<div style="font-family:arial;color:black;font-size:10pt;"> <font size="1"><i><font face="arial">If you have problems with this e-mail, please view
the online version (<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3077/0/">http://news.ditd.org/September_14/eNews_September14_web.htm</a>), <br>
located on the <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/998/0/">Davidson Gifted Database</a>. </font></i></font><br>
<br>
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<font style="text-align: right" size="4" color="#FFFFFF" face="Verdana">
<strong>September 2014 </strong></font></div>
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<font size="1" color="#000080" face="Arial"> <a href="http://mail.aol.com/38767-111/cs_com-6/en-us/Lite/MsgRead.aspx?folder=NewMail&uid=27685120&seq=22&searchIn=none&searchQuery=&start=0&sort=received&sortDir=descending#aolmail_NewInGiftedEducation"><font color="000080">What's New in Gifted Education</font></a> | <a href="http://mail.aol.com/38767-111/cs_com-6/en-us/Lite/MsgRead.aspx?folder=NewMail&uid=27685120&seq=22&searchIn=none&searchQuery=&start=0&sort=received&sortDir=descending#aolmail_NewDITD"><font color="000080">Davidson News</font></a> | <a href="http://mail.aol.com/38767-111/cs_com-6/en-us/Lite/MsgRead.aspx?folder=NewMail&uid=27685120&seq=22&searchIn=none&searchQuery=&start=0&sort=received&sortDir=descending#aolmail_LegislativeNews"><font color="000080">Legislative & Policy News</font></a> | <a href="http://mail.aol.com/38767-111/cs_com-6/en-us/Lite/MsgRead.aspx?folder=NewMail&uid=27685120&seq=22&searchIn=none&searchQuery=&start=0&sort=received&sortDir=descending#aolmail_OnTheWeb"><font color="000080">On the Web</font></a></font><font size="1" color="#000080" face="Arial"> | <a href="http://mail.aol.com/38767-111/cs_com-6/en-us/Lite/MsgRead.aspx?folder=NewMail&uid=27685120&seq=22&searchIn=none&searchQuery=&start=0&sort=received&sortDir=descending#aolmail_InTheNews"><font color="000080">In the News</font></a> | <a href="http://mail.aol.com/38767-111/cs_com-6/en-us/Lite/MsgRead.aspx?folder=NewMail&uid=27685120&seq=22&searchIn=none&searchQuery=&start=0&sort=received&sortDir=descending#aolmail_InTheSpotlight"><font color="000080">In the
Spotlight</font></a> </font>
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<b><font size="3" color="#000099" face="Verdana">
<a name="aolmail_NewInGiftedEducation"> </a>What's New in Gifted Education</font></b>
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<td><font width="67" height="94" size="2" face="Arial"> <b><font size="2" color="#000099" face="Verdana">
Announcing the 2014 Davidson Fellows </font></b><br>
<font size="2" face="Arial">
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/1079/0/"><img src="http://news.ditd.org/August_09/fellows_logo.jpg" alt="Davidson Fellows" align="left" border="0" height="67" hspace="10" vspace="5" width="188"></a>Meet the
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3078/0/">2014 Davidson Fellows</a>!
Davidson Fellows have completed graduate-level projects
or portfolios that have the potential to benefit society. Each will
receive a scholarship and be recognized for their achievements at a
special awards reception, sponsored by U.S. Senators Harry Reid (NV) and
Chuck Grassley (IA), in Washington, D.C.<br>
<br>
<strong>2015 Davidson Fellows Scholarship Applications</strong><br>
The
Davidson Institute offers $10,000, $25,000 and $50,000 scholarships to
students whose projects have the potential to benefit society, and are
equivalent to college graduate level with a depth of knowledge in
a particular area of study.
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3079/0/">
Category requirements</a> for the 2015 <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/1079/0/">Davidson Fellows</a>
scholarships are now availabl<span class="aolmail_style7">e.</span></font><br>
<br>
<font size="2" face="arial"><img src="http://news.ditd.org/July_14/dda2.jpg" alt="Dumbing Down America" align="right" border="0" height="144" hspace="7" vspace="2" width="96"><b><font size="2" color="#000099" face="Verdana">New Book
from Dr.
