The City College of New York

of the City University of New York

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������� What is the most sought after achievements of ambitious youth in our country today? � Some say its money, some say power, and others claim all young people want to do is party and have the easy life.� However, there's something else.� I'm not denying that these previous goals mentioned are not wanted dearly, but there is still one thing you must achieve before you can have any of these.� And that, is SUCCESS.

������� Success, is probably the most important goal in the United States today.� However, achieving this widely sought-after goal, one must undergo a lot of hard work and decision making.� Here are a few essays written by CUNY students who have achieved "success". Click on a names to read that person's essay.

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Mariolga mentions that if she had had an academic mentor, things might have been a lot easier.� That's where the Teaching Thinking Project (TTP) comes in!

The teaching Thinking Project uses an introductory psychology class to teach college skills.� The students are exposed to college level course work and learn skills that will help them in the transition from high school to college.� Students learn how to use analytic, practical and creative/synthesis thinking skills in writing and taking exams.� This course is specially appropriate for those students interested in medicine, engineering, business and general studies.� It can also help any student make progress after High School in whatever field they choose

The TTP is also a research project that uses Robert Sternberg's triarchic model of intelligence to identify gifted students among ethnic minority groups, to teach students to use a wide range of high-end thinking skills based on the triarchic model, and develop supportive mechanisms to sustain the thinking skills learned in the intervention.� This applied research project also explores how supportive mentorship from college students and high school peers enhances the effectiveness of the intervention (as is previously mentioned in Mariolga's essay).

We recruit students from New York high schools.� Students must have outstanding academic qualifications to be considered.� All students will be assessed on a thinking measure prior to selection. � We usually test 30 to 35 students each semester.

It is well recognized that students from Latino and African ethnic origins are underrepresented in programs for the gifted, and in higher education programs in mathematics and science. � The reasons for this underrepresentation are varied and complex, including factors like family life and history, income, educational practice, and test performance. � Young women among Latinos and African Americans may be a particular talent pool that has not been sufficiently tapped.

In response to the need to think about the diversity of intellectual ability, Sternberg (1986) developed a triarchic model for the identification, instruction, and assessment of gifted children.� Sternberg theorizes that there are three major ability factors that are important in life activities and gifted performance: analytic, creative, and practical abilities.� These abilities are hypothesized to be important in and outside of the school environment.

The students will participate in a three-credit Introductory Psychology course, Applications of Psychology in the Modern World. � The class is held three time per week at CUNY's City College of New York.� Course requirements include:

• Three exams (multiple choice and essay questions)
• Three writing assignments
• Writing skills and computer workshops

Along with attending classes students must have time to meet with their mentors (1 hour) and peer coaches (half hour) weekly. � In total, students must commit approximately nine hours a week to the course, plus 3 additional hours per semester for computer workshops.

• Access to CCNY facilities, including library and computer privileges
• Unlimited use of TTP lab and its resources
• Tutoring and mentoring
• Developing skills that will help students to be successful in college
• A stipend for participation

So, If you are interested in more information about the TTP (even though there's tons of it here!) you can e-mail Dr. Deborah Coates, head of TTP, at: [email protected].� You can also contact Dr. Coates on the phone at (212) 650-5696.

This page is still under major construction.� Later updates to this page will include some in-depth information about The National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented (NCR/GUT), some links to other sites on the web which pertain to the TTP, and in general, the site will be a lot spiffier so check back real soon!

�1998 TTP.� This website and all the graphics found on it have been designed by Josh Vietze.� Please do not use any graphics or text bits from this site without the webmaster's permission. � If you are in need of help for designing personal or commercial webpages and web graphics feel free to e-mail me at [email protected]