What is TAG?
The Round Rock ISD Programs for Talented and Gifted (TAG) students provide
special classes and/or services for students identified as having
significantly advanced general intellectual ability and/or specific subject
matter aptitude. TAG classes and/or services are available in Kindergarten-
5th grades at elementary, 6th-8th grades at middle school, and 9th-12th
grades at high school.
These programs provide an appropriately differentiated curriculum and ensure
the students are instructed in all essential elements and demonstrate an
acceptable degree of mastery. As needed, the programs modify delivery of
instruction for students by accelerating and providing for greater depth,
more complex content, and extensive enrichment activities.
Program Objectives for students
1. Gifted and talented students will develop their abilities in higher level,
more complex thinking skills including critical, creative, and productive
thinking activities that are extensions of the regular curriculum (Thinking
Skills).
2. Gifted and talented students will study advanced-level content and master
the major concepts, skills, and processes of specific disciplines in which
they demonstrate ability (Subject Mater Knowledge and Skills).
3. Gifted and talented students will develop the skills necessary for self-
directed learning, conduct independent studies and research projects, and
extend the regular curriculum to produce advanced-level products (Research
and Independent Study Skills).
4. Gifted and talented students will gain an understanding and respect for
each person's abilities, recognizing the similarities and differences between
themselves and others, and will develop their own unique abilities for the
betterment of both themselves and others (Self-Concept and Leadership).
Student Goals for Gifted/Talented Education
Thinking Skills
Gifted/talented students will develop their abilities in the higher level,
more complex thinking skills (including critical, creative, and productive
thinking) that are extensions of regular curriculum.
Subject Matter Knowledge and Skills
Gifted/Talented students will study advanced-level content and master the
major concepts, skills and processes of specific disciplines in which they
demonstrate ability.
Research and Independent Study Skills
Gifted/talented students will develop the skills necessary for self-directed
learning and will conduct independent studies and research projects that
extend the regular curriculum and result in advanced-level products.
Self-Concept Leadership
Gifted/talented students will gain an understanding and respect for each
person's abilities, recognizing the likenesses and differences between
themselves and others,
and will develop their own unique abilities for the betterment of both
themselves and society.
Testing and Identification
Should I refer?
Considerations:
1. Maturity of Student -- especially for primary.
2. Learning Style of Student -- self-directed, able to handle open-ended
tasks and long range planning.
3. Length of Testing -- especially for younger children -- approximately a
total of 8 hours
4. Nationally Normed Test Scores are used for two years.
How Do I Refer?
1. Attend parent information meeting held by TAG Teachers. Date to come…
2. Meet with student's teacher to review available test scores and discuss
student's progress and learning style.
3. Complete Referral Form and Permission to Test in Student Identification
Packet (download from link on this site) and turned in at the scheduled time.
Testing
Testing for participation in the Round Rock ISD Talented and Gifted Program
occurs once yearly. Test scores are valid for two years.
There will be an informational night on TAG referrals. Date to be announced
ASAP. To determine whether you should consider referring your child, please
attend this meeting and/or discuss the issue with your child's teacher.
If you miss this informational meeting, the link to view the Powerpoint
presentation will be available.
Referral forms will be accepted from November 16 - December 4. Forms may
be downloaded from the website or picked up in the main office during that
time period ONLY.
Testing for all students in grades K - 5 will take place during the school
day in January. This testing is for placement in the 2010 - 2011 school
year.
Characteristics of Gifted Children
Children Who Are Gifted in Language Arts...
• Play with language orally or in writing
• Love language
• Pursue activities both in and out of school related to language
• Love to read and read books significantly (three to four years) above grade
level
• Write spontaneously without prodding
Children Who Are Gifted in Mathematics...
• Have an extraordinary interest in numbers, their manipulation, use, and
application
• Are fascinated with numbers and demonstrate unique approaches to
mathematical problem solving
• Apply without assistance what he/she has learned about numbers and
mathematics to everyday life
Gifted Learners May Possess the Following Traits
• Be intellectually curious, innovative, and playful with ideas
• Enjoy the challenge and involvement of intellectual and creative tasks
• Have a keen and sometimes unique sense of humor
• Develop attitudes and interests at an early age which lead to divergent and
nonconformist behavior
• Formulate abstractions and show facility in moving form concrete to
abstract levels of thinking and of communicating
• Prefer complex tasks and process information in complex ways
• Read at an early age and comprehend with advanced comprehension
• Read widely and intensively in areas of special interest
• Acquire basic skill rapidly with minimum practice
Bright Child
Knows the answer
Is interested
Is attentive
Has good ideas
Works hard
Answers the questions
Top group
Listens with interest
Listens with ease
6-8 repetitions
Understands
Enjoys peers
Grasps meaning
Completes projects
Is receptive
Copies accurately
Enjoys school
Absorbs information
Technician
Good memorizer
Is alert
Is pleased with own learning
Enjoys straightforward, sequential presentations
Gifted Child
Asks the questions
Is highly curious
Is mentally and physically involved
Has wild and silly ideas
Plays around yet tests well
Discusses in detail
Beyond the group
Shows strong feelings and opinions
Already knows
1-2 repetitions
Constructs abstractions
Prefers adults
Draws inferences
Initiates projects
Is intense
Creates new designs
Enjoys learning
Manipulates information
Inventor
Good Guesser
Is keenly observant
Is highly self-critical
Thrives on complexity
by Janice Svabos
Challenge Magazine, 1985
Links to gifted sites (copy and paste in your browser)
http://www.txgifted.org/parent-pages/general
http://www.ih.k12.oh.us/MSHERRMANN/giftedres.htm
http://www.nagc.org/Other/index.html
http://www.gtequity.org/connecting.php