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May 2014 |
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What's New in Gifted Education | Davidson News | Legislative & Policy News | On the Web | In the News | In the
Spotlight
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What's New in Gifted Education
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Intel Science and Engineering Fair -
Inspiring Creativity Through STEM
 More than 1,700 outstanding high school science students, representing
approximately 70 countries, exhibited their inspiring,
inventive projects at the
2014 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in
Los Angeles.
Nathan
Han of Boston (pictured, right) was awarded
the top prize for developing a machine learning software tool to study mutations of a gene linked to breast cancer. Lennart Kleinwort of Germany (center) and Shannon Xinjing Lee of Singapore (left) each received the
second prize: Lennart developed a new mathematical tool for smartphones and tablets that brings capabilities to hand-held devices that previously required more sophisticated and expensive computing tools, and
Shannon developed a novel electrocatalyst that may be used for batteries of the future.
Sources:
Science News for Students,
Inquirer.net
(Photo courtesy of Intel/Chris Ayers)
Dual Enrollment - What's New?
 Dual enrollment has often been an option for
gifted students working years beyond age peers in particular subjects. While the term is most commonly applied to high school students concurrently taking college courses, dual enrollment can also be a viable option for students of any age across the board, such as a
fourth grader attending seventh grade math and science
classes, or a homeschool student attending high school for
an Advanced Placement (AP) class. Application of credits varies depending on the state, district, and
school; however, this can be a cost effective way to challenge
our brightest students.
Here are a few recent news articles related to dual enrollment: Here are a few useful articles and resources on dual enrollment:
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Davidson News
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 The Davidson Academy of Nevada
A free public school, The Davidson Academy of Nevada
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, the application will be posted this summer.
Please review the
Qualification Criteria and
How to Apply pages for more information.
Prospective
students interested in receiving email updates about the
Academy can subscribe to
The Davidson Academy eNewsletter by
clicking here.
 Davidson Young Scholars
The Davidson Young Scholars program provides FREE services designed to nurture and support profoundly gifted young people and their families, including talent development and educational advocacy, an online community, annual get-togethers, and the Ambassador Program. Applications are due the first of each month. For more information,
visit the
How to Apply and Qualification Criteria
pages.
Ambassador Program
The 2014 Davidson Young Scholars
Ambassadors page
has recently gone live! The purpose of the
Ambassador Program is to foster learning and civic
engagement through community service, volunteerism
and leadership in highly motivated and mature Young
Scholars. Please take a moment to learn about their
service projects, in their own words
 2014 Davidson Fellows Scholarship
The
Davidson Institute offers $10,000, $25,000 and
$50,000
Davidson
Fellows scholarships to students 18 and under 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. The 2014 class of Davidson Fellows will
be announced in August.
Gifted Issues Discussion Forum
 The
Gifted Issues Discussion Forum is a meeting place for all things gifted. Register and become a part of one of the most active gifted education forums on the web! With more than
8,000 registered members, it's a great place to share and interact with others about a wealth of gifted topics.
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Legislative & Policy News
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ILLINOIS –
The Deerfield school district is working to close a gender gap in gifted math classes
for third through eighth graders since there are 120 more boys than girls in the
program. Source:
Chicago Sun-Times
KENTUCKY – Morehead State University will start a residential high school for academically gifted students in August 2015. The school, known as The Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics, will allow students to take a college-level curriculum that will allow them to graduate from high school with as many as 60 credit hours for college. Source:
Lexington Herald Leader
Eastern Kentucky University will offer the state’s first fully online master’s degree in
gifted education starting in fall 2014. Source:
Lane Report
The Mercer County
school district has been awarded $4,000 through a grant from the Corning Foundation to pilot a one-to-one program for the district’s gifted students.
