By Jeanne Kraft
Paris, TX – Two Paris ISD students achieved recognition as high scoring 2010 - 2011 Duke University Talent Search Participants. The Talent Search identifies academically talented 7th graders based on standardized test scores. Texas schools are allowed to use the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) results from the previous school year's test as the measure that determines student eligibility for participation. Candidates are invited to complete either the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT Assessment college entrance examination. TIP then provides the participants with comparative information concerning their academic abilities and resources for unique educational opportunities.
Blaine Grissom and Erin Wright, 7th grade students at Paris Junior High School, demonstrated outstanding performance by scoring at or above the national average on at least one part of the SAT or ACT. Students qualifying for State Rec-ognition are in the top 36% in the Talent Search pool. This achievement qualified each for rec-ognition at a State Level Ceremony. The students are invited to attend a ceremony in Texas held at a university located within the assigned geographic region.
The Talent Search has been in operation for thirty-one years. It is the largest program of its kind in the nation representing junior high and middle schools in the Duke TIP 16-state region. Over 71,000 students have participated since its inception in 1980.