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<strong>March 2013 </strong></font></div>
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<font color="#000080" face="Arial" size="1"> <a target="_blank" href="http://mail.aol.com/37605-111/cs_com-6/en-us/Lite/MsgRead.aspx?folder=NewMail&uid=27450029&seq=28&searchIn=none&searchQuery=&start=0&sort=received&sortDir=descending#NewInGiftedEducation"><font color="000080">What's New in Gifted Education</font></a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://mail.aol.com/37605-111/cs_com-6/en-us/Lite/MsgRead.aspx?folder=NewMail&uid=27450029&seq=28&searchIn=none&searchQuery=&start=0&sort=received&sortDir=descending#NewDITD"><font color="000080">Davidson News</font></a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://mail.aol.com/37605-111/cs_com-6/en-us/Lite/MsgRead.aspx?folder=NewMail&uid=27450029&seq=28&searchIn=none&searchQuery=&start=0&sort=received&sortDir=descending#LegislativeNews"><font color="000080">Legislative & Policy News</font></a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://mail.aol.com/37605-111/cs_com-6/en-us/Lite/MsgRead.aspx?folder=NewMail&uid=27450029&seq=28&searchIn=none&searchQuery=&start=0&sort=received&sortDir=descending#OnTheWeb"><font color="000080">On the Web</font></a></font><font color="#000080" face="Arial" size="1"> | <a target="_blank" href="http://mail.aol.com/37605-111/cs_com-6/en-us/Lite/MsgRead.aspx?folder=NewMail&uid=27450029&seq=28&searchIn=none&searchQuery=&start=0&sort=received&sortDir=descending#InTheNews"><font color="000080">In the News</font></a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://mail.aol.com/37605-111/cs_com-6/en-us/Lite/MsgRead.aspx?folder=NewMail&uid=27450029&seq=28&searchIn=none&searchQuery=&start=0&sort=received&sortDir=descending#InTheSpotlight"><font color="000080">In the
Spotlight</font></a> </font><font size="1">
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<b><font color="#000099" face="Verdana" size="3">
<a name="NewInGiftedEducation"> </a>What's New in Gifted Education</font></b>
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<font color="#000099" face="Verdana" size="2"><b>Intel Science Talent Search Honoring
America's Young Scientists </b></font><br>
<img src="http://news.ditd.org/March_13/inin.jpg" alt="Intel STS" align="right" border="0" height="202" hspace="13" vspace="3" width="207"><font face="Arial" size="2">Innovation and future promise
were on full display recently as some of the brightest young
scientists in America were honored for their significant,
groundbreaking projects as the winners of the
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/1444/0/">2013 Intel Science Talent Search (STS)</a>. 2012 Davidson Fellow Laureate
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2465/0/">Sara Volz</a>
won the top award of $100,000 for
her her research on establishing economically feasible algae
biofuels; second place winner Jonah Kallenbach was awarded $75,000 for
his bioinformatics study
that predicts protein binding for drug therapy, opening doors to
treatment for
diseases; and third place finisher Adam Bowman received $50,000 for
successfully designing and building a compact and inexpensive,
low-energy, pulsed plasma device.<br>
<br>
Congratulations to 2012 Davidson Fellow
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2466/0/">Naomi Shah</a> and 2011 Davidson Fellow <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2467/0/">Raja Selvakumar</a>, who were also recognized as finalists.