Source:
Central Kentucky News
 MARYLAND – A resolution seeking to restore and preserve funding
for International Baccalaureate programs and the Ingenuity Project in Baltimore
were recently introduced in the city council, as political leaders cited a disinvestment in the city's gifted students. Source:
Baltimore Sun
MICHIGAN – The Plymouth-Canton school district is considering a number of changes to its Talented and Gifted program. Source:
Hometownlife.com
MINNESOTA – The number of full-time academic programs for gifted students in the state has grown from
2 to 15 throughout the past ten years. Source:
District Administration
The Centennial School District will add full-time gifted classrooms for third-
and fourth-graders starting in fall 2014. Source:
Minneapolis Star Tribune
Austin Public School recently received approval to create a “Personalized
Instruction” program for gifted students. Source:
KIMT
MISSOURI – The state has established a formal advisory council to develop and strengthen services for gifted students. While the
Gifted Association of Missouri has advocated for gifted education and sent representatives to state-level meetings in the past, this new council is expected to have a more formal role, regularly providing feedback and recommendations. Source:
Springfield News-Leader
NEW YORK – High school students in the state who graduate in the top
10 percent of their class will be eligible for full, four-year college scholarships under a policy designed to boost the science, technology, engineering and math
(STEM) workforce. Participants in the New York State STEM Incentive Program may enroll at any State University of New York or City University of New York campus. They must agree to either work five years after graduation in STEM fields in the state, or repay the grant. Source:
New York Daily News
Federal grant StarTalk will support the inaugural Kindergarten Chinese Immersion Program of an elementary school being designed for gifted students in
Saratoga County. The programs will be hosted by the Friends of Global Renaissance Perspectives. Source:
Globaissance.org
NORTH CAROLINA – Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools budget cuts could lead to the elimination of a number of gifted specialists in the district. Sources:
Chapel Hill News,
Chapelboro.com
OHIO – The state is considering a number of changes to services
offered to gifted students, especially those in lower grades. The state report
card, which grades schools on test performance and student success, gives
districts a grade for gifted services based on identified students’ progress in
reading, math and cognitive ability. A state committee is examining how to give that measurement a point system and make it more involved. Source:
Canton Repository
Following a potential boycott of standardized tests, the Columbus school district postponed an overhaul of its gifted programs. The overhaul would have forced all of the district’s gifted students into one of 20 schools that would offer gifted classes, rather than offering gifted education in each of the district’s schools. Sources:
Columbus Dispatch,
NBC4i.com
VIRGINIA – With the implementation of a nonverbal screening test starting in kindergarten, the Fairfax County
school district has focused services to identify and support gifted or high-achieving minority and low-income students in its Young Scholars program, better reflecting the overall student population. Source:
Washington Post
WASHINGTON – The Olympia School District’s Program for
Academically Talented Students (PATS) will be phased out during the next few
years as part of a plan that will increase the district’s support and
opportunities for gifted students. Source:
The Olympian
WYOMING – A number of parents in the Natrona County School District recently petitioned local school trustees to create a governing board to address the district's gifted program. Parents who signed the petition feel that little progress has been made since a gifted education task force report that called for changes in the program was compiled in October. Source:
Casper Star-Tribune Online
How gifted-friendly is your state? Find out
on the
Davidson Gifted Database State Policy Map.
If you know of new legislation, please contact the Communications Team.
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On the Web
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Gifted Exchange Blog
Read Laura Vanderkam's take on all things gifted.
One of her recent posts is, "Learning new words." Join the discussion
today!
 Common Core and Gifted Education
During the past year, the Davidson Institute has received many questions asking how
Common Core State Standards (CCSS) impact gifted students. To answer these questions, gifted education expert, Tamra Stambaugh, answers a few questions on CCSS and gifted students in this Davidson Gifted Database article titled,
Interview with Tamra Stambaugh on the Common Core and Its Impact on Gifted Education. In addition, the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) has dedicated
this section of their website to CCSS with general information, FAQs and resources for educators and parents.
New Book Coming Soon from Dr.
Jim Delisle
At a time when the U.S. education system
consistently lags behind its international
peers, Dr. Jim Delisle's new book,
Dumbing Down America,
shows exactly why America can’t keep up by
providing a critical look at the nation’s 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. Available August 1, you can
pre-order it today.
Featured Articles and Resources
The Davidson Gifted Database at www.DavidsonGifted.org/DB is a gateway to resources for
and about gifted students.
See what's new!
Articles
The article, Tips for Parents: Finding the Extroverted Side of You – Introverted Children,
is from a seminar hosted by Christine Fonseca, who provides information for parents of introverts to help even the most introverted
students find their voice and share their talents with the world.
The article, Tips for Parents: Freeing Our Families from Perfectionism,
is from a seminar hosted by Thomas Greenspon, who provides a wealth of advice related to perfectionism.
 The article, Tips for Parents: Nurturing Creativity at Home,
is from a seminar hosted by Lisa Rivero, who summarizes the key points in which parents can encourage and facilitate creativity in their children.
Authored by noted gifted expert James Webb, the book,
Searching For Meaning: Idealism, Bright Minds, Disillusionment and Hope, aims to help those disillusioned in today’s world by teaching them to understand themselves and their struggles.
Click here to read a review of this book.
Resources
The
STEAM-Powered Classroom website provides a number of resources for homeschoolers and educators. Its emphasis is student-led, project-based learning.
Weekend Academy at Vanderbilt University (WAVU) is a residential academic program for
seventh to 10th grade gifted students. Students engage in an accelerated two-day course of study designed and taught by Vanderbilt University faculty and scholars. WAVU offers accelerated and rigorous courses on topics not usually included in middle or high school.
Written by Dr. Thomas Armstrong,
You’re Smarter Than You Think: A Kid’s Guide to Multiple Intelligences (Revised and Updated Edition) explains a number of different types of intelligences and helps
students identify their own learning strengths and use their special skills at school, home and in life.