Jim Delisle Now Available</font></b><br>
At a time when the U.S. education system
consistently lags behind its international
peers, Dr. Jim Delisle's new book,
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3029/0/"><i>Dumbing Down America</i></a>,
shows exactly why America cant keep up by providing a
critical look at the nations schools through the eyes of
the children whose minds are languishing in countless
classrooms. Filled with specific examples of how gifted
children are being shortchanged by a nation that believes
smart kids will succeed on their own, the book packs a
powerful message: If we want our nation to prosper, we must
pay attention to its most intelligent youth. Now available,
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/2986/0/">order it today</a>!<br>
<br>
<font size="2" color="#000099" face="Verdana">
<b>New Home for Education Program for Gifted Youth (EPGY)</b></font><br>
<img src="http://news.ditd.org/September_14/GiftedandTalented_LockUp_Full-Color.png" alt="EPGY" align="right" height="81" vspace="6" width="254">GiftedandTalented.com is the new home of Stanford University
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3134/0/">Education Program for Gifted Youth (EPGY)</a>. Guided by ongoing
research at Stanford University, this website provides
educational tools to help advanced students and those
seeking academic excellence achieve their greatest
potential. The online K-12 courses in math, language arts,
science and computer programming feature a combination of
multimedia instruction and automated assessment that
provides students with a highly personalized, self-paced
learning experience. Courses include: varying levels of
algebra, geometry, calculus, physics, electricity &
magnetism and more.
Two types of courses are offered to meet the individual
needs of students and their families: tutor supported courses include the guidance and
instruction of expert tutors; and independent study courses allow students to work at their
own pace with the supervision of their parents. These online courses can be used with any connected device
and enrollment periods are quarterly. In only 20 minutes per
day, students can increase their educational foundation or
advance beyond what they have learned in the classroom.
Visit the <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3080/0/">website</a> today to see what courses are available.<br>
<br>
<font size="2" color="#000099" face="Verdana"><b>Restructuring of Stanfords Pre-Collegiate Offerings<img src="http://news.ditd.org/September_14/Stanford.png" alt="Stanford" align="right" height="83" width="169"></b></font><br>
Stanford Universitys <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3081/0/">Pre-Collegiate Studies</a>
now serves as a home for a variety of programs designed to serve
academically talented, intellectually curious pre-college students. It
offers academic full-year programs, including the Stanford Online High
School, University Level Online Math and Physics, and Math and Science
Circles, and summer programs including Stanford Summer College,
Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes for middle and high school, Stanford
University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC), Summer Humanities Institute (SHI),
Stanford Medical Youth Science Program and Stanford Youth Orchestra. The
new Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies structure allows these programs to
share expertise and resources; many students participate in more than
one program.
<br>
<br>
<font size="2" color="#000099" face="Verdana">
<strong>Largest Undergraduate Scholarship in the Nation Available to High-Achieving, Low-Income Students</strong></font><br>
<font width="67" height="94" size="2" face="arial">
<img src="http://news.ditd.org/September_14/JKCF.PNG" alt="The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation" align="left" height="60" width="225"></font>The
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
is accepting applications for its College Scholarship Program, the
largest undergraduate scholarship in the country. Recipients will be
awarded as much as $40,000
per year for four years for tuition, books, living expenses and
other required fees. Up to 40 spaces are available to high-achieving
high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend the nations
best four-year colleges and universities. To be eligible to apply
for this scholarship, applicants must plan to graduate from a U.S.
high school in
the spring of 2015 and enroll in an accredited four-year college in
the fall of 2015; earn a cumulative, unweighted
GPA of 3.5 or above; receive a SAT combined math and
critical reading score of 1200 or above or an ACT composite
score of 26 or above; and demonstrate unmet financial need.
