Duke University Talent Identification Program

About Us

The Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP) identifies gifted children and provides resources to nurture the development of these exceptionally bright youngsters. Giftedness is greatly misunderstood, and children with advanced intellectual and academic abilities continually perplex and challenge educators and parents. Duke TIP is committed to serving this unique group of students by providing services and programs beyond what is offered in the classroom. Often schools do not have the resources and staff to adequately provide for the academic challenges and social and emotional support that gifted children require. Through Duke TIP a whole range of activities and programs are accessible to parents and teachers to meet the individual needs of gifted children.

For a variety of reasons, many gifted children simply do not reach their full potential. Exceptionally bright students often go unrecognized because they hide their talents, underachieve, or exhibit behavioral problems. In addition, a disproportionately large number of minority group students, youngsters from families where English is not the primary spoken language in the home, and children from less affluent families are at risk for not being identified as gifted.

Duke TIP provides students with the opportunity to learn more about their abilities. Qualifying fourth and fifth grade students may participate in Duke TIP’s 4th/5th Grade Talent Search (formerly MAP) program and may take advantage of its optional above-level testing. Through Duke TIP’s 7th Grade Talent Search program, which focuses on the identification, recognition, and support of high-ability students, qualifying seventh grade students take college entrance exams alongside high school students. A large number of 7th grade Talent Search participants earn scores that many high school seniors would envy.