Educator GuideHelp your gifted and talented students reach their full potential by inviting them to join Duke TIP

7TH GRADE TALENT SEARCH2018–2019

7th Grade Talent Search

Support your brightest students

How do you engage and support a student who has already mastered grade-level material, while still meeting the needs of your other students? The Duke University Talent Identification Program can help.

For over thirty-eight years, we’ve partnered with educators to identify, recognize, and meet the educational needs of academically talented students. As experts in the field of gifted education, we are here to share our programs, research, and resources with you.

We provide exceptional students and their families with above-grade-level testing, special recognition, customized publications, enrichment activities, online communities, research-based advice, and challenging educational programs.

It Starts with YouAs a nonprofit organization, we depend on educators like you to identify the students who would benefit from our offerings. Students join TIP by enrolling in our 7th Grade Talent Search. Your role in the process is to identify qualified students and notify them of this opportunity. Once students accept our invitation and enroll in TIP, they can use our benefits to get additional, challenging educational experiences they may need to reach their full potential.

Financial AidDuke TIP is committed to serving academically talented students, no matter their family’s income level. One hundred percent of our revenues go to funding our programs and providing financial aid for students in need. In fact, we awarded over $4.3 million in need-based financial aid last year.

For the 7th Grade Talent Search, any student who is eligible for free or reduced lunch can pay a lower enrollment fee of $30 (from the standard $80). We provide a financial aid form (available at tip.duke.edu/7toolkit and as an insert in this guide) that you can fill out and print on school letterhead for families, or they can submit a copy of their free or reduced lunch approval paperwork to TIP when they enroll.

Use Special FundingMany schools also choose to pay the enrollment fees on their students’ behalf using their local Title I or other special program funding. Purchase order instructions are available at tip.duke.edu/7toolkit if you would like to do the same.

Learn even more about our 7th Grade Talent Search and teacher support

at tip.duke.edu/7guide.

Educator Guide 1

Your Role: A Step-by-Step GuideStep 1: Identify qualified studentsDuke TIP’s 7th Grade Talent Search is open to current seventh-grade students (or eighth-grade students who skipped the seventh grade) who qualify through one of these four methods:

1. Scoring at or above the 95th percentile on an accepted national standardized achievement or abilities test

2. Scoring at or above the 95th percentile on a state assessment

3. Scoring 125 or above (full scale or composite) on an accepted IQ test

4. Receiving an educator recommendation if they haven’t tested or you believe they would benefit based on other factors

Please note:

• Duke TIP accepts scores from a wide variety of national and state assessments. You can find the accepted tests, subtests, and qualifying scores for all of them using our easy look-up tool at tip.duke.edu/7identify.

• Students only need to qualify on one accepted subtest to be eligible for the program.

• Students may qualify using scores from any time in the past two years. If 2017–2018 sixth-grade test results for your state haven’t been released by September 2018, we recommend using 2016–2017 fifth-grade scores.

• Because state assessment schedules vary and results are often delayed, be sure to keep your contact information current at tip.duke.edu/schoolupdate so we can keep you updated on qualifying scores in your state!

Step 2: Notify students of their eligibilityOnce you’ve identified your students, it’s time to let them know they are eligible to join TIP. We provide a number of resources to make that easy to do. You may download invitation forms, financial aid forms for students receiving free or reduced lunch, brochures, instructions, and more (in English and Spanish) from the educator toolkit at tip.duke.edu/7toolkit. If you find it easier to photocopy forms and fill them out by hand, you may use the invitation form and financial aid form inserted into this guide.

Once notified, families enroll their student online or via a paper application.

Step 3: Celebrate your school’s TIP participants, if you’d likeWhile notifying students of their eligibility for TIP is the last step necessary for you to ensure that your students receive our benefits, many schools also choose to hold local awards assemblies in the spring to honor their TIP participants. If you’d like to do the same, you may request a list of your enrollees at any time by emailing 7talentsearch@tip.duke.edu. We also provide a sample ceremony script and a certificate template at tip.duke.edu/7toolkit. Recognizing your TIP students is a great way to show your students, families, and community that you value academic achievement and support your gifted students.

1Identify

2Notify

3Celebrate

7th Grade Talent Search2

Benefits

Educational Guidance | Grades 7–12 | 7talentsearch@tip.duke.eduParents and teachers of talent search participants have access to TIP’s experienced gifted education experts when they need guidance.