View the
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2468/0/">press release</a>
and
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2469/0/">
click here</a> for a detailed description of each of the
finalists' projects. Sources:
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2470/0/">New York Times</a>,
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2471/0/">
Chemical & Engineering News</a> </font> <br>
<br>
<font face="Arial" size="2"><b><font color="#000099" face="Verdana" size="2">National Association for Gifted Children New Administrator Toolbox</font></b><br>
<font face="arial" size="2"><img src="http://news.ditd.org/March_13/toolbox.jpg" alt="NAGC" align="right" border="0" hspace="13" vspace="3">With short videos, factsheets, diagrams and a program evaluation checklist, the
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/326/0/">National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC)</a>
recently launched a new webpage for school district leaders and
administrators across the nation to help them better serve high-ability
learners. Called the
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2472/0/">
<strong>Administrator Toolbox</strong></a>, these free resources
were compiled by NAGCs Administrator Task Force due to the increasing
number of requests from administrators and to help them with briefing
materials about gifted education, and tools to advocate
and implement services for gifted students. Source:
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2473/0/">
Education Week Teacher</a><font face="Arial" size="2"><br>
<br>
<b><font color="#000099" face="Verdana" size="2">Ability
Grouping on the Rise</font></b><br>
<img src="http://news.ditd.org/March_13/brook3.jpg" alt="Ability Grouping" align="left" border="0" hspace="13" vspace="3">Based
on more than 20 years of research, a new <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2474/0/">
Brookings Institution report (PDF)</a> suggests that
elementary school teachers are now comfortable placing
students into "ability groups" despite decades of
controversy. The research finds that between 1998 and 2009, the
percentage of fourth grade teachers who said they created ability-based
reading groups
increased from 28
percent to 71 percent. In math, between 1996 and 2011, the practice
rose from 40
percent to 61 percent. The practice remained fairly constant in
eighth-grade math, rising from 71
percent to 76 percent. Sources:
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2475/0/">
Brookings Institute</a>,
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2476/0/">
USA Today</a>,
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2477/0/">
Washington Post <em>(op-ed)</em></a>.
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2478/0/">
Discuss this</a> on the Gifted Issues Discussion Forum. </font></font><br>
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<font color="#000080" face="Verdana" size="3"><b> <a name="NewDITD"> </a>Davidson News</b></font>
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<font face="Arial" size="2"><b><font color="#000099" face="Verdana" size="2">The Davidson Academy of Nevada
</font></b><font face="Arial" size="2"><br>
<img src="http://news.ditd.org/March_13/pan2.jpg" alt="The Davidson Academy" align="right" border="0" hspace="13" vspace="3">A free public school, <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/473/0/">The Davidson Academy of Nevada</a>
encourages and supports the abilities, strengths, and
interests of profoundly gifted middle and high school
students who score in the 99.9th percentile on IQ or college
entrance tests, such as the SAT or ACT. Prospective
students interested in receiving email updates about the
Academy can subscribe to <i>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/1076/0/">The Davidson Academy eNewsletter</a></i> by
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/962/0/">clicking here</a>.</font><br>
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<img src="http://news.ditd.org/November_08/fellows_logo2.JPG" alt="Davidson Fellows" align="right" border="0" height="52" hspace="13" vspace="4" width="145"><b><font color="#000099" face="Verdana" size="2">2014 Davidson Fellows Scholarship</font><br>
</b><font width="165" height="108" face="Arial" size="2">
The Davidson Institute offers $10,000, $25,000 and $50,000
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/1079/0/">Davidson
Fellows</a> scholarships to students whose projects have the potential
to benefit society, and are at the college graduate level.