Suggest a Resource
Suggest an Article
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In the News
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May 20 -
Psychology Today,
Gifted Learners - New Holistic Methodology and Tech
(Joseph Cardillo)
May
12 -
USA Today,
15-year-old earns 4 2-year degrees, high school diploma
(Betty Reid)
May 11 -
Napa Valley Register,
Your gifted child
(Lenore Hirsch)
May 8 -
The Courier-Journal,
Is it ADHD or giftedness?
(Laura Ungar)
May
2014 - AmazingKids! Magazine,
Amazing Kids! of the Month – Davidson Fellows
(Kasey Dallman)
April 20 - Washington Post,
Stuck on a college wait list? Here’s what you should do.
(Jay Mathews)
April 17 -
Edutopia,
It's Time for Social and Emotional Learning for All
(Elena Aguilar)
April 16 -
Christian Science Monitor,
Your child is gifted
(Glennon Doyle Melton)
April 15 -
Education Week,
Gifted Ed. Is Crucial, But the Label Isn't
(Multiple authors)
April 13 - Washington Post,
Why can’t his daughter take AP calculus?
(Jay Mathews)
April 4 -
Huffington Post,
These Kids Are Published Authors At The Ages Of 10 And 12
(Staff)
March 31 -
Huffington Post,
Gifted+Learning Disabled = No Desk For You, Says New Study
(Daniel Peters)
March 28 - Russellville Courier,
Is it nature, nurture, talents?
(Jackie Cushman)
March 23 -
Washington Post,
Why most people, including me, like homework
(Jay Mathews)
March 21 - Dallas News,
Gifted child, left behind
(Amy Crawford)
Discuss these stories and
more on the
Gifted Issues Discussion Forum.
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In the
Spotlight
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Kimberly Ruth, 17
A Davidson Young Scholar Making a Difference
 The purpose of the
Davidson Young Scholars
Ambassador Program is to foster learning and civic engagement through community service, volunteerism and leadership in highly motivated and mature Young Scholars.
Kimberly's project
is Go Figure. The overall goal of this project is
to boost mathematical interest in middle school and junior
high school students and promote an alternative approach:
one that celebrates the beautiful side of mathematics and
provides a path to learning the invaluable lessons that it teaches.
What are some past and present projects you’ve worked on to help make a positive difference in the lives of others?
For a long time I’ve been interested in helping others. For example, when I was 8, I raised about $220 for a local hospital so they could start a program to give Beanie Baby toys to young patients to cheer them up during their stay. The staff members were enthusiastic about the idea, and over the years the program has grown considerably.
The most recent report I heard was that they were giving out approximately 100 Beanies a week, for a total of over 20,000 Beanies, and the program had expanded to a second facility.
As my interests and skills have matured, so have my efforts. My most recent philanthropic endeavor, which I am developing through the Davidson Institute’s Young Scholars Ambassador Program, aims to help middle school and junior high school students discover the elegant side of math so that they are motivated to continue exploring it in high school and beyond. The project, called
Go Figure, has two major foci: A website with mathematical topics explained clearly and playfully, and presentations in my local area. I love combining my passions for math, teaching, writing, and public speaking in a way that makes a positive difference. Thus far I have
received a very positive response for my efforts. The website is still growing; you can explore it at
www.gofiguremath.org.
What are some of your short-term and long-term plans?
I hope to expand
Go Figure into a well-used resource with a stable user base. I’d like to make my website into a corner of cyberspace where math is undeniably awesome. And though it may take some time, I’d like to spread that enthusiasm beyond my immediate influence and foster a culture that appreciates math.
I’d like to study computer science in college, since it combines mathematical analysis with technological applicability. The field of computing is moving very quickly, and I hope to find opportunities to use what I learn in ways that improve people’s lives.
How has the Young Scholars program helped you to reach your goals and achieve your accomplishments?
The Davidson Institute staff has been incredibly helpful and supportive as I’ve been developing
Go Figure. The Ambassador seminars have prompted me to think deeply about my project, and I’ve enjoyed communicating with the other Ambassadors. Everyone in the program has been very encouraging.
Please describe your academic setting and some positive experiences with mentors.
I am homeschooled, so my parents are two tremendously important mentors to me. Although most of my schoolwork is done at the kitchen table, I also participate in extracurricular classes in the local community, including at my homeschool co-op. My mom especially helps me navigate my education, identifying challenging curricula that complement my learning style. She empowers me to identify where I want to focus my learning efforts.
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Closing Thought
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"The search for excellence is a constant development. One does not achieve excellence and then declare one’s work finished. One must eternally strive toward the betterment of one’s skills."
~
Kailee Pedersen,
2013 Davidson Fellow, in
AmazingKids!
Magazine
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Davidson Institute for Talent Development
Supporting our nation's brightest young minds.
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Phone: 775-852-3483 Fax: 775-852-2184
Email: administrator@davidsongifted.org Web: www.DavidsonGifted.org
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