Winter 2010-2011

Keeping you up to date with the Johns Hopkins University
Center for Talented Youth and the gifted education community.

News Roundup

Parents, researchers, and educators rethink the "gifted" label
The Globe and Mail

A Colorado school district develops new ways to help gifted kids
The Daily Camera

Madison, WI schools work to close gap in services for gifted students
Wisconsin State Journal

We're discussing these stories and more on the CTY Facebook page, a place where you can stay up to date on changes in gifted education around the country and learn more about CTY programs.

The End of an Era

In October, CTY executive director Dr. Lea Ybarra announced that she will step down from her position next spring. Her announcement offers us an opportunity to look back at the remarkable record of growth and prosperity for CTY that characterized her 13-year tenure. You can read more about Dr. Ybarra's accomplishments in the JHU Gazette.

A New Test Option for Seventh- and Eighth-Graders

In addition to the SAT and ACT, seventh- and eighth-grade Talent Search participants can now take the advanced version of the SCAT (School and College Ability Test) to qualify for Summer Programs. Among the benefits of the Advanced SCAT are the shorter length of the test (one hour versus more than three hours for the SAT and ACT) and the convenience of setting your own test date. Click here for more information.

Updates

We've changed the names of a few CTY programs to better reflect what they offer students.

For several years now, CTY has offered enrichment-level CAA courses and more advanced CTY courses for students in grades seven and above. In keeping with research showing that even the nation's top students have varying levels of readiness for advanced coursework, beginning this year, we will offer CTY: Academic Explorations courses and CTY: Intensive Studies. Both will challenge students with advanced high school or college-level work, but some CTY: Intensive Studies courses will have prerequisites. Look for more information through the Catalogs links of the Summer Programs web pages.

Since 2004, as a member of the Next Generation Venture Fund, CTY has provided mentoring, college and career advising, and access to rigorous courses to talented students from underserved communities. We are continuing this effort under a new title, the Johns Hopkins CTY Scholars Program. To find out more, call the CTY Scholars Program at 410-735-4101.

Notes from the NMSA Conference

CTY was one of the sponsors welcoming more than 6,300 educators from around the country to the thirty-seventh annual National Middle Schools Association Conference in November here in Baltimore, Maryland. One of the highlights of the three-day event was the keynote address by Dr. Benjamin Carson, director of pediatric neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center, best-selling author, and co-founder of the Carson Scholars Fund. Dr. Carson spoke to attendees about his journey from a childhood filled with poverty, anger, and frustration to his groundbreaking work at one of the leading research hospitals in the world. Karen Bond, CTY's senior director of academic programs, provided introductory remarks for the young Carson Scholars, who then introduced their mentor. "It was a privilege to meet so many educators from around the country," said Ms. Bond of her participation in the conference. "We welcome opportunities like this to engage with and support colleagues who do such important work."

A National Award for Outstanding Seventh-Graders

Each year, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Young Scholars Program honors 50 to 75 seventh-graders who can demonstrate outstanding academic ability, accomplishments outside of the classroom, and significant financial need. Scholars receive financial support for educational and extracurricular activities, as well as one-on-one help applying to high schools, colleges, summer programs, and more. Visit the JKC Website for more information or contact CTY at 410-735-6270 or jkcfinfo@jhu.edu. The 2011 application will be available online in mid-January.

Test Now for Summer Programs Eligibility

Each winter, when CTY opens the application for our popular Summer Programs--fun, intensive, three-week learning experiences hosted at more than 20 sites on the east coast, west coast, and abroad--spaces fill quickly. Talent Search testing is available year-round, but students who test by mid-January have the best chance of receiving qualifying scores in time to apply for their preferred courses and locations. Learn more about Talent Search testing and enroll online at www.cty.jhu.edu/discover.

Work with the World's Brightest Students in the Summer

Each year, CTY employs more than 1,700 administrators, instructors, and resident assistants to work with students in our Summer Programs. Competitive applicants include college students, experienced classroom teachers, and subject specialists with advanced degrees, depending on the position. To learn more, go here.