Application categories are in the STEM fields, Humanities
and Outside the Box. Applicants must be 18 or
younger as of October 10, 2014 to be eligible</font><font width="165" height="108" face="Arial" size="1"><font size="2">.</font>
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<font color="#000099" face="Verdana" size="3"><b> <a name="LegislativeNews"> </a>Legislative & Policy News</b>
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<font color="#000099" face="verdana" size="2"><b>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/1284/0/">
CALIFORNIA</a></b></font> Santa Barbara school district officials
recently received a suggestion from the gifted education coordinator to
lower the cut-off scores for placing English-language learners into
gifted programs. Under the proposed scenario, the district could decide
to place 29 more students who are English-language learners into the
program, increasing the overall percentage of English-language learners
to 26 percent from 2 percent. Source:
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2479/0/">Santa Barbara Independent</a><br>
<br>
<img src="http://news.ditd.org/March_13/legis55.jpg" alt="Gifted Legislation" align="right" border="0" hspace="12" vspace="2"><font color="#000099" face="verdana" size="2"><b><a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/1355/0/">COLORADO</a></b></font>
Denver Public Schools recently received a $3 million federal grant that
will provide early college options for students in 10 city schools. The
grant will be implemented over five years to expand the early college
experience model, and give these students the chance to complete a
semester to two years of college for free. Source:
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2480/0/">Denver Post</a><br>
<br>
<font color="#000099" face="verdana" size="2"><b>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/1156/0/">
CONNECTICUT</a></b></font> The New London, Windham and Bridgeport
school districts will implement school-wide models of the Renzulli
Gifted and Talented Academy used in Hartford. As part of a $500,000
grant from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, teachers for the new
academies will undergo "mini-internships" conducted by the University of
Connecticut. Source:
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2481/0/">Hartford Courant</a><br>
<br>
While
the New London school district will receive funding for teacher
training, they have eliminated a proposal to develop a program for
gifted and talented students. Source:
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2482/0/">TheDay.com</a><br>
<br>
State
Senator Toni Boucher is proposing the establishment of an "academically
gifted advancement program" in the state that would allow gifted high
school juniors to take a qualifying test and apply to waive their final
year of high school in order to attend college early. Source:
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2483/0/">New Canaan News</a><br>
<br>
<font color="#000099" face="verdana" size="2"><b>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2484/0/">
DELAWARE</a></b></font> Rep. Darryl Scott has sponsored a bill that
would provide two-year, start-up grants to public schools that create
programs for gifted students. If funded by the state legislature, the
grants would be eligible for grades K-12. Source:
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2485/0/">WDEL</a><br>
<br>
<font color="#000099" face="verdana" size="2"><b>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/1158/0/">
GEORGIA</a></b></font> Gifted services through Rockdale County Public
Schools have increased 53.4 percent over the past two years. From the
2010-11 school year to the 2012-13 school year, there was an 80 percent
increase in elementary school students in the gifted program. School
officials cite one reason for the growth as a system that is better at
identifying qualified students. Source:
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2486/0/">Rockdale Citizen</a><br>
<br>
<font color="#000099" face="verdana" size="2"><b>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/1161/0/">
IDAHO</a></b></font> Idaho will launch a pilot program in the fall,
partnering with the Khan Academy to provide free, online access to math,
physics and history classes, becoming the first state to do so. The
program, to be implemented in 47 schools, is funded through a $1.5
million grant from the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation. Source:
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2487/0/">KBOI-AM</a><br>
<br>
<font color="#000099" face="verdana" size="2"><b><a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/1050/0/">ILLINOIS</a></b></font>
More than 3,000 third graders were tested recently for inclusion in
the Elgin-based School District U-46 gifted and talented programs. This
is the first year since 2004 the district has screened all third graders
rather than just a portion. Source:
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2488/0/">Chicago Daily Herald</a><br>
<br>
<font color="#000099" face="verdana" size="2"><b><a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2489/0/">MISSISSIPPI</a></b></font>
The Lowndes County School District has dropped its gifted program for
seventh and eighth graders at New Hope Middle School, replacing it with a
"Pre-Advanced Placement" system. Source:
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2490/0/">Columbus Packet</a><br>
<br>
<font color="#000099" face="verdana" size="2"><b>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/978/0/">
MISSOURI</a></b></font>
The Missouri Senate recently gave first-round approval to a new bill
that would require the State Board of Education to appoint a staff
person to lead and oversee educational programs for gifted and talented
students. The legislation would create an advisory council on the
Education of Gifted and Talented Children. Source:
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2491/0/">UM Maneater</a><br>
<br>
<font color="#000099" face="verdana" size="2"><b>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/1463/0/">
NEW JERSEY</a></b></font> The Fort Lee School District will merge a
number of Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB)
classes to save money, and to help students who want to take courses in
both programs. After completion, the IB students will take the IB exams;
both AP and IB students will be able to take AP exams. Source:
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2492/0/">NorthJersey.com</a><br>
<br>
A
Gifted and Talented Educational Services Planning Team comprised of
parents, students and staff members has been formed to help
the Trenton school district revive its gifted and talented program,
which was a victim of budget cuts several years ago.