Gifted Today | Grades 7–12 | giftedtoday.orgThis online publication for educators and parents includes recent research findings,

an extensive library of articles, research-based advice, and other news from the field of gifted education.

Connections to Other Opportunities | Grades 7–12 | giftedtoday.orgWe share advice and resources families can use to find programs, contests, and scholarships of special interest to high-achieving students.

College Planning Advice | Grades 7–12 | tip.duke.edu/readyforcollegeWe offer online publications that guide gifted students

through college planning and include advice from TIP alumni.

Insights | Grades 7–12 | tip.duke.edu/insightsThis online monthly publication for gifted students explores new subjects through feature articles, interviews with experts, and opportunities for TIPsters to contribute.

Recognition | Grade 7 | tip.duke.edu/ceremoniesWe celebrate students by awarding certificates and medals and hosting ceremonies

for qualified students. We also give educators tools to recognize students at their schools.

Above-Grade-Level Testing | Grade 7 | tip.duke.edu/7aboveThe 7th Grade Talent Search enrollment fee provides participants with one test registration for the ACT (no writing) or SAT (no essay), along with a results summary to help interpret their scores. See the next page for more on testing.

Did you know that Duke TIP also has a talent search for fourth, fifth, and sixth graders?

Go to tip.duke.edu/456gts to learn more.Enrollment for the 4th–6th Grade Talent Search opens October 1.

Educator Guide 3

Early Identification and Above-Grade-Level TestingThe importance of above-grade-level testingTop scores on grade-level exams only measure whether students have mastered grade-level material; they do not tell you how far above grade level a student’s abilities might go. Taking an above-grade-level test helps students gain a better understanding of their academic strengths and educational needs. That’s why Duke TIP offers its 7th Grade Talent Search participants the opportunity to take either the ACT or SAT in seventh grade, the exact same exams that high school students take when applying to college. In fact, at most test center locations, seventh graders will be testing alongside high school students. Designed for college-bound high school students, these exams are an essential diagnostic tool for younger gifted students, often revealing important nuances about their academic abilities. In addition, these scores are used to qualify students for TIP’s annual recognition ceremonies, as well as our accelerated summer educational programs. Please see the test dates table on page 4 for more on when students who are interested in qualifying for a ceremony or summer program should test.

TIP’s Educational ProgramsThe 7th Grade Talent Search is an entry point to many TIP educational programs. Our educational programs charge additional fees, but financial aid is available. Some programs have minimum ACT or SAT score requirements.

Grade 7 Grade 8 Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12Summer Studies

Program

Scholar Weekends

Field Studies

eStudies

SAT

Scor

e

Above-Grade-Level Test

SAT Math SAT Verbal

Perc

entil

e Sc

ore

Grade-Level Test

Math Verbal

Three-week accelerated summer residential program. Learn more at tip.duke.edu/ssp.

Intensive two-day program. Learn more at tip.duke.edu/scholar.

Two-week summer residential program at field study locations. Learn more at tip.duke.edu/fieldstudies.

Seven-week accelerated online summer program. Learn more at tip.duke.edu/estudies.

7th Grade Talent Search4

Fees and DeadlinesFor a onetime nonrefundable enrollment fee of $80 ($30 if the student is eligible for free or reduced lunch), 7th Grade Talent Search participants receive one ACT or SAT test registration, along with a variety of other benefits through the end of high school that meet their social, emotional, and academic needs.

Be sure to identify and notify early

Enrollment is open from August 1, 2018, through April 30, 2019. Please identify and notify your qualifying students as early as possible so they have more ACT or SAT test date options to choose from.

While students can join the 7th Grade Talent Search anytime between August and April, taking the ACT or SAT through TIP by the end of February 2019 guarantees their test scores will be back in time for TIP to let families know if their students qualify to attend TIP’s summer programs that first summer, which is important to many families. Since students choose their ACT or SAT test date at the same time they enroll in the talent search, we recommend that you give families enough time to enroll in TIP and sign up for the test date they prefer.