The application period will
close on November 4, 2014. Final notification to accepted
students will be made in March 2015. For information about
the College Scholarship Program, click <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3082/0/">here</a>.<br>
<br>
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<font size="3" color="#000080" face="Verdana"><b> <a name="aolmail_NewDITD"> </a>Davidson News</b></font>
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<font size="2" face="Arial"><b>
<font size="2" color="#000099" face="Verdana">
<img src="http://news.ditd.org/September_14/DA1.jpg" alt="Students at Davidson Academy" align="right" height="152" width="201">The Davidson Academy of Nevada
</font></b><font size="2" face="Arial"><br>
A free public school, <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/473/0/">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. If you are interested in applying to The
Davidson Academy for the 2015-2016 school year, please review the
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/915/0/">
Qualification Criteria</a> and
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/1555/0/">
How to Apply</a> pages for more information.<br>
<br>
<span class="aolmail_style9">
<strong>Upcoming Tours for Prospective Students</strong></span><br>
Each
month during the school year, The Davidson Academy hosts a
tour for prospective students and their parents. Visitors
will meet current Academy students, parents,
faculty and staff, and ask specific questions about the
school. Upcoming school tours will be held on the
following Fridays: <strong>Sept. 26</strong>,<strong>
Oct. 24</strong>, <strong>Nov. 21</strong> and
<strong>Dec. 12</strong>. RSVPs are required. For additional details and to RSVP, please visit
the
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/1809/0/">Tours</a> page.</font><br>
<br>
<hr>
<font size="1" face="Arial">
<br>
<strong><font size="2" color="#000099" face="Verdana">
<img src="http://news.ditd.org/September_14/DA2.jpg" alt="Davidson Academy Students" align="right" height="118" width="184">Free
Guidebooks for Gifted Learners</font></strong><br>
<font size="2" face="arial">The Davidson Institute offers FREE, online access to
educational planning <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3083/0/">guidebooks</a> focused on
various topics such as advocacy, early college and
mentorships, gap year, homeschooling and giving
back. With a wide variety of articles and tools,
these comprehensive guidebooks help direct parents
and students through the process of searching for an
appropriately challenging educational setting.<br>
</font>
<font width="165" height="108" size="2" face="Arial"><br>
<hr>
<font size="1" face="Arial">
<br>
</font>
<img src="http://news.ditd.org/EdGuild/Newsletter/Teachers.jpg" alt="Educators Guild" align="right" border="0" height="56" hspace="13" vspace="4" width="236"><b><font size="2" color="#000099" face="Verdana">Educators Guild</font><br>
</b><font size="2" face="Arial">
The Davidson Institute's
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/999/0/">Educators Guild</a>
is a FREE national service for active elementary, secondary
and post-secondary educators, as well as other professionals
who are committed to meeting the unique academic needs of
gifted students. You can become a member of this free online community
by subscribing
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/801/0/">here</a>.
There is also an Educators Guild
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/2023/0/">discussion group on Facebook</a>
- join today!<br>
<br>
</font>
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<font size="3" color="#000099" face="Verdana"><b> <a name="aolmail_LegislativeNews"> </a>Legislative & Policy News</b>
</font></td>
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<font size="2" face="Arial">
<img src="http://news.ditd.org/September_14/DA3.jpg" alt="Deep Thought" align="right" height="119" width="169"><font size="2" color="#000099" face="verdana"><b><a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/1284/0/">CALIFORNIA</a></b></font> -
Encinitas Union School District recently revised their math acceleration
criteria seeking to lower gaps in students fundamental math knowledge by
increasing the difficulty to qualify for math acceleration. Source: <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3084/0/">Encinitas
Advocate</a><br>
<br>
<strong>
<font size="2" color="#000099" face="verdana"><a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/1355/0/">COLORADO</a></font>
- </strong>The Salida School District is changing its approach to and
the number of students in its gifted and talented program, by expanding
this years screenings for the gifted and talented program and growing
the program.
Source: <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3085/0/">The Mountain Mail</a><br>
<br>
<font size="2" color="#000099" face="verdana"><strong><a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/2484/0/">DELAWARE</a></strong></font> - Delaware State University announced the opening of their first Early
College High School earlier this month. This new tuition-free program
provides students the opportunity to participate in college courses while
attending high school. Through its partnership with EDWorks, Delaware State
allows students to complete up to four years of college courses, and up to 60
college credits, before their graduation from high school. Source: <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3086/0/">Digital
Journal</a><br>
<br>
<strong>
<font size="2" color="#000099" face="verdana">
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/968/0/">
FLORIDA</a></font>
- </strong>Dale County will be
observing all second graders as potential gifted students for their
gifted program. They will be using a behavior checklist that focuses on
aptitude, characteristics and performance. They are also asking for referrals
from any teachers, counselors, administrators, parents/guardians or peers
that know of an individual who may be qualified. Source: <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3087/0/">South East
Sun</a><br>
<br>
<font size="2" color="#000099" face="verdana"><b>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/1407/0/">
IOWA</a></b></font> - Due to a new grading system, Des Moines middle
schools will no longer offer stand-alone advanced English and science classes;
however, accelerated math courses will remain. Students will have the option of
completing honors-level assignments within general education classrooms or
taking accelerated courses at a magnet school near downtown.
Source: <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3088/0/">The Des Moines Register</a> <br>
<br>
<font size="2" color="#000099" face="verdana"><strong><a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/1359/0/">KENTUCKY</a> </strong></font>- Bullitt County
recently opened
Discovery School for middle school students. This school focuses on
offering
students gifted in math and science a more in-depth and accelerated education.
