Outreach Support and Scholarship Grant for the Center for Talent Development

For this grant cycle, we propose targeted recruitment and talent development activities for students in schools and organizations that have created strong, consistent talent development pipelines to CTD programs and services. Directing resources to organizations that have already indicated a commitment to improving their gifted programs and serving more students from low-income households increases the impact of the funds. The schools and organizations have a pool of potentially eligible students, buy-in from staff, and trust from the families. In addition, maintaining our commitment to partners helps incentivize them to continue developing their own knowledge and skills and keep current students engaged in programming and on a talent development trajectory. CTD proposes the following allocation of grant funds: 1. Test fee waivers are available through College Board (SAT, not PSAT 8/9) and ACT. Grant funds will be used to cover the cost of 20 PSAT 8/9 tests for eligible students in grades 4-6. Grant fees will also help provide NUMATS fee waivers for up to 200 low-income students (grades 6 and 7) to take the PSAT 8/9, SAT or ACT. The NUMATS fee (charged to all NUMATS test takers) covers costs associated with providing families and school contacts online access to talent development resources, including test score interpretation guides, programming recommendations, access to CTD’s student and parent online communities, and our NUMATS statistical summary. (Total Cost: $9,900; Approximately 220 students served; PSAT 8/9 test fee approximately $15, NUMATS fee is $45) 2. Participation in CTD summer programs for students from the schools listed below (Total Cost - $44,500 for tuition scholarships; Students Served - 15-20 students for summer programs): Palmer Elementary, Chicago, IL; Chicago, IL; Chicago Jesuit Academy, Chicago, IL; Galapagos Charter School, Rockford, IL; 21st Century Charter School, Gary, IN 3. CTD Summer Program participation for students