Numerous programs for gifted students across the state have been cut in
recent
years due to tight budgets. Sources:
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2493/0/">NJ.com</a>,
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2494/0/">NorthJersey.com</a> <br>
<br>
The Millstone Township school district is in the process of implementing a multi-tiered gifted and talented program. Source:
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2495/0/">CentralJersey.com</a><br>
<br>
<font color="#000099" face="verdana" size="2"><b>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2251/0/">
NEW MEXICO</a></b></font>
Governor Susana Martinez is seeking $500,000 from the state
legislature to replicate one schools early college model and implement
it in four or five other schools in the state. Source:
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2496/0/">Las Cruces Sun-News</a><br>
<br>
<font color="#000099" face="verdana" size="2"><b>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/979/0/">
NEW YORK</a></b></font> New York City school officials have changed
admissions tests for the city's gifted programs to help account for
various factors that can affect scores, including excessive test
preparation. The change has created a debate among test preparation
companies, parents and educators about the effect tutoring can have on
student scores, and strategies schools can use to improve the
identification process for gifted education programs. Source:
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2497/0/">New York Times</a>
<br>
<br>
There are no plans to change admissions policies to New York City public
gifted and talented programs, despite the fact they have a
disproportionately low enrollment of minority students. The city has
recently come under fire for the racial composition of the programs.
Source:
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2498/0/">Wall Street Journal
</a>
<br>
<br>
In response to the Department of Educations recent proposal to downsize
the P.S. 122 Gifted and Talented program, parents from the school are
considering legal action. The latest in a number of plans for District
30, which covers Astoria, Long Island City, Sunnyside and Woodside,
would cut the Gifted and Talented program at P.S. 122 from 11 to three
classes, or about 60 seats, by 2019. Sources:
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2499/0/">DNA Info</a>,
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2500/0/">Queens Chronicle</a>
<br>
<br>
Students enrolled in the gifted program at P.S. 166 in Queens will be
guaranteed gifted middle school seats within the district, an assurance
parents have been fighting for the last few months. Current gifted
students at P.S. 166 will automatically transfer to a new gifted middle
school program the city is launching this fall at I.S. 126 in Long
Island City. Sources:
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2501/0/">DNA Info</a>,
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2502/0/">Queens Chronicle</a>
<br>
<br>
<img src="http://news.ditd.org/March_13/legis6.jpg" alt="Gifted Legislation" align="right" border="0" hspace="12" vspace="2">P.S. 15/The Roberto Clemente School in
Manhattan's East Village could be the site of a new gifted program this fall, provided there is strong demand for it. Source:
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2503/0/">DNA Info
</a>
<br>
<br>
<font color="#000099" face="verdana" size="2"><b>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/982/0/">
NORTH CAROLINA</a></b></font> The Charlotte-Mecklenburg school
district is offering high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to
earn college credits for free before graduation. The "cooperative
innovative high school" model calls for high schools to be established
on college campuses. Source:
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2504/0/">Charlotte Observer</a><br>
<br>
<font color="#000099" face="verdana" size="2"><b>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/984/0/">
OHIO</a></b></font> Ohio gifted education advocates are cautiously
awaiting details of Governor John Kasichs pledge to bolster support for
gifted programs as part of his recently announced education funding
plan. Kasichs plan would give districts $50 per student for gifted
programs, which
totals $85.2 million a year over the next two school years. Advocates
are seeking assurance that the funding would help gifted students
directly. Source:
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2505/0/">Columbus Dispatch</a>
<br>
<br>
The Knox County Educational Service Center is in danger of losing all of
the state foundation money it currently receives for gifted services.