Students are able to begin earning high school credit in the sixth grade. Source:
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3089/0/">Courier-Journal</a><br>
<br>
<font size="2" color="#000099" face="verdana"><strong><a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/975/0/">MINNESOTA</a> </strong></font>-
Southgate Elementary School is hosting a new program for 19 top
students from the entire district. The program, called Pi Academy or
Personalized Instruction Academy, will include two first-graders, eight
second-graders, four third-graders and five fourth-graders who will be
learning together in one classroom with lessons based on skill level
versus grade level. The top 10 percent of students were invited last
year based upon data from reading, math and the cognitive abilities
tests.
Source: <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3090/0/">Austin Daily Herald</a><br>
<br>
<font size="2" color="#000099" face="verdana"><strong>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/2489/0/">MISSISSIPPI</a> </strong>
-</font> The gifted program
in Picayune school system is available for elementary school students in grades
second through sixth. Mass screening is done each year for students in the
first grade, however students can be screened at any time between second
and sixth grade. A student must score in the 91st percentile with an IQ of 120
to qualify for the program. Source: <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3091/0/">Picayune Item</a><br>
<br>
<strong>
<font size="2" color="#000099" face="verdana">
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/978/0/">MISSOURI</a></font></strong><span class="aolmail_style18"> </span>
- The Kearney School District announced a new name for their gifted program for
the 2014-2015 school year. The original title of the program Beyond Basics,
was transformed to GATE: Gifted and Talented Education. The district reports
that the name change was conducted with the aid
of students in the program, who constructed the name and tallied a vote, before
handing it off to elementary principals and central office administrators for
approval. Source: <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3092/0/">The Kearney Courier</a><br>
<br>
<strong>
<font size="2" color="#000099" face="verdana"><a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/2187/0/">MONTANA</a></font></strong>
- University of Montana (UM) received a $1.5 million dollar donation to fund a
professorship specializing in gifted education and advanced learning in
the classroom. The donation will also be used to fund research into how to best motivate
gifted students. Source: <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3093/0/">Missoulian</a><br>
<br>
<img src="http://news.ditd.org/September_14/DA4.jpg" alt="Students" align="right" height="182" width="276"><strong><font size="2" color="#000099" face="verdana"><a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/1364/0/">NEVADA</a></font>
- </strong>The Lyon County School
District policy and state law currently only cover retention, but not
acceleration. However, changes have recently been approved to add acceleration
to its promotion/retention policies. These changes will be made for kindergarten
through eighth grade. The policy revision uses similar requirements for
acceleration of students as the current retaining of students. Parents or legal
guardians must request students to be considered for acceleration, but the final
choice of placement is that of the teacher and school principal. Source: <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3094/0/">Reno Gazette Journal</a>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3095/0/">(original article)</a><br>
<br>
<strong>
<font size="2" color="#000099" face="verdana">
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/982/0/">
NORTH CAROLINA</a></font>
- </strong>Parents of Academically or Intellectually
Gifted children (AIG) are upset with school officials regarding the lack of
communication about the class placements of their children and the dismantling
of the AIG program at Roland-Grise Middle School. Source: <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3096/0/">WECT 6</a> <br>
<br>
<strong>
<font size="2" color="#000099" face="verdana">
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/984/0/">
OHIO</a></font>
- </strong>Lewis School for Gifted Learning Potential opened in
Youngstown. This school offers third through sixth grade with
plans for future expansion. Sources: <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3097/0/">WKBN</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3098/0/">Vindicator</a><br>
<br>
<strong>
<font size="2" color="#000099" face="verdana">
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/987/0/">
PENNSYLVANIA</a></font>
- </strong>Carnegie Mellon
University has decided to discontinue its Institute for Talented Elementary and
Secondary Students (C-MITES) which offered summer programs in math, science and the
humanities. Source: <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3099/0/">Pittsburg Post-Gazette</a><br>
<br>
<strong>
<font size="2" color="#000099" face="verdana">
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/1414/0/">
SOUTH CAROLINA</a></font>
- </strong>Bamberg-Ehrhardt
High School introduced online course offerings through Edgenuity, an
organization that
provides increased course options for gifted students. Source: <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3100/0/">The Times and
Democrat</a><br>
<br>
<font size="2" color="#000099" face="verdana">
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/1223/0/">
<strong>TEXAS</strong></a> </font>- Palo Alto College has
partnered with four local school districts to offer early college options to
high school students. Students are able to earn up to an associates degree or 60
hours of college credit while earning their high school diploma. Source: <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3101/0/">San
Antonio Business Journal</a><br>
<br>
Grand Prairie school district recently opened a charter school, called A School
for the Highly Gifted, for 45 elementary students from throughout the district.
