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Longview ISD middle school students have earned state recognition for their scores on college entrance exams. These 17 students are among the top 25 percent of Duke University’s annual 16-state talent search.

Not only that, but Longview ISD Director of Instruction Beth Bassett said four students also received national recognition.

'Basically what that means is these middle school students scored better than 90 percent of college-bound juniors and seniors taking the SAT or ACT tests,' she said. 'That's really quite remarkable.'

2018 Duke Identification Program scholars earning Grand Recognition are: Delia Fourie, Reagan Hull, Hannah McCrory, and Kayden Newhouse.

Longview ISD students earning State Recognition are: Jordan Allen, Chloe Alzaga, Luke Archer, Jefferson Dunaway, Delia Fourie, Seth Fulton, Abigail Hilton, Christina Holder, Reagan Hull, Mary Leak, Jair Lopez, Nathaniel McAlister, Harrison Mcauley, Hannah McCrory, Kayden Newhouse, Jax Norman, and Mikeia Robertson.

These students will be honored during the Monday, May 14 Board of Trustees meeting.

Bassett said students from the three LISD middle schools qualified to take the test based on their performance on the STAAR test. Of that group, students enrolled to take either the SAT or ACT, the same tests that college bound high schoolers take.

'The results are not about getting into college but about evaluating academic potential,' she added.

Recognition is determined by the scores on the college entrance tests and include State and Grand Recognition.

Students achieving national distinction are invited to the Grand Ceremony at Duke University to honor the 7th Grade Talent Search participants who meet the grand level-qualifying score criteria. Held at Cameron Indoor Stadium on the Duke University campus, students receive a commemorative medal.

Bassett said the program 'identifies and supports academically talented students.'

'Students identified to participate in the TIP complete either the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT Assessment college entrance examination,' she said. 'The goal of the program is to assist young people with excellent mathematical or verbal aptitudes by providing comparative information concerning their academic abilities and resources for unique educational opportunities.'

Bassett said some options to be considered for these students include enrolling in an advanced or honors level course, conducting in-depth independent study in the area of strength, and participating in accelerated and/or enrichment programs during the summer.