Test Test Date Paper Application Postmark Deadline

Online Enrollment Deadline

ACT 10/27/18 — 9/19/2018

SAT 11/3/18 9/10/2018 9/26/2018

SAT 12/1/18 10/10/2018 10/24/2018

ACT 12/8/18 10/10/2018 10/24/2018

ACT 2/9/19 12/13/2018 1/8/2019

Summer Programs: Students testing after February 2019 may not receive their scores back in time to apply to the Summer Studies Program after seventh grade. However, students who test after February and achieve

a qualifying score will remain eligible to apply in future summers. Once eligible, always eligible!

SAT 3/9/19 — 1/30/2019

Recognition Ceremonies: Students must take the ACT or SAT by the end of March to receive an invitation to attend a recognition ceremony, should they achieve a qualifying score.

Duke TIP does not receive scores from tests taken after March in time to invite eligible students to ceremonies. However, students who test after March and achieve a qualifying score will be mailed a medal in the summer.

ACT 4/13/19 — 2/27/2019

SAT 5/4/19 — 3/27/2019

SAT 6/1/19 — 4/30/2019

ACT 6/8/19 — 4/30/2019

All of these test dates are available through the online enrollment (tip.duke.edu/enroll). However, due to space limitations, only four test dates (November SAT, December ACT or SAT, and February ACT) are listed on the paper application.

Learn more about the ACT and SAT at tip.duke.edu/7tests.

Educator Guide 5

Looking for More Information?

Visit tip.duke.edu/7ssd for information about testing accommodations for students with disabilities or for those who need a Sunday test date for religious reasons.

Have an eighth grader who missed the opportunity to participate in last year’s 7th Grade Talent Search during the 2017–2018 academic year? Contact us at 7talentsearch@tip.duke.edu to learn about an alternate program option.

If you’re looking for support and resources, visit Teachers Workshop at teachersworkshop.org. This blog and community space is a place where educators of the gifted can find guidance on everyday teaching challenges, tips to inspire instruction, and free classroom-ready lessons and materials.

Contact Us for AssistanceDuke TIP Main Office 300 Fuller Street Durham, NC 27701 7talentsearch@tip.duke.edu (919) 668-9100

Duke TIP Florida Office Kim Thomas-Cain kthomascain@tip.duke.edu (941) 376-4086

Duke TIP Texas Office Traci Guidry tguidry@tip.duke.edu (512) 473-8400

¿Necesita ayuda? Favor de contactar a: tguidry@tip.duke.edu o llame al (512) 473-8400.

IDENTIFYUsing standardized grade-level tests,

identify students who perform in the top 5 percent academically or who have the

potential to be outstanding scholars.tip.duke.edu/7identify

NOTIFYNotify families of their students’ eligibility

for TIP using materials we provide, including a brochure, an invitation form, and an

electronic template for email noti�cation.tip.duke.edu/7toolkit

CELEBRATEYour school may want to recognize its TIP

students through a special recognition ceremony or achievement award. We o�er suggestions and a script to help.

tip.duke.edu/7toolkit

YOUR ROLE IN THE PROCESS

Gifted students take above-grade-level tests through TIP,

are recognized for academic achievement, and are challenged by advanced educational programs and

enrichment bene�ts that last through twelfth grade.

Teachers, counselors, and administrators serve their gifted students more easily, receive

research-based advice on gifted education, and can access curriculum resources and

activity ideas that bene�t the entire classroom.

Parents can more accurately assess the potential of their gifted children, learn how to support their students’ special academic and social needs, and access

TIP’s gifted experts for advice.

TIP schools receive resources that show the community they support

academic achievement and are guided by TIP on how to recognize and

challenge their very best students.

IT ALL STARTS WITH youDuke TIP benefits you, your students, and your school.

1 2 3

STUDENTS

EDUCATORS FAMILIES

SCHOOLS

INVITATION FORM <Place school letterhead over the paragraph below.>EDUCATORS: Use this invitation to notify students of their eligibility by filling in the fields below, pasting your school’s letterhead over this section, then reproducing the invitation. Before giving to students, fill in the student’s name, your Duke TIP School ID, and the student’s qualifying test information. You can also find an editable Word version of this invitation in English or Spanish at tip.duke.edu/7toolkit that includes a test center recommendation section.

Dear ____________________________________________ ,

Congratulations! Due to your excellent performance on a recent grade-level standardized test, you are qualified to participate in the Duke University Talent Identification Program’s 2018–2019 7th Grade Talent Search. Since 1980, Duke TIP, a non profit organization, has provided a variety of programs and resources to help academically talented students like you reach their full potential. Very few students qualify for Duke TIP, so it is an honor to be invited to participate. Please see the enclosed talent search brochure or visit tip.duke.edu/7gts for more details.

