themes, from how to get your straight A student to clean her room to research on twice exceptional students—those with a disability, as well as an academic aptitude.
Similarly, the TIP maintained Opportunity Guide online showcases services for gifted students and contains over 400 listings for schools, summer programs, and academic competitions across the United States and abroad. Simply choose from the drop down lists or enter your own parameter search word, such as “science,” in “Texas,” or “girls only” and it will list for you all the programs that fit this bill so you’re sure not to miss an opportunity.
Talent Talk is our latest addition to TIP Resources. This blog is designed to help you connect with ideas and others’ voices on the subject of academic talent. Join the conversation!

14. Online Enrollment Deadlines
PSAT 8/9
Optional above-level testing experience
An academic test measuring 8th-9th grade ability levels and depth of knowledge
December or January test dates
NO late registration
Fee: $42
Enrollment Deadlines
Test Dates
Online Enrollment Deadlines
12/10/16
10/24/16
1/14/17
12/5/16
Our new above-level assessment opportunity this year will be the PSAT 8/9. Afforded only to 4th-6th Grade Talent Search participants…or 8th graders nationwide looking to assess their skills…the PSAT 8/9 is offered to our elementary students as an optional diagnostic tool. We encourage students to push their academic boundaries to see in what areas, if not all, they might find themselves testing at an eighth grade equivalent. Scores are reported only to the students, though schools may request a list of students who ultimately took this challenge. However, participants achieving composite results in the 99th percentile are invited to be honored at a celebratory recognition ceremony with 7th graders who attained outstanding scores on their ACT or SAT exams through Duke TIP.
A student may take the PSAT 8/9 test once each academic year with testing windows in December or January. Because it is an optional test, it does have an additional fee and application apart from the Talent Search. One must choose to enroll for this test by the corresponding test’s deadline, as there is NO late registration, but they may take it each year of their Talent Search participation, if they so choose. Participants will be presented the opportunity again the following fall. The additional fee for PSAT 8/9 is $42. Students may register either online or with a paper application.

15. Enrollment is Easy! www.tip.duke.edu/enroll Begins October 1
Online OR by mail
One-time enrollment
Fee: $40
Benefits continue through sixth grade
Deadline March 31
Enrollment in the 4th-6th Grade Talent Search truly is easy! Registration opens as early as October 1 and runs through March 31 of the same school year. You may enroll online on our website or by paper application obtained from your school or Duke TIP directly. The one-time Talent Search fee is only $40 and includes all aforementioned benefits through the student’s 6th grade year. Be reminded, the above-level test is an additional fee.

16. Financial Aid
Qualify for free or reduced lunch and there is NO FEE to participate*
More than $3 million awarded across all programs in 2016
Duke TIP is pleased to make financial aid available to all eligible students. If you qualify for free or reduced lunch at your school the Talent Search fee is waived entirely—that is, free. Simply include with your paper application the official verification of your free or reduced lunch status, such as copy of your original documentation paperwork or a signed letter from the school (on their letterhead). We are very happy to report that we awarded more than $3M in financial aid across all of our programs last year alone.
*Paper application with documentation required

17. Outstanding learning opportunities for grades 4 and up
Educational Programs
Outstanding learning opportunities for grades 4 and up
Another department within Duke TIP is Educational Programs. The EP staff develop curriculum/materials and facilitate learning for many specialized and unique programs for talented youth. Financial aid is available for those who meet the criteria and detailed information is available at the website. Duke TIP educational programs seek to engage students beyond the regular classroom with new academic challenges as well as guide them in utilizing their aptitudes at higher levels of learning. These programs have additional fees.

18. Academic Adventures
Challenging, hands-on learning experiences for participants in fourth through sixth grade
One-day study exploring topics not typically covered in schools
Spring and fall program dates
Locations include:
Georgia
Kansas
Kentucky
Missouri
North Carolina
South Carolina
Texas
Academic Adventures. These day programs, exclusively for 4th through 6th grade Talent Search participants, are held at Duke University or a host campus such as a local private school or downtown museum. Offered in the spring or fall, students explore topics outside of normal school curriculum. This program provides an opportunity to meet similarly motivated peers in a learning environment where creativity and critical thinking meet.

19. CRISIS
A week-long, residential, summer program for fifth and sixth graders
Emphasizes problem-based learning and leadership skills
Students work together to solve a community crisis
Locations may include:
Agnes Scott College, Atlanta, GA
Meredith College, Raleigh, NC
Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL
Southwestern University, Georgetown, TX
Washington University, St. Louis, MO
CRISIS is a week-long residential program in the summer after one’s fifth or sixth grade year. Through problem-based learning, students are challenged to build leadership and teamwork skills in their role as a professional research team member. Collaboratively, they work to save the world and solve a topical, community crisis before it’s too late!

20. eInvestigators www.tip.duke.edu/crackthecase
Problem-based, immersive online experience for fifth and sixth graders
Based on real-world mysteries in fields such as medicine, history, archaeology, science, and mathematics
Peer collaboration with interactive web tools
Individualized feedback for each student
Four-week terms offered year round
eInvestigators, Duke TIP’s most recent addition to its educational programs, is an online, problem-based, 4-week learning experience for students in 5th or 6th grade. Offered throughout the year, students interact online with their peers and instructors to perform research and get to the bottom of the mystery they have chose to investigate. Space is limited!

21. Independent Learning Grades four through twelve
Self-paced, various formats: CD-ROM, workbook, or online
Students work with a local mentor
No qualifying criteria
Participants and schools receive a discount!
Duke TIP's Independent Learning products offer academically gifted students rigorous and engaging independent study anytime, anywhere. Highly-motivated, self-starting learners develop advanced critical thinking skills through inquiry-based learning and interdisciplinary thinking. Students pursue authentic, creative projects and above-level readings, writing assignments, and problem sets that challenge students at their individual level. Students may choose a mentor in their local area who can provide guidance, grading, and expertise. This local mentor can assist with any speed bumps a student may encounter in their studies. Whenever the student has a little bit of free time or inclination to more thoroughly investigate a topic area, these courses will be waiting for them. Available in CD-ROM, online, or workbook format, and complete with quizzes and assessments, you need not be a TIP participant to purchase, but you will receive a discounted price if you are! We’re also pleased to be able to work with schools and educators to develop these courses as full or partial year curriculum, also at a discounted rate.

22. Rosetta Stone Foundations®
Discounted, one-year subscription
Uses speech recognition technology and real-life simulated conversations
25 available languages including Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, German, and more!
Duke TIP participants can also hone their language skills with Rosetta Stone Foundations® and enjoy a discounted rate on a one-year subscription to this renowned language learning software. Gifted students are cognitively ready for advanced language study. They can master large bodies of complex information and comprehend multiple meanings and nuances of words. A student has 365 days from the day they log on the first time to achieve as many levels of their chosen language as they can. Try a language not currently offered in your school or brush up on your required language in your free time!

23. Webinars www.tip.duke.edu/webinars
Webinars and information sessions are held on a variety of topics throughout the year.
Thank you again for viewing this presentation to learn more about the Duke TIP Talent Searches and the many educational programs and resources available to your bright student! If you would like this presentation in a pre-recorded format, please visit our website, as well as to find a listing of additional webinars planned on a host of different Duke TIP topics.

24. Contact
Traci Guidry
Texas Office
(512)