Educator Guide

Enrollment is now 100 percent online! And check out our new, easy-to-distribute

student invitation inside! NEW NEW

ENROLLMENT ENROLLMENT DEADLINE!DEADLINE!

4TH–6TH GRADE TALENT SEARCH

2019–2020Duke University Talent Identification Program

HELP YOUR GIFTED AND TALENTED STUDENTS REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL BY INVITING THEM TO JOIN DUKE TIP

TO FIND MORE INFORMATION, VISIT TIP.DUKE.EDU/456GTS

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ow 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.

Since 1980, 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.

Our services are designed to complement your own efforts. 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 YouStudents join TIP by enrolling in our 4th–6th Grade Talent Search. But as a nonprofit organization, we depend on educators like you to identify the students who would benefit from our offerings. Your role in the process is to identify qualified students and notify them of this opportunity. Once families accept the invitation and enroll in TIP, their students 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, regardless of their family’s income level. We are working hard to remove financial barriers to educational success and are committed to expanding the reach of gifted education. That’s why we awarded over $4.1 million in need-based financial aid last year to students participating in Duke TIP.

For the 4th–6th Grade Talent Search, we offer two types of financial aid for any student who is eligible for free or reduced lunch. All eligible students can request aid, making talent search enrollment free. A limited amount of financial aid is also available to cover the $42 PSAT 8/9 test fee, granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

We provide a financial aid form at tip.duke.edu/456toolkit and on page 5 of this guide that you can print and fill out for families, or they can submit a copy of their free or reduced lunch approval paperwork directly to TIP when they enroll.

Use Title 1 or Special FundingMany schools choose to pay their students’ enrollment fees using local Title I or other special program funding. This year, we’re offering a new group enrollment system to make doing so even easier. Schools can now request a unique group code that their students can enter when enrolling online. Educators will then be able to track their students’ enrollments online. Visit tip.duke.edu/456notify for more information on how to pay for your students’ enrollments.

Learn even more about our 4th–6th Grade Talent Search and

educator support at tip.duke.edu/456gts.

Support your brightest students

4TH–6TH GRADE TALENT SEARCH 1

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Your Role: A Step-by-Step GuideStep 1: Identify qualified students

Duke TIP’s 4th–6th Grade Talent Search is open to current fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade students who qualify through one of these four methods:

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

2. Scoring at or above the 95th percentile on a grade-level 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. On the invitation, indicate “educator recommendation” as the qualifying test name and leave subtest and score blank.

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/456identify.

• 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 the most recent test results for your state haven’t been released by September 2019, we recommend using 2018 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 eligibility

Once you’ve identified your students, it’s time to let them know they are eligible to join Duke TIP. We provide a number of resources to make it easy for you. NEW this year: we combined our brochure and invitation into one form (see insert) to simplify notification. There are no more paper applications to worry about either—we’re using 100 percent online enrollment now. All you have to do is personalize the invitation with the student’s name and qualifying test score information. Families will need this information to complete the online enrollment.

Give all eligible students the personalized invitation to take home to their parents. In addition, students who are eligible for free or reduced lunch should receive a financial aid form (see page 5). Once you have handed out the information, the families will take it from there and enroll online at tip.duke.edu/enroll.

Visit tip.duke.edu/schoolupdate to request more invitations, or tip.duke.edu/456toolkit to download invitation forms, financial aid forms, enrollment instructions, and more (in English and Spanish). If you find it easier to photocopy forms and fill them out by hand, you may use the invitation and financial aid form included in this guide.

Students who have enrolled in a prior year should not re-enroll: Students enroll only once, and benefits are provided until the end of the sixth-grade year. You may request a list of currently enrolled students at any time by emailing 456talentsearch@tip.duke.edu.

Step 3: Celebrate your school’s TIP participantsAs a final step, many schools choose to hold local awards assemblies in the spring to honor their TIP participants. If you’d like to celebrate your students, you may request a list of your enrollees at any time by emailing 456talentsearch@tip.duke.edu.

We provide a sample ceremony script and a certificate template at tip.duke.edu/456toolkit. 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

TO FIND MORE INFORMATION, VISIT TIP.DUKE.EDU/456GTS2

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Fees and DeadlinesFor a onetime, nonrefundable enrollment fee of $40, 4th–6th Grade Talent Search participants receive a variety of benefits through the end of sixth grade that meet their social, emotional, and academic needs. Optional PSAT 8/9 testing is available for an additional $42 nonrefundable test fee. A financial aid form can be found on page 5. For the 4th–6th Grade Talent Search, we offer two types of financial aid for any student who is eligible for free or reduced lunch. All eligible students can request aid, making talent search enrollment free. A limited amount of financial aid is also available to cover the $42 PSAT 8/9 test fee, granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Be sure to identify and notify earlyEnrollment is open from October 1, 2019, through April 30, 2020. Earlier deadlines apply if students wish to register for the PSAT 8/9 test this year. It’s best to identify students as early as possible, both so they have a chance to register for the optional PSAT 8/9 assessment, and so they can begin taking advantage of their benefits as soon as possible.

PSAT 8/9 TEST DATE

ONLINE ENROLLMENT DEADLINE

1/18/2020 12/09/2019

2/8/2020 1/06/2020

2/9/2020 1/06/2020

» Testing Exceptions—Visit tip.duke.edu/psat89ssd for information about testing accommodations for students with disabilities.