Source:
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2506/0/">Mount Vernon News</a>
<br>
<br>
<font color="#000099" face="verdana" size="2"><b>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/1223/0/">
TEXAS</a></b></font> Trustees of Spring Branch Independent School District in Houston recently approved a plan to create an
academy for highly gifted students with IQ scores of 145 and above in grades K-4. Source:
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2507/0/">Your Houston News</a><br>
<br>
<font color="#000099" face="verdana" size="2"><b>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/991/0/">
VIRGINIA</a></b></font> The Fairfax County School Board recently
approved a wide-ranging study of gifted education as the school system
examines the future of its gifted programs. The study will
examine how students are identified for the services, how teachers are
certified to take part in the program, as well as how other districts
address gifted education. Source:
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2508/0/">Washington Post
</a>
<br>
<br>
The Fairfax County School Board also recently approved a modest
expansion of the gifted education program. Four new "advanced academic
centers" will be opened in the fall, three at elementary schools and one
at a middle school. Source:
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2509/0/">Washington Post
</a>
<br>
<br>
<font color="#000099" face="verdana" size="2"><b>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/1468/0/">
WISCONSIN</a></b></font> A proposal to expand the Challenge Program
for academically talented third- and fourth-graders in Janesville was
recently defeated. The proposed expansion would have changed the fact
that space limitations have caused the district to not serve all the
students who qualified for the magnet program over the last few years.
Source:
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2510/0/">Gazettextra
</a>
<br>
<br>
The Green Bay School District is planning to expand a program for
academically gifted students from Langlade Elementary School to Lombardi
Middle School next school year. Source: Green Bay Press Gazette
<em>(article no longer available online)</em>
<br>
<div align="center">
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/1042/0/">
<img src="http://news.ditd.org/November_12/imgStateMap.gif" alt="Davidson Institute Gifted State Policy Map" border="0" height="162" hspace="10" vspace="0" width="243"></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10" align="center">
<font color="#000000" face="Arial" size="1">How gifted-friendly is your state? Find out
on the
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/1042/0/">
Davidson Gifted Database State Policy Map</a>.
<br>
If you know of new legislation, please contact the <font color="#000000"><a href="mailto:admin@davidsongifted.org">Communications Team</a>.</font></font></div>
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<font color="#000099" face="Verdana" size="3"><b> <a name="OnTheWeb"> </a>On the Web</b></font>
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<font color="#000099" face="Verdana" size="2"><b>Gifted Exchange Blog</b></font><br>
<font face="Arial" size="2">Read Laura Vanderkam's take on all things gifted.
One of her recent posts is, "<i>Should gifted classes be open to all?</i>" Join the <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/587/0/">discussion</a>
today!<br>
<br>
<font color="#000099" face="Verdana" size="2"><b>Featured Articles and Resources</b></font><br>
<font width="67" height="94" face="Arial" size="2">The Davidson Gifted Database at <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/1049/0/">www.DavidsonGifted.org/DB</a> is a gateway to resources for
and about gifted students.</font>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/1472/0/">See what's new!</a><br>
<br>
<strong>Summer Camps</strong><br>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2511/0/">Beowulf Boot Camp</a>
for Louisiana high school students
will be held at Louisiana State University (LSU) in Baton Rouge this
July. During Beowulf Boot Camp, students will work with a number of LSU
professors
as they learn how to build and use supercomputers.<br>
<br>
<img src="http://news.ditd.org/November_12/eps.jpg" alt="Epsilon" align="left" border="0" height="64" hspace="10" vspace="5" width="202">Application season
is continuing for <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2379/0/">The Epsilon Camp</a>,
a two-week summer residential camp located in Colorado
Springs, Colo. for exceptionally and profoundly gifted
students ages 8-11 years who love math. Epsilon Camp is an
intellectually rigorous program taught
by university mathematics professors. A unique feature of
Epsilon Camp is apartment-style housing on campus for each
family; at least one parent must attend with each child, and
additional family members are also welcome. Space is limited. A workshop designed to
help parents to build mathematical and social maturity in
their child will run parallel to the student camp.
<br>
<br>
<img src="http://news.ditd.org/October_09/sig_logo.jpg" alt="SIG" align="right" border="0" height="67" hspace="12" vspace="0" width="139">The <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2039/0/">Summer Institute for the Gifted (SIG)</a>
offers three-week academic summer camps for gifted and talented students
ages 4 to 18, combining academics with engaging social, cultural and
recreational opportunities. Students can choose from 22 campuses, including <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2512/0/">University of Chicago</a>,
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2513/0/">Harvard</a> and
many more. <br>
<br>
<strong>Articles</strong><br>
The article, <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2514/0/">
Deferred, Waitlisted, Rejected, and Accepted - What does it all Mean?</a>, takes a look at the college application process.