Source:
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3102/0/">Dallas Morning News</a><br>
<br>
<strong>
<font size="2" color="#000099" face="verdana">
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/989/0/">
UTAH</a></font>
- </strong>Some resources for students in Utah are gifted services,
free ACT testing, online courses, student advocacy, tutoring services and language immersion programs. Source:
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3103/0/">KSL</a><br>
<br>
<strong>
<font size="2" color="#000099" face="verdana">
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/991/0/">
VIRGINIA</a></font>
- </strong>The superintendent of New Kent schools, is taking steps to improve the schools and
implement a mathematics acceleration initiative for the current school year.
Students will have a chance to progress faster with this new plan and move
forward beyond the typical advancement by grade. New Kents proposed plan will
begin with fifth graders who pass Standards of Learning tests with a required
score. After these requirements are met, students can be recommended by
their teachers to take accelerated courses. Source: <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3104/0/">New Kent - Charles City Chronicle</a><br>
<br>
<font size="2" color="#000099" face="verdana">
<b>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/1468/0/">
WISCONSIN</a></b></font> - Leonardo Da Vinci School for the Gifted,
kindergarten through sixth grade, opened in downtown Green Bay. Source:
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3105/0/">Fox11online</a><br>
<br>
<div align="center">
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/1042/0/">
<img src="http://news.ditd.org/May_14/GiftedStatePolicy.jpg" 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 size="1" color="#000000" face="Arial">How gifted-friendly is your state? Find out
on the
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/1042/0/">
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>
<font size="1" color="#000000" face="Arial">
</font><font size="2" face="Arial"><font size="2" color="000000" face="Arial">
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<font size="3" color="#000099" face="Verdana"><b> <a name="aolmail_OnTheWeb"> </a>On the Web</b></font>
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<td>
<font size="2" color="#000099" face="Verdana"><b>Gifted Exchange Blog</b></font><br>
<font size="2" face="Arial">Read Laura Vanderkam's take on all things gifted.
One of her recent posts is,
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/343/0/"><i>The After School Solution</i></a>
which discusses after school programs for Gifted Education. <br>
<br>
<font width="67" height="94" size="2" face="arial"><span class="aolmail_style6"><span class="aolmail_style5"><strong>
<font size="2" color="#000099" face="Verdana"><b>National Association for Gifted Children Launches Redesigned Website</b></font></strong></span><br>
</span><span class="aolmail_style8"><img src="http://news.ditd.org/September_14/NAGC%20Logo.jpg" alt="NAGC Logo" align="left" height="92" hspace="6" width="91">The <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/326/0/">National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC)</a> recently
launched a redesign of their website. The new
site was created with various audiences in mind, such as
educators,
parents, administrators, college and university
faculty, elected officials and reporters. With the enhanced
design and navigation, users can easily search and find
updated information on a number of issues. The <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3106/0/">Information
and Publications</a>
section
contains a wealth of resources, including a link to the NAGC
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3108/0/">Gifted and Talented Resources Directory</a>
and the
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3107/0/">Gifted by State</a>
data. Much of this information results from the work done on
behalf of NAGC members to keep the need for quality
programs and services for high-ability learners front and
center. Thank you and keep up the great work!<br>
<br>
<font size="2" color="#000099" face="Verdana"><b>New Web Resource GiftedandTalented.com</b></font><br>
<dt>Not only does the <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3109/0/">GiftedandTalented.com website</a> offer
EPGY online courses, but
also a variety of resources that support advanced learners including:
<ul style="margin-top:0"><li>Challenge Zone - Fun academic games and interesting problems designed for
gifted and talented students will keep young students engaged and learning.</li><li>Expert Picks - Curated articles, events, resources and research studies are
shared. Engage with gifted and talented experts and other parents on the
best ways to develop advanced learners.</li><li>Spotlight - Celebrate the achievements of students and other members of the
GiftedandTalented.com community.</li></ul>
<font width="67" height="94" size="2" face="Arial">
<font size="2" face="Arial"><strong>
<font size="2" color="#000099" face="Verdana"><b>
Featured Articles and Resources<font width="67" height="94" size="2" color="#000099" face="Verdana"><img src="http://news.ditd.org/September_14/DA5.jpg" alt="Students Walking" align="right" height="179" width="237"></font></b></font><br>
</strong><font width="67" height="94" size="2" face="Arial">The Davidson Gifted Database at <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/1049/0/">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/719104/53568/1472/0/">See what's new!</a><strong><br>
<br>
</strong>
</font><strong>Articles</strong><br>
