Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
- What is TAG?
- What are some characteristics of gifted children?
- How do I get my child tested?
- Should I nominate my child?
- My child was in TAG at their previous school. What do I need to do?
- My child was in TAG before, but does not qualify here. WHY?
- I nominated my child in November. When will he be tested?
- How long does testing take?
- Do they just take one test, or are there more than one?
- Does all of the testing occur on the same day?
- How will I know what days you are testing my child?
- When will I know if my child gets into the TAG program?
- Which tests will my child be given?
- Can I have practice questions?
- What are the names of the tests you use?
- Would you look at my child and tell me if she is gifted?
What is TAG?
Round Rock ISD provides programs for students who have been identified as
talented and gifted (TAG). These students have significantly advanced
general intellectual abilities and specific subject matter aptitude in
language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Services are
available in Kindergarten through grade 12 (K - 12).
What are some characteristics of gifted children?
Facts on Gifted - (based on research compiled by Dr. J. Renzulli)
MOTIVATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Becomes absorbed and truly involved in certain topics or problems.
Prefers to work independently; requires little direction from teachers.
Is interested in many "adult problems" such as religion, politics, sex,
race.
Stubborn in his/her beliefs.
Strives toward perfection; is self critical; is not easily satisfied with
his/her own speed or products.
Is easily bored with routine tasks.
Needs little external motivation to follow through in work that initially
excites him/her.
LEARNING CHARACTERISTICS
Reasons things out for himself/herself.
Has unusually advanced vocabulary for age or grade level
Wants to know what makes thing or people "tick".
Usually "sees more" or "gets more" out of a story, film, etc. than others.
Has quick mastery and recall of factual information.
How do I get my child tested?
TAG teachers offer a Parent Information Night in late October or early
November each year for parents who are interested in having their child
screened for Round Rock's TAG program. (Watch for a flyer to come home in
October!) This year's Parent Information Night is scheduled for Tuesday,
October 24th from 5:30 - 6:30 Pm in our FCE Library. Also, each year,
parents are able to nominate their child for
testing. During the Nomination Period, you may request a nomination packet
from your child's regular teacher or pick one up in the main office.
Should I nominate my child?
We suggest that you speak with your child's homeroom teacher and get their
opinion as to whether they see gifted characteristics in your child.
Remember that gifted students are not always the brightest student in the
classroom.
My child was in TAG at their previous school. What do I need to do?
Parents of transfer students need to let our registrar know that your child
was in a gifted program at their previous school. The registrar then
requests testing scores and information from their previous school and
notifies us. The campus TAG teachers then have 30 days in which to screen
the child for our program.
My child was in TAG before, but does not qualify here. WHY?
Each school district in Texas and in different states use different
assessments, qualifiers, and criteria for their gifted program. What
qualifies in one school district does not necessarily tranfer to another.
I nominated my child in November. When will he be tested?
All testing occurs in January.
How long does testing take?
It takes approximately 6 hours to test each child nominated for the TAG
Program.
Do they just take one test, or are there more than one?
According to the Texas State Plan for the Gifted, school districts need to
use at least three assessments to screen students for the gifted program.
Does all of the testing occur on the same day?
No. Assessments are spread out over more than one day.
How will I know what days you are testing my child?
Notes are sent home with the nominee notifying parents that their child's
testing is about to begin. Exact dates and times are not provided. Nominees
are also provided with a note to take home when their assessments are
complete.
When will I know if my child gets into the TAG program?
Parents are notified through the mail as to whether their child qualifies
for the TAG program or not in early May. Services will begin the following
school year.
Which tests will my child be given?
Your child will be given tests that screen for their personal reasoning
ability, and achievement tests. Teachers, as well parents are asked to
complete a scaled assessment on the nominee in where they see the child in
various areas.
Can I have practice questions?
No. Sample tests are not available for students to use as that would negate
the nationally-normed scoring validity.
What are the names of the tests you use?
I'm sorry, but we do not give that information out. The district changes
which assessments they use from time to time to help remain current in
testing criteria.
Would you look at my child and tell me if she is gifted?
Unfortunately, we cannot tell whether a child is gifted or not by their
appearance. Giftedness deals more with how their brain functions and their
reasoning abilities than in how they look.
