For more information, please visit www.tip.duke.edu

This is what DUKE TIP is….

The Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP) identifies gifted children and provides resources to nurture the development of these exceptionally bright youngsters. Giftedness is greatly misunderstood, and children with advanced intellectual and academic abilities continually perplex and challenge educators and parents. Duke TIP is committed to serving this unique group of students by providing services and programs beyond what is offered in the classroom. Often schools do not have the resources and staff to adequately provide for the academic challenges and social and emotional support that gifted children require. Through Duke TIP a whole range of activities and programs are accessible to parents and teachers to meet the individual needs of gifted children.

Duke TIP provides students with the opportunity to learn more about their abilities. In fourth and fifth grade, qualifying students may participate in Duke TIP’s 4th/5th Grade Talent Search (formerly MAP) program and may take advantage of its optional above-level testing. Through Duke TIP’s 7th Grade Talent Search program, which focuses on the identification, recognition, and support of high-ability seventh graders, students take college entrance exams alongside high school students. A large number of 7th grade Talent Search participants earn scores that many high school seniors would envy.

Beginning at critical points in education, Duke TIP gives students a chance to learn more about their abilities. Through identification, recognition, information, advocacy, challenging educational programs, and research, Duke TIP offers a wide array of services to students, their parents, educators, and schools. Duke TIP enjoys a long history of supporting and extending local efforts to better understand, motivate, enrich, and academically challenge the brightest students in our nation.

The Talent Search, is now beginning its twenty-fifth year and is the largest program of its kind in the nation, representing participation from 6,246 junior high and middle schools in the Duke TIP 16-state region. Over 1.5 million students have completed the Talent Search since its inception in 1980. The Talent Search identifies academically talented 7th graders based on standardized test scores achieved while attending elementary or middle school. Candidates are identified and invited to complete either the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT Assessment college entrance examination. Duke TIP then provides the participants with comparative information concerning their academic abilities and resources for unique educational opportunities.