This article,
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3110/0/">Tips for Parents: Helping Your Gifted Child or Teen Cope With Death and
Chronic Illness</a>, is a seminar hosted by Kiesa Kay.<br>
<br>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3111/0/">Hope Is More Than Wishful Thinking</a>, by Janette Boazman, explores the concept
of hope and how it plays can play an integral part in gifted education, as
well as teaching methods to help students utilize hopeful thinking. <br>
<br>
<strong>
Resources</strong><br>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3112/0/">Adventure Write Kids - Totem Head's Story Contest</a>
free writing contest is for anyone under 19 years old. There is a cash prize
and the winner's story gets published. <br>
<br>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3113/0/">Jacob's Ladder</a> is a proactive
enrichment program for intellectually gifted children who face obstacles to
success. <br>
<br>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3114/0/">Kids Know It Network's</a> mission is to provide quality educational activities,
products, movies, music, games, articles, textbooks, learning programs,
lesson plans and worksheets - all free of charge.<br>
<br>
Find <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3115/0/">online colleges and universities</a>
by searching this online database.<strong><img src="http://news.ditd.org/September_14/DA6.jpg" alt="Study Time" align="right" height="148" width="175"></strong> Community colleges, public colleges,
private universities and other institutional models all provide
high-quality, post-secondary opportunities to thousands of career-minded
students each year. <br>
<br>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3116/0/">Space Education Resources</a> provides
a list of links for students interested in space science and those wanting
to learn more about space and astronomy. <br>
<br>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3117/0/">ZoomSci</a> is a fun science website based on the PBS television show <i>Zoom</i>.
The site includes a Parents & Teachers section as well as fun experiments
for students. <br>
<br>
<font size="1" face="Arial">
</font>
<font size="2" face="Arial"><br>
</font>
<font size="1" face="Arial">
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/1014/0/">Suggest a Resource</a>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/1304/0/">Suggest an Article</a></font><font size="2" face="Arial">
<br>
</font>
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<font size="3" color="#000099" face="Verdana"><b> <a name="aolmail_InTheNews"> </a>In the News</b></font>
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="1" height="56">
<table id="aolmail_table410" border="0" width="100%">
<tbody><tr>
<td style="width: 36px"> </td>
<td>
<font size="2" face="arial"><font size="1">
<span class="aolmail_style8"><span class="aolmail_style15">September 2 -</span></span>
<em><span class="aolmail_style16">USA Today</span></em>,
<span class="aolmail_style15">
<span class="aolmail_style8"><a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3118/0/">
Thiel Fellowships get young entrepreneurs going</a>
<font size="2" face="arial"><span class="aolmail_style14">
<font size="1">(Medha Imam)</font></span></font></span></span></font><br>
<font size="1">
<span class="aolmail_style8"><span class="aolmail_style15">August 28 -</span></span>
<em><span class="aolmail_style16">Rotarian</span></em>,
<span class="aolmail_style15">
<span class="aolmail_style8"><a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3119/0/">
Boy Genius</a> <font size="2" face="arial">
<span class="aolmail_style14"><font size="1">(Tom Clynes)</font></span></font></span></span></font><br>
<span class="aolmail_style14">August 28 -</span> <em>
<span class="aolmail_style16">Business Standard</span></em>,
<span class="aolmail_style14"><a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3120/0/">
EI, Duke TIP to have 3 week programme for Indian students . . .</a> <font size="1">(M Saraswathy)</font></span><font size="1"><br>
<span class="aolmail_style14">August 27 - </span>
<span class="aolmail_style16"><em>Star Tribune</em></span>,
<span class="aolmail_style14"><a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3121/0/">Back to school: Gifted students are
ill-served</a> <font size="1">(Stephen Schroeder-Davis) </font></span><font size="1"><br>
<span class="aolmail_style14">August 24 - </span><em>
<span class="aolmail_style16">Sydney Morning Herald</span></em>,
<span class="aolmail_style8"><span class="aolmail_style15"><a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3122/0/">
High schools group students based on test results</a>
<font size="1">(Alexandra Smith) <br>
</font>
August 21 -</span></span> <em><span class="aolmail_style16">San
Diego 6</span></em>,
<span class="aolmail_style8"><span class="aolmail_style15"><a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3123/0/">
Davidson Fellows 2014</a> <font size="1">(San Diego Living)</font><br>
August 18 -</span></span> <em><span class="aolmail_style16">
KQED.org/Mind/Shift</span></em>,
<span class="aolmail_style8"><span class="aolmail_style15"><a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3124/0/">
Study: Pro-social mindset may help improve math, science
grades</a> <font size="1">(Ingfei Chen)</font><br>
August 13 - </span></span><em><span class="aolmail_style16">
Edutopia.org</span></em>,
<span class="aolmail_style8"><span class="aolmail_style15"><a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3125/0/">
How Learning Profiles Can Strengthen Your Teaching</a> <font size="1">(John
McCarthy) </font><br>
