Pinellas County Schools Talent Identification Program Parent Informational

Pinellas County Schools Talent Identification Program Parent Informational Meeting November 18, 2016 Presented by Ms. Warwick at Dunedin Highland Middle School

PCS District Strategic Plan • Strategic Goal #1: Increase Student Achievement resulting in improvements for every school (A, B, C Grade) and learning gains, higher promotional (each level) and graduation rates. • Action #12: Increase participation of Pinellas Talented Identification Program to 800 7 th grade students while also increasing the number who sit for the SAT exam and participate in the Summer TIPS program.

Pinellas County Schools Talent Identification Program • What is the purpose of this program? – Identification of academically talented middle school students (specifically targeting 7 th grade students) – Assist students and parents/guardians to develop collegepreparatory academic plans for 8 th grade and beyond into high school – Provide valuable practice to students before they take the PSAT and SAT in high school to qualify for National Merit Scholarship opportunities and college entrance!

The Challenge to raise the bar • The 21 st century global economy is fast-paced and changeable. Students need a new set of skills – and a habit of lifelong learning – to flourish in this information age. The best way to succeed and thrive as an adult is to challenge yourself to rise to a high level of academic excellence now. Students will do that best by taking challenging high school courses and working hard in them. • The SAT provides a trusted, globally recognized indicator of academic readiness for college. In a way, the SAT is the bridge between the hard work a students have already done and the college that is the best fit for the future they are about to create.

Why Take the SAT? • As the nation’s most widely used college admission test, the SAT is the first step toward higher education for students of all backgrounds. It’s taken by more than two million students every year and is accepted by virtually all colleges and universities.

What benefits will students receive from participating? • Students are selected to take the SAT because they have each scored at higher levels on a normed, standardized achievement test. • Once the students have individual SAT scores, each student can be advised about his ability in math and language arts. • Using the SAT score reports, school administrators and teachers are able to adjust course content and instructional pacing to challenge the students, allowing bright students more opportunities to realize their academic potential.

About the SAT The SAT is changing in some ways, but these things are staying the same: • It’s accepted by almost all U. S. colleges. • It’s typically taken by students in the spring semester of 11 th grade and again in the fall semester of 12 th grade. • SAT scores and high school GPA are a powerful combination. Used together, there’s nothing better at predicting potential college success.

Quick Facts about the SAT • 4 parts: Reading, Writing and Language, Math, and the optional SAT Essay • 400– 1600 score scale • 3 hours and 50 minutes with the SAT Essay — or 3 hours without it • 4 answer choices for multiple choice questions

How were students identified? • The TOP 10% of students within each school’s 7 th grade class as measured by their performance on the 2015 ELA & Math Florida Standards Assessment data. • 7 th grade students who are academically talented!

What will happen with Pinellas County TIP students? • Students who return the purple commitment form: – Will be provided the opportunity to sit for the SAT examination on March 5, 2016. – Will receive test preparation for the reading and mathematics portions of the SAT – Will have the opportunity to engage in college readiness experiences through a camp occurring in the summer of 2016.

2015 -16 SAT Administration Dates and Deadlines SAT Date SAT Subject Tests Available Registration Deadline March 5, 2016 SAT Subject Tests not offered on this date PCS Timeline January 27, 2016 Actual Deadline Feb. 5, 2016 Pinellas County 7 th grade students should plan to test at one of the following sites: • John Hopkins Middle School – Test Center Code: 10066 • Oak Grove Middle School – Test Center Code: 10065 • Safety Harbor Middle School – Test Center Code: 10063 • Seminole Middle School – Test Center Code: 10480 • Eastlake Middle School – Test Center Code: 10733

Which Middle Schools are Testing Centers? • • • John Hopkins Middle School – Test Center Code: 10066 Oak Grove Middle School – Test Center Code: 10065 Safety Harbor Middle School – Test Center Code: 10063 Seminole Middle School – Test Center Code: 10480 Eastlake Middle School – Test Center Code: 10733 When completing the application please be sure to indicate your Test Center Code (see above for each middle school site).

Registering Special Circumstances • Due to Internet privacy laws, our 7 th grade students cannot register online. – To register for the SAT, obtain a Registration Guide packet with registration form from the Gifted Office. Complete the form, submit a copy of it to the Gifted Office and mail the original with payment to the College Board. • Applications will be provided after the commitment form is returned to the school.

Cost for Testing • Selected students will pay the $43. 00 testing fee that the College Board charges for the SAT. The district has recommended that the students “opt out” of the essay portion. Regular fee is $54. 50 • Parents are responsible for the cost of testing.

Photo Requirements Students must provide a photo when registering for the SAT. The photo will be part of your Admission Ticket and will be checked against their photo ID on test day to ensure security. If not student ID is available a Student ID form can be completed as the entrance requirement. Acceptable Photo Checklist You can use recent photos — like school pictures or passport photos — or take a new one. Just make sure they meet these requirements: • • • You’re easy to recognize. You’re the only one in the picture. There’s a head-and-shoulders view, with the entire face, both eyes, and hair clearly visible; head coverings worn for religious purposes are allowed. You’re in focus. There are no dark spots or shadows.

SAT Practice • https: //www. khanacademy. org/sa

Khan Academy Our mission is to provide a free, world‑class education for anyone, anywhere. A personalized learning resource for all ages • Khan Academy offers practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard that empower learners to study at their own pace in and outside of the classroom. We tackle math, science, computer programming, history, art history, economics, and more. Our math missions guide learners from kindergarten to calculus using state-ofthe-art, adaptive technology that identifies strengths and learning gaps.

Other things to consider: • TUTORIAL SCHEDULE: Ø There will be 10 tutoring session held here at DHMS. Ø Tutor sessions will begin in January 2016. Ø Sessions will be held after school. Ø Students will be provided with face to face and online opportunities to practice.

Tutoring Schedule MONDAY Jan. 11 th Jan. 18 th Jan. 25 th TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY Jan. 12 th Jan. 13 th Jan. 14 th Dr. Applebaum Ms. Mudd Jan. 19 th Jan. 20 th Dr. Applebaum Ms. Mudd Jan. 26 th Jan. 27 th Dr. Applebaum Ms. Mudd Jan. 21 st Jan. 28 th MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY Feb. 1 st Feb. 2 nd Feb. 3 rd Feb. 4 th Dr. Applebaum Ms. Mudd Feb. 9 th Feb. 10 th Dr. Applebaum Ms. Mudd Feb. 16 th Feb. 17 th Feb. 8 th Feb. 15 th Feb. 11 th Feb. 18 th Tutoring will be after school from 4: 15 -5: 15 pm in room 3 -205 (Ms. Angelo’s room) on the highlighted days. It is optional to attend, but helpful for the students SAT preparation.