<br>
<br>
Co-authored by noted gifted expert Jim Delisle and the Davidson Institute's own Erik Schwinger, the article, <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2515/0/">Gaining Wisdom by Giving Back: Helping Gifted Young People Help Others</a>,
takes a look at the Davidson Institute's Ambassador Program and provides information on mentoring and giving back.
<br>
<br>
The concept of principled negotiating is covered in the article, <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2516/0/">Taking on Advocacy as a Negotiator</a>.<br>
<br>
<img src="http://news.ditd.org/March_13/web.jpg" alt="Gifted Resources" align="right" border="0" hspace="12" vspace="3"><strong>Resources</strong><br>
Available in some states, <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2517/0/">EconChallenge</a> is an online competition for high school students during which winning teams can eventually compete at the national level.<br>
<br>
The <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2518/0/">Jack Kent Cooke Foundation</a> has announced the creation of a new scholarship program for graduating high school seniors.
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2519/0/">Jack Kent Cooke Scholars</a>
will receive up to $30,000 a year for four years to attend an
undergraduate institution, as well as college planning support and
advice and networking opportunities from the foundation's larger scholar
community. <br>
<br>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2520/0/">
Jump$tart</a> is a national coalition of organizations dedicated to
improving the financial literacy of pre-kindergarten through college-age
youth by providing advocacy, research, standards and educational
resources.<br>
<br>
The
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2521/0/">National Personal Finance Challenge</a>
is an opportunity for high school students to demonstrate their knowledge of
personal finance by competing with other students across the nation in a
three-round competition.<br>
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<font face="Arial" size="2"><br>
</font>
<font face="Arial" size="1">
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/1014/0/">Suggest a Resource</a>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/1304/0/">Suggest an Article</a></font><font face="Arial" size="2">
<br>
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<font color="#000099" face="Verdana" size="3"><b> <a name="InTheNews"> </a>In the News</b></font>
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<font size="1"> </font><br>
<font face="Arial" size="2">March 24 -
<font face="Arial" size="1"><i>New York Times,</i> </font>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2522/0/">Luring Young Web Warriors Is Priority. Its Also a Game</a></font>
<font face="Arial" size="1">(Nicole Perlroth)</font><br>
<font face="Arial" size="2">March 22 - <font face="Arial" size="1"><i>New
York Times,</i> </font>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2523/0/">Girls Excel in the Classroom but Lag in Entry to 8 Elite Schools in the City</a></font>
<font face="Arial" size="1">(Al Baker)</font><br>
<font face="Arial" size="2">March 20 -
<font face="Arial" size="1"><i>Washington Post,</i> </font>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2524/0/">AP good for high school, bad for college?</a></font>
<font face="Arial" size="1">(Jay Mathews)</font><br>
<font face="Arial" size="2">March 13 -
<font face="Arial" size="1"><i>Slate Magazine</i>, </font>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2525/0/">Who Should Be in the Gifted Program?</a></font>
<font face="Arial" size="1">(Sarah Garland)</font><br>
<font face="Arial" size="2">March 13 -
<font face="Arial" size="1"><i>
<font face="Arial" size="2">
<font face="Arial" size="1">Psychiatric Times</font></font></i>, </font>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2526/0/">Giftedness Should Not Be Confused With Mental Disorder</a></font><font face="Arial" size="1">
(Allen Frances)</font><br>
<font face="Arial" size="2">March 13 -
<font face="Arial" size="1"><i>
<font face="Arial" size="2">
<font face="Arial" size="1">Washington Post</font></font></i>, </font>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2527/0/">In a hurry to finish high school, but will parents allow it?</a></font><font face="Arial" size="1">
(Carolyn Hax)</font><br>
<font face="Arial" size="2">March 11 -
<font face="Arial" size="1"><i>
The Chronicle</i>, </font>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2528/0/">Top Students, Too, Aren't Always Ready for College</a></font><font face="Arial" size="1">
