WKU News

Academically talented seventh graders from throughout Kentucky were honored by the Duke Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP) May 22 at Western Kentucky University.

Duke TIP’s 7th Grade Talent Search identifies students across a 16-state region who have scored at or above the 95th percentile on a grade-level achievement test as a 6^th grader. As part of the program, these academically talented students take above-level college-entrance exams to learn more about their abilities. Duke TIP then holds recognition ceremonies to honor the seventh graders who scored the highest on these ACT or SAT exams. The Kentucky recognition ceremony has been hosted by The Center for Gifted Studies at WKU since 1982.

57,808 students from 5,895 schools from across the country enrolled in the 7^th grade talent search. In Kentucky, out of the 2,038 students who tested, 752 students (37 percent) qualified to attend the state ceremony, and 263 of those registered to attend the ceremony at WKU.

Keynote speaker Representative Patti Minter reflected upon attending the ceremony last year, when her son was one of the honorees. She noted, “On that day, I looked around this arena and saw the best and the brightest 7^th graders in the Commonwealth . . . I beamed with pride and hope, just as you’re doing right now. I knew then what I know now, looking at this outstanding generation of young Kentuckians—that the Commonwealth is one day going to be in very good hands.”

In addition to Minter, other speakers included Executive Director of The Center for Gifted Studies and the Gatton Academy Dr. Julia Roberts, Kentucky Department of Education Gifted Education Academic Program Consultant Kathie Anderson, and Duke TIP Education Research Specialist Dr. Richard Courtright.

The Kentucky Education Savings Plan Trust (KESPT) sponsored the reception after the ceremony

The Center for Gifted Studies at WKU has served gifted children, their educators, and parents through educational opportunities, professional development, and a variety of other resources and support for more than 35 years.