» Testing locations are available at tip.duke.edu/psat89signup.

Learn more about the PSAT 8/9, including test center locations and how to prepare, at tip.duke.edu/psat89.

If your school or district is interested in hosting

PSAT 8/9 testing for talent search students, please contact us by email at

psat89tip@tip.duke.edu.

4TH–6TH GRADE TALENT SEARCH 3

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EFITSBenefitsStudents enroll once and receive the following benefits until the end of sixth grade. Student benefits are design to be completed at home as students’ time and level of interest allow, with monthly benefit reminders and program announcements sent via email.

Educational Guidance Email: 456talentsearch@tip.duke.edu

Parents and teachers of talent search participants have access to TIP’s experienced gifted education experts via email or phone when they need guidance.

Connections to Other Opportunities tip.duke.edu/opportunity-guide

We share advice and resources that families can use to find programs, contests, and scholarships of special interest to high-achieving students.

Gifted Today giftedtoday.org

This online publication for educators and parents includes recent research findings, an extensive library of articles, advice from experts, and other news from the field of gifted education.

Recognition tip.duke.edu/456recognition

We celebrate students’ accomplishments by awarding certificates and providing educators with tools to recognize students at their schools.

Writing and Illustration Contest tip.duke.edu/writingcontest

This annual contest invites students to submit short stories and artwork based on a unique prompt. Winners and their schools receive cash prizes.

Book Club tip.duke.edu/456benefits

Participants can join the bimonthly online book club, which features activities, guided reading questions, and discussions that bring out different elements of each book.

Navigator

This online monthly publication for gifted students explores new subjects through feature articles, interviews with experts, advice, and opportunities for TIPsters to contribute.

Above-Grade-Level Testing tip.duke.edu/psat89

With an additional fee of $42, participants can take the optional PSAT 8/9 assessment each year. TIP posts a results summary online to help interpret the scores.

PSAT 8/9

4 TO FIND MORE INFORMATION, VISIT TIP.DUKE.EDU/456BENEFITS

How Above-Grade-Level Testing HelpsOne of the benefits offered to 4th–6th Grade Talent Search participants is the chance to take the PSAT 8/9 as an above-grade-level test. Grade-level exams can only measure whether students have mastered grade-level material—they can’t tell you how far above grade level a student’s abilities might go. But an above-grade-level test can. Taking the PSAT 8/9 at this early age may offer crucial insights into students’ abilities, academic strengths, and educational needs.

Designed as a low-stakes diagnostic tool, the test is optional and does not impact what programs students can participate in. Students have the opportunity to test each year they are a member of the talent search.

Students may also use their PSAT 8/9 test to qualify for the 7th Grade Talent Search.

TIP’s Educational ProgramsThe 4th–6th Grade Talent Search is an entry point to TIP’s educational programs. Our educational programs charge additional fees, but financial aid is available.

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Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6

CRISIS

Academic Adventures

eInvestigators

One-week, experiential learning summer residential programs. tip.duke.edu/solvethecrisis

Intensive one-day courses. tip.duke.edu/aap

Month-long, interactive online investigation to solve an academic mystery. tip.duke.edu/crackthecase

4TH–6TH GRADE TALENT SEARCH

FINANCIAL AID FORM <Place school letterhead over the paragraph below.>DIRECTIONS: Students who are requesting financial aid for the 4th–6th Grade Talent Search must present Duke TIP with written verification that they qualify for free or reduced lunch at their schools. They must submit this form on school letterhead (or provide a copy of their free or reduced lunch approval paperwork). Multiple students may be listed on one form or on an attached list. This form is also available in an editable Word version in both English and Spanish at tip.duke.edu/456toolkit.

Date: ____________________________________

Re: Financial Aid Form for the 4th–6th Grade Talent Search

To Whom It May Concern:

This financial aid form certifies the student(s) listed below is eligible to receive financial aid from the Duke University Talent Identification Program for participation in the 2019–2020 4th–6th Grade Talent Search. This form does not certify that the student(s) listed below takes part in the free or reduced lunch program, only that he/she qualifies under program guidelines.

Student Name(s):

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Sincerely,

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

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

INSTRUCTIONS:

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 4th–6th Grade Talent Search enrollment.

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

Step 3: Complete all screens and submit the online enrollment.

Step 4: Provide a copy of this financial aid form (or a copy of your free or reduced lunch approval paperwork) by one of the following four methods within two weeks of enrollment:

• Upload: scan this financial aid form and upload at tip.duke.edu/456upload• Email: scan this financial aid form and send by email as an attachment to 456talentsearch@tip.duke.edu• Fax: (919) 668-9139• Mail: Duke TIP 4th–6th Grade Talent Search, Attn: Financial Aid, 300 Fuller Street, Durham, NC 27701

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Contact UsDuke TIP Main Office 300 Fuller Street Durham, NC 27701 456talentsearch@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.

Looking for More Information?To request talent search invitations, update contact information, and sign up for email announcements, visit tip.duke.edu/schoolupdate.

Educator BenefitsIf 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.

You can also learn about the latest research in the field of gifted education by checking out Gifted Today at giftedtoday.org. This blog contains articles from TIP’s accomplished research staff, advice based on that research, and opinions from gifted education experts.

Did you know that Duke TIP also has a talent search

for seventh graders?

Go to tip.duke.edu/7gts to learn more.

Enrollment for the 7th Grade Talent Search

opened August 1.TIP.DUKE.EDU