(Elaine Tuttle Hansen)</font><br>
<font face="Arial" size="2">March 11 -
<font face="Arial" size="1"><i>
Psychology Today</i>, </font>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2529/0/">Giftedness and Classroom Boredom: Maybe It's Not All Bad</a></font><font face="Arial" size="1">
(Christopher Taibbi)</font><br>
<font face="Arial" size="2">March 8 -
<font face="Arial" size="1"><i>Davis Enterprise</i>, </font>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2530/0/">The story of a gifted child</a></font>
<font face="Arial" size="1">(Anne Ternus-Bellamy)</font><br>
<font face="Arial" size="2">March 6 -
<font face="Arial" size="1"><i>Education Week</i>, </font>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2531/0/">Project Uses Famous Profiles to Identify Gifted, Creative Students</a></font>
<font face="Arial" size="1"> (Sarah D. Sparks)</font><br>
<font face="Arial" size="2">February 28 -
<font face="Arial" size="1">
<i>Psychology Today, </i> </font>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2532/0/">Gifted Children: Skipping Grades</a></font><font face="Arial" size="1">
(Joseph Cardillo)</font><br>
<font face="Arial" size="2">
February 25 - </font>
<i>
<font face="Arial" size="1">Middletown Patch</font></i><font face="Arial" size="2"><font face="Arial" size="1">, </font>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2533/0/">Monitoring Anxiety in Your Gifted Child</a></font>
<font face="Arial" size="1">(Dan Peters)</font><br>
<font face="Arial" size="2">February 20 - </font>
<i>
<font face="Arial" size="1">Washington Post</font></i><font face="Arial" size="2"><font face="Arial" size="1">, </font>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2534/0/">Missed challenges more worrisome than tests</a></font><font face="Arial" size="1">
(Jay Mathews)</font><br>
<font face="Arial" size="2">
February 15 - </font>
<i>
<font face="Arial" size="1">Wall Street Journal</font></i><font face="Arial" size="2"><font face="Arial" size="1">, </font>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2535/0/">A Genetic Code for Genius?</a></font><font face="Arial" size="1">
(Gautam Naik)</font><br>
<font face="Arial" size="2">February 10 -
<font face="Arial" size="1">
<i>Education Week Teacher</i>, </font>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2536/0/">Join the Gifted Education Outreach Corps</a></font>
<font face="Arial" size="1">(Tamara Fisher)</font><br>
<font face="Arial" size="2">
February 10 -
<font face="Arial" size="1"><i>New York Times</i>, </font>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2537/0/">Why can some kids handle pressure while others fall apart?</a></font><font face="Arial" size="1">
(Bronson & Merryman)</font><br>
<font face="Arial" size="2">
February 9 - <font face="Arial" size="1">
<i>Memphis Commercial Appeal,</i> </font>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2538/0/">Don't let programs for gifted students suffer</a></font><font face="Arial" size="1">
(Brandy DeWeese)</font><br>
<font face="Arial" size="2">
February 7 - <font face="Arial" size="1"><i>New York Times</i>, </font>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2539/0/">America's Genius Glut</a></font><font face="Arial" size="1">
(Ross Eisenbrey)</font><br>
<font face="verdana" size="1"><br>
Discuss these stories and
more on the <b>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/1025/0/">Gifted Issues Discussion Forum</a></b>.<br>
<br>
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<font color="#000099" face="Verdana" size="3"><b> <a name="InTheSpotlight"> </a>In the
Spotlight</b></font>
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<font color="#000099" face="Verdana" size="3"><b>Gabe Salmon, 17<br>
A Davidson Young Scholar Making a Difference</b></font>
</div>
<img src="http://news.ditd.org/March_13/Gabe.jpg" alt="In the Spotlight" align="right" border="0" height="152" hspace="10" vspace="3" width="175"><font face="Arial" size="2"><font color="#000099" face="Verdana" size="2"><strong>Tell us about your project.</strong></font><br>
Elaborate schemes to raise standardized test scores make the debate
about scientific education more convoluted that it should be. We tend to
forget that our most essential task is to promote innovation in the
wild
- to train more creative minds, to generate meaningful ideas more
readily in our chosen fields. So if our goal resides in the real world,
why do we turn to the classroom for inspiration? Why not move technical
education closer to the object of our preparation - novel research in
the laboratory or field?