August 12 - </span></span><em><span class="aolmail_style17">EdSource
Today</span></em>,
<span class="aolmail_style8"><span class="aolmail_style15"><a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3126/0/">
New twist to old debate on accelerated math </a> <font size="1">(John
Fensterwald)</font><br>
August 12 -</span></span> <em><span class="aolmail_style16">TIME</span></em>,
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3127/0/">
<span class="aolmail_style14">Top Mathematics Prize Awarded to a
Woman for First Time</span></a><span class="aolmail_style14"> <font size="1">(Alex
Bellos)</font></span><font size="1"><br>
<span class="aolmail_style14">August 12 -</span> <em>
<span class="aolmail_style16">Gallup.com</span></em>, <span class="aolmail_style8"><span class="aolmail_style15"> <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3128/0/">
Left to Chance: Early Identification & Development of
Gifted Entrepreneurs</a>
<font size="1">(Jim Clifton)</font> <br>
August 7 - </span></span><em><span class="aolmail_style16">Education
Week</span></em>,
<span class="aolmail_style8"><span class="aolmail_style15"><a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3129/0/">
How Can Teachers Build on Gifted, Hyperactive Students'
Strengths?</a> <font size="1">(Sarah Sparks)</font> <br>
August 7 - </span></span><em><span class="aolmail_style16">U.S. News
University</span></em>,
<span class="aolmail_style8"><span class="aolmail_style15"><a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3130/0/">
Two Gifted Teens Pursue Master's Degrees</a> <font size="1">(Rebecca
Strong)</font><br>
August 3 -</span></span> <em><span class="aolmail_style16">
Washington Post</span></em>, <span class="aolmail_style8"><span class="aolmail_style15"><a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3131/0/">
Why college kids aren't timid or lost</a> <font size="1">(Jay Mathews) <br>
</font></span></span><font size="1">
</font><span class="aolmail_style14">July 30 - </span><em>
<span class="aolmail_style16">Washington Post</span></em>,
<span class="aolmail_style8"><span class="aolmail_style15"><a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3132/0/">
Why smart, poor kids lied about college</a> <font size="1">(Jay Mathews)</font><br>
July 28 - </span></span><em><span class="aolmail_style16">
Edutopia.org</span></em>,
<span class="aolmail_style8"><span class="aolmail_style15"><a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3133/0/">
15+ Readiness Resources for Driving Student 8/7 Success</a> </span><font><span class="aolmail_style15">
<font size="1">(John McCarthy) </font></span></font></span><font> <br>
<font size="1" face="verdana"><br>
<br>
Discuss these stories and more on the <b>
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/1025/0/">
Gifted Issues Discussion Forum</a></b>.<br>
<br>
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<font size="3" color="#000099" face="Verdana"><b> <a name="aolmail_InTheSpotlight"> </a>In the
Spotlight</b></font>
</td></tr>
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<td style="width: 633px">
<div align="center">
<font size="3" color="#000099" face="Verdana"><b>Valerie Ding<br>
A 2014 Davidson Fellow Making a Difference</b></font>
</div>
<img src="http://news.ditd.org/September_14/ValerieDing.jpg" alt="In the Spotlight" align="right" border="0" height="175" hspace="10" vspace="3" width="182"><font size="2" face="Arial"><font size="2" color="#000099" face="Verdana"><strong>What kind of impact can your Fellows project,
"Novel Next-Generation Multijunction Quantum Dot Solar Panel Designs Using Monte Carlo-Based Modeling" have on society?</strong></font><br>
Every single year, we emit 30 billion tons of carbon dioxide more
than 100 times the combined weight of the entire human race into
Earths atmosphere just by burning fossil fuels to meet our energy
needs. This causes environmental, health, and climate issues. Meanwhile,
just 45 minutes of sunlight, if harnessed, is enough to supply complete
global energy needs for an entire day. So why is solar power, a
practically unlimited renewable energy resource, less than
one percent of world consumption today? The problem lies in cost,
which is driven by efficiency. Todays average solar panels are 15
percent efficient. Multijunction solar cells can improve this
efficiency, but are more expensive. Quantum dot solar cells can lower
cost, but are currently only
eight percent efficient at best. Thus, this project combines the
high-efficiency multijunction design and low-cost quantum dots, and
introduces a fast, accurate and cost-effective quantum mechanical model,
the first that can quantitatively predict efficiencies of multijunction
quantum dot solar cells as well as identify the highest-efficiency
solar cell designs. This model would allow researchers to focus their
efforts on particularly promising designs in future experimental work,
drastically reducing redundancies, and time spent from years and months
to weeks or even days.<br>
<br>
<font size="2" color="#000099" face="Verdana"><strong>What are some of your short- and long-term plans?</strong></font><br>
Short-term, I continue to work on improving my model and investigating
added variables, with thanks to the support and encouragement of the
Davidson Institute. Another focus project is advocating female
involvement in STEM, especially in my local community where I coach
middle school MathCounts and Science Bowl teams. Long-term, I hope to
work towards an advanced degree in a computationally- and data-intensive
field such as physics, an example of which is nano/quantum physics,
which I have explored in high school through science research projects.