Next StepsTo join the 7th Grade Talent Search, you must enroll online at tip.duke.edu/enroll or submit a paper application to Duke TIP. You will have the opportunity to take either the ACT or SAT as an above-level test. As part of the talent search enrollment, you will select one test date and a testing location, and Duke TIP will register you for that test.

The following information will assist you in completing your enrollment:

Your Duke TIP School ID (see tip.duke.edu/7id): ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ – ______ ______ (six numbers) (two letters)

Your Qualifying Test Score:

_____________________________________ _____________________________________ __________________Test Name Subtest Name Score**If using a paper application and you have a 3- or 4-digit scale score; simply fill in the oval under 99 percent under the appropriate subtest.

ACT and SAT Test SelectionEnrolling online is fast and easy and provides the greatest number of test dates. Test dates and deadlines are listed in the chart below. An ACT and SAT test center look-up tool is found at tip.duke.edu/7testcenters. The earlier you test, the sooner you may access your benefits, so please enroll as soon as possible.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact me or call Duke TIP directly at (919) 668-9100.

Congratulations again on this honor!

Best Regards,

_______________________________________________________Name

_______________________________________________________Contact Phone Number and/or Email Address

This is NOT an ID form for entrance into the ACT or SAT. Accepted forms of ID are found at tip.duke.edu/7testday.

INV

ITA

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Test Test DatePaper Application Postmark Deadline

(Nov, Dec, Feb test dates)

Online Enrollment Deadline (all test dates)

ACT 10/27/18 — 9/19/18

SAT 11/3/18 9/10/18 9/26/18

SAT 12/1/18 10/10/18 10/24/18

ACT 12/8/18 10/10/18 10/24/18

ACT 2/9/19 12/13/18 1/8/19

SAT 3/9/19 — 1/30/19

ACT 4/13/19 — 2/27/19

SAT 5/4/19 — 3/27/19

SAT 6/1/19 — 4/30/19

ACT 6/8/19 — 4/30/19

FINANCIAL AID FORM <Place school letterhead over the paragraph below.>DIRECTIONS: Students requesting financial aid must present Duke TIP with written verification that they qualify for free or reduced lunch at your school. They must submit this form on school letterhead or provide a copy of their free or reduced lunch approval paperwork. Educators submitting applications in bulk for their school may list all eligible students on one financial aid form or attach a list. Submit by upload, email, fax, or mail (see step 4 below). This form is also available in an editable Word version in both English and Spanish at tip.duke.edu/7toolkit.

Date: ____________________________________

Re: Financial Aid Form for the 2018–2019 Duke TIP 7th Grade Talent Search

To Whom It May Concern:

This financial aid form certifies that the student listed below is eligible to receive financial aid from the Duke University Talent Identification Program for participation in the 7th Grade Talent Search. This form does not certify that the student listed below takes part in the free or reduced lunch program, only that he/she is eligible under program guidelines.

A reduced fee of $30 is still required for enrollment, and enrollment is not complete until payment is made.

Student Name:

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Sincerely,

______________________________________ __________________________________________________ Print Name of Counselor, Teacher, or School Official Name of School

______________________________________ __________________________________________________ Signature of Counselor, Teacher, or School Official City and State

INSTRUCTIONS:

If enrolling online, carefully follow this step-by-step process:

Step 1: Create a new account or log into your existing account at tip.duke.edu/enroll and select and fill out the 7th Grade Talent Search enrollment.

Step 2: Check the box on the financial aid page that indicates the student is eligible for free or reduced lunch.

Step 3: Finish the talent search enrollment by submitting a payment of $30 by Discover, MasterCard, or Visa.

Step 4: Submit this financial aid form by one of the following four methods.

• Upload: scan this financial aid form and upload at tip.duke.edu/7upload • Email: scan this financial aid form and send by email as an attachment to 7talentsearch@tip.duke.edu • Fax: (919) 668-9139 • Mail: Duke TIP 7th Grade Talent Search Financial Aid, 300 Fuller Street, Durham, NC 27701

If enrolling by paper application, include this financial aid form (or free or reduced lunch approval paperwork) with the application and reduced fee of $30. Make check or money order for $30 payable to Duke University.

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