<br>
<br>
The <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/2540/0/">Science Circle</a>
aims to bridge this divide between classroom and reality. We hold
monthly seminars connecting enthusiastic students with experienced
research professionals. Initially, each Science Circle event begins in
the manner of a professional research seminar. For 45-60 minutes, the
presenter delivers a presentation about new research emerging in his or
her discipline. Then something new happens. Students, energized by sheer
possibility, begin to grapple with the concepts, asking questions and
forming new connections under the guidance of the moderating presenter.
Individual questions motivate fresh themes to explore and inspire
cascades of inquiry. What begins as a presentation evolves into a
dynamic group discussion.
<br>
<br>
Teacher expertise is among the best predictors of students scholastic
performance. But these scientists go further than fulfilling a
pedagogical role. Such discussions are inherently powerful environments
for innovation. They reveal the majesty of scientific discovery that
only emerges from proximity to hard problems. In the process, we
participate in the cadence of creativity. Recent work by many scientists
and authors suggests that creative insight materializes in the
intersections of collective input: good ideas are grounded in collisions
of perspective. The Science Circle contributes an environment where
ideas coalesce into new insights.
<br>
<br>
Ultimately, the Science Circle seeks to fulfill the promise of
circularity. We hope to be an important step in the cycle of inspiration
and progress. Among the hundreds of students in the program, many find
that discovery is tangible, accessible. (Frequently, students connect
with scientists for research opportunities, bringing their education
closer to scientific relevance.) May the inspired themselves become
inspiring.
<br>
<br>
<font color="#000099" face="Verdana" size="2"><strong>How has the Young Scholars Ambassador program helped you to reach your goals and achieve your accomplishments?</strong></font><br>
The <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/665164/53568/1081/0/">Young
Scholars Ambassadors Program (YSAP)</a> represents a wonderful
platform to foster original social change. The web seminars
provide valuable context about the nature and diversity of
philanthropy. Our advisors, especially Erik Schwinger, are
imaginative and enthusiastic mentors, always encouraging us to enlarge
the possible.
In particular, the Ambassador program will continue to help
the Science Circle become a sustainable community venture
for local audiences and beyond.
The YSAP program itself operates in a noble tradition of philanthropy.
We are all grateful for the opportunity to learn from such dedicated
individuals.
<br>
<br>
<font color="#000099" face="Verdana" size="2"><strong>What are some of your short-term and long-term plans?</strong></font><br>
I aim to conduct research in my own laboratory someday. In particular,
Im interested in exploring the nature of (bio)molecular complexity. Im
excited by the biological opportunities afforded by modern
computational ability.
In the shorter term, I hope to use college and graduate school to better
understand what it means to generate insight in science.
<br>
<br>
<font color="#000099" face="Verdana" size="2"><strong>Please describe your academic setting and some positive experiences with mentors.</strong></font><br>
I study many of my classes independently. This promotes deeper
exploration of course material, and I am grateful for my academic
circumstances.
Im astonished at the generosity of scientists and professionals, busy
dreamers willing to share guidance and knowledge at the expense of their
time. In particular, a passionate scientist and his graduate students
at my local university have been incredible mentors, scientifically and
personally.
<br>
<br>
And then theres you - you are the students and teachers and individuals
who uphold inquiry as a human imperative. Who could be better mentors
than that?
<br>
<br>
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<b> <font color="#000099" face="Verdana" size="3">Closing Thought</font></b>
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<div align="center">
<font face="arial" size="3"><i>"The Intel Science Talent Search is an opportunity to reshape the dialogue around our
nations youth. We believe
its crucial to U.S. innovation to bring greater attention to math and science achievement,
encourage more youth to embrace these fields, and demonstrate the impact these<br>
subjects have
on our countrys future success."</i></font></div>
<div align="right">
<font face="arial" size="2"><i>~ Wendy Hawkins, Executive Director, Intel Foundation</i></font>
<i> <br>
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