Hillsborough County Public Schools Curriculum and Instruction
Information Item

DATE: Tuesday, December 11, 2007
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Recognize Grade 7 Students Honored by Duke Talent Identification Program as National Grand Level Winners, 2007 (Curriculum and Instruction Division)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

We are pleased to have the School Board recognize the Grade 7 students honored by Duke Talent Identification Program as National Grant Level Winners, 2007.

The Duke Talent Identification Program (TIP) identifies academically talented Grade 7 students based on standardized test scores. These identified students are then invited to complete either the ACT Assessment or the SAT Reasoning Test. These tests are the same college admissions exams that are taken by our high school juniors and seniors. Seventh-grade students who score in the top 2% in the nation on the ACT or SAT receive National Grand Level Recognition and are invited to a ceremony at Duke University. Last year, 67,757 seventh graders nationwide participated in the Talent Identification Program and 1,411 were recognized as Grand Level winners.

The SAT scores of the National Grand Level students met one of the following criteria:
  • Scored at least 650 out of 800 in Mathematics
  • Scored at least 650 out of 800 in Critical Reading
  • Scored at least 1260 out of 1600 in Mathematics and Critical Reading combined
The ACT scores of the National Grand Level students met one of the following criteria:
  • Scored at least 28 out of 36 in English
  • Scored at least 28 out of 36 in Mathematics
  • Scored at least 30 out of 36 in Reading
  • Scored at least 27 out of 36 in Science
In Hillsborough District, there were 1,184 seventh-grade students identified by the Duke Talent Identification Program and 10 students scored high enough on the SAT to receive National Grand Level recognition.

ANNUAL DISTRICT GOAL(S) AND CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S)

Goal 1 - The percentage of students scoring at Level 3 or higher on FCAT reading will increase a minimum of five percentage points.
Goal 2 - The percentage of students scoring at Level 3 or higher on FCAT mathematics will increase a minimum of five percentage points.

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: Yes)

Funds of $350 for the recognition and plaques were provided by Pepsi Bottling Group. There is no additional cost for this agenda item.

EVALUATION

SUBMITTED BY: Shanshera Quinn, Supervisor, Guidance Services

Pat Smith
Director, Guidance Services
(813) 273-7074
Michael A. Grego, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction
(813) 272-4221
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Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20071211_271 * Section C Item# 2