October 20, 2006
Washington’s most valuable resource — its brightest kids — being sought by UW
The state’s single most valuable resource, its smartest young students, are wanted by the University of Washington as it embarks on its annual hunt for the brightest fifth- through eighth-grade students across Washington.
The UW’s Halbert & Nancy Robinson Center for Young Scholars is conducting the annual Washington Search for Young Scholars (WSYS) to identify the top 3 percent of the state’s students and to work with them, their families and their schools to improve opportunities for gifted youth. The deadline for students to register for the search is Nov. 30.
“Nowadays because so much attention is focused on low achievers, the needs of gifted students are often not fully met by local schools. But these children are a tremendous resource for the entire state and we want to encourage them and help them aspire to higher academic achievement,” said Robert Vaughan, associate director of the talent search.
“These children need opportunities to stretch their talents and we want to stimulate their interest with all colleges and universities.”
There are two parts of the young scholar search based on grade level. The program is looking for seventh- and eighth-grade students who scored in the top 3 percent in reading or mathematics in the past two years on such tests as the California Achievement Test, the Iowa Test of Basic Skills or at Level 4 (exceeds standards) on the state’s Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) exam.
Fifth- and sixth-graders also can join the talent search. These students qualify if they scored in the top 3 percent in reading/verbal or math/quantitative section on a recent standardized achievement or aptitude test that compared them to students in Washington or nationally by grade level. High scores — above 452 in reading or 476 in math on the WASL — also qualify these students.
Parents of fifth- and sixth-graders must send photocopies of their child’s test results to WSYS by fax at (206) 685-3890 or by mail at WSYS, Box 351650, Seattle, WA 98195. Students also are required to register with WSYS and pay a $20 fee. With a parent’s assistance, students can register on line at http://depts.washington.edu/cscy/programs/wsys or by calling WSYS at (206) 543-4160.
Seventh- and eighth-graders also must register and take the ACT or SAT I, college admissions examinations. The ACT will be given on Dec. 9 (registration deadline is Nov. 3) and Feb. 10 (registration deadline is Jan. 5) and registration can be done online at www.actstudent.org. The SAT I will be given on Dec. 2 (registration deadline is Nov. 1) and Jan. 27 (registration deadline is Dec. 20) and registration can be done online at www.collegeboard.com. Test locations throughout the state will be given when students register for either test. Students must request that their test results be sent to WSYS or the University of Washington to participate in the talent search.
Students who qualify for the talent search will be invited to participate in recognition events to be held at several sites around the state in April or May. Last spring, nearly 1,120 students participated in a recognition ceremony held at the UW’s Seattle campus.
The talent search is designed to make parents and gifted children more aware of challenging academic programs available to them. Those who join will be provided with information about advanced summer programs and Internet-based distance learning classes for gifted students.
“Just like young athletes or young musicians, academically advanced students clearly benefit from opportunities to sharpen their skills in the company of talented peers,” said Vaughan.
Students and parents can obtain more information about the Washington Search for Young Scholars by checking its Web site at http://depts.washington.edu/cscy/programs/wsys/. Requests for printed material to be sent by mail should be directed to (206) 543-4160.
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For more information, contact Vaughan at (206) 543-4160 or rvaughan@u.washington.edu
