Davidson Institute for Talent Development

The Davidson Institute for Talent Development is a nationwide nonprofit organization established by former educational software entrepreneurs, Bob and Jan Davidson. The organization's mission is to support the needs of profoundly gifted children through information resources, networking and educational opportunities, family support, advocacy, and scholarships.^[1]

Background

After selling the successful software company Davidson & Associates in 1997, Bob and Jan Davidson's focus shifted to philanthropy, with the intent of helping America's brightest young students. Deciding that gifted students are arguably the most underserved and neglected in America’s educational system, this led to them establishing the Davidson Institute for Talent Development in 1999.^[2]

Programs

The Davidson Institute seeks to provide support to gifted students, as well as their parents and educators, through a number of programs and services.

Davidson Young Scholars

The Davidson Young Scholars is a program designed to support the educational and developmental needs of profoundly intelligent young people between the ages of 5 and 18 in the United States.^[3] This program also seeks to assist parents and students with academic support and educational advocacy, child and adolescent development, and talent development.

As of December 2010, there are more than 1,800 students in the Young Scholars program.^[4]

THINK Summer Institute

The THINK Summer Institute is a three-week residential summer program on the campus of the University of Nevada, Reno for profoundly gifted 13- to 16-year-old students. Attendees are given the opportunity to earn six transferable college credits. To attend, students must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent U.S. resident living in the United States.^[5]

In the inaugural year of THINK (2004), 19 students attended. In 2010, 60 students attended.^[6]

The Davidson Academy of Nevada

The Davidson Academy of Nevada was created following state legislation in 2005 that designated it as a “university school for profoundly gifted pupils.” The Davidsons decided to create the Academy as an outgrowth of the THINK Summer Institute, upon learning of the interest shown by many of the parents of the students who attended the summer program.^[7] Located on the campus of the University of Nevada, Reno, the Academy is a free public school for profoundly gifted middle and high school level students.

In the Academy's inaugural year (2006–2007), 35 students were enrolled. For the current year (2010–2011), 123 students are enrolled.^[8]

Davidson Fellows

The Davidson Fellows Scholarship recognizes young people under the age of 18 who have completed an original, significant piece of work with the potential to make a positive contribution to society in science, technology, mathematics, music, literature, philosophy or a category called "Outside the Box." ^[9]

Davidson Fellow Laureates are awarded $50,000 scholarships, and Davidson Fellows are awarded either a $25,000 or $10,000 scholarship. Since the scholarship began in 2001, 146 students have been awarded more than $3.6 million.^[10]

Educators Guild

The Davidson Institute's Educators Guild is a free national service for teachers, counselors and school administrators. The program seeks to connect members with colleagues and helps them locate resources and discuss strategies for identifying and serving highly gifted students. Members have access to electronic mailings lists, discussion lists, and the Davidson Institute's team of consultants.^[11]

Davidson Gifted Database

The Davidson Gifted Database provides numerous resources for and about gifted students. The database features search capabilities for articles and resources, as well as state policy pages featuring information specific to each state. The site also includes links to a discussion forum, blog and events calendar.^[12]

Genius Denied

Co-authored by Jan and Bob Davidson with Laura Vanderkam in 2004, Genius Denied: How to Stop Wasting our Bright Young Minds narrates the frustrations and successes often experienced by gifted students and their parents. The book, published by Simon & Schuster, describes how the needs of the brightest students in America often are not met, as the focus has shifted to underperforming students in recent times. It also provides parents tips on how to help their gifted children and advocate on their behalf.^[13]

See also

• Davidson Academy of Nevada
• Davidson & Associates
• Gifted Pull-out

References

1. ^ Oh Baby! Look Who's Reading the Paper". NBC's Today Show. 2009-4-22. http://allday.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/04/22/1903068.aspx
2. ^ Bob and Jan Davidson - Founders". Davidson Institute Press Room. http://presskit.ditd.org/Davidson_Institute_Press_Kit/ditd_bobandjandavidson_bio.html
3. ^ Mentoring a young intellect". Kettering University. 2008-5-12. http://www.kettering.edu/visitors/storydetail.jsp?storynum=2758
4. ^ Davidson Young Scholars Home Page. http://www.davidsongifted.org/youngscholars/
5. ^ THINK Summer Institute - Frequently Asked Questions". Davidson Institute website. http://www.davidsongifted.org/think/think/Article/THINK_Summer_Institute___Frequently_Asked_Questions_371.aspx
6. ^ No genius left behind? Reno academy caters to smart students". USA Today. 2009-8-4. http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-08-04-genius-davidson_N.htm
7. ^ Some New Help for the Extremely Gifted". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/26/education/26gifted.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&sq&st=cse
8. ^ The Davidson Academy of Nevada - Fact Sheet". Davidson Academy Press Room. http://presskit.ditd.org/Davidson_Academy/Academy_Fact_Sheet.html
9. ^ Vancouver School of Arts and Academics student gets $50,000 scholarship". The Oregonian. 2009-8-12. http://www.oregonlive.com/education/index.ssf/2009/08/vancouver_school_of_arts_and_a.html
10. ^ Davidson Fellows Home Page. http://www.davidsongifted.org/fellows/
11. ^ Hoagies' Gifted website - "Online Support". http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/on-line_support.htm
12. ^ Oh Baby! Look Who's Reading the Paper". NBC's Today Show. 2009-4-22. http://allday.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/04/22/1903068.aspx
13. ^ Child Geniuses Find A Home". CBS News. 2005-10-30. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/10/30/sunday/main994824_page2.shtml?tag=contentMain;contentBody

External links

• Official Site
• Davidson Academy of Nevada
• Genius Denied
• Cover story Time, August 27, 2007