My overarching and ultimate personal goal, which stems from an
ever-present desire to understand and learn as much as possible, is to
foster a sustainable lifestyle by dedicating myself to the advancement
of scientific thought and spearheading applications and initiatives to
improve quality of life, such as working on sustainable energy
technologies, attempting to explore diverse systems of the world.<br>
<br>
<font size="2" color="#000099" face="Verdana"><strong>Please describe your academic setting and some positive experiences with mentors.</strong></font><br>
I am a senior at the Catlin Gabel School, where I have the great honor
of working with mentor Dr. Veronica Ledoux on a daily basis. Dr. Ledoux
has provided invaluable guidance, support and feedback as I work through
everything from extensive literature searches to inconsistencies in my
models to travelling to and presenting at science fairs. I look forward
to another year working with Dr. Ledoux. Over the course of this work I
was also advised by Mr. Bob Sauer, my physics teacher, and Mr. Andrew
Merrill,
my computer science teacher, who taught me critical skills,
and provided encouragement and feedback on my research. I have been
blessed with the guidance of solar expert Dr. Bjoern Seipel at
SolarWorld, who previously conducted research on quantum dots, and
provided many enlightening discussions on state-of-the-art solar cell
research and industry, particularly the use of quantum physical modeling
in solar cell research.<br>
<br>
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<b> <font size="3" color="#000099" face="Verdana"><a name="aolmail_ClosingThought"></a>Closing Thought</font></b>
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<div align="center">
<font class="aolmail_style19" size="2" face="arial">. . . the most exciting
development in 30+ years of gifted education
advocacy<br>
was just starting to blossom: the
founding of the<br>
Davidson Institute for
Talent Development<br>
. . . If the field of gifted
education had superheroes,<br>
Jan and Bob
Davidson would both have magnificent capes.</font></div>
<div align="right">
<font size="2" face="arial"><i>~
Dr. Jim Delisle, in his new book,</i> </font>
<font width="67" height="94" size="2" face="arial">
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/3029/0/"><i>Dumbing Down America</i></a></font>
<i> <br>
<br>
</i></div>
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<font size="2" face="Arial">
<div align="center"><font color="#FFFFFF">If you have information to include in future eNews-Updates, please email our <a href="mailto:admin@davidsongifted.org"><font color="#FFFFFF">Communications Team</font></a>.<br>
If you have been forwarded this eNews-Update, and wish to receive future editions,
<a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/951/0/"><font color="#FFFFFF">sign-up here</font></a>.</font></div>
</font></td>
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<td height="189" width="680">
<div align="center"><font size="2" color="#285197" face="Arial"><br>
<b>Davidson Institute for Talent Development</b></font><font size="2" color="#285197" face="arial"><br>
<i> Supporting our nation's brightest young minds.</i></font><br>
<font size="1" color="#285197" face="arial"> 9665 Gateway Drive, Suite B, Reno, Nevada 89521</font><br>
<font size="1" color="#285197" face="arial"> Phone: 775-852-3483 Fax: 775-852-2184</font><br>
<font size="1" color="#285197" face="arial"> Email: <a href="mailto:administrator@davidsongifted.org">administrator@davidsongifted.org</a> Web: <a target="_blank" href="http://ditdlyris.davdgrp.com/t/719104/53568/949/0/">www.DavidsonGifted.org</a></font><br>
</div>
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<div> <br>
</div>