Talented and Gifted Evaluation

The PPS Talented and Gifted evaluation is the metric by which students are identified as talented and gifted in the district. There are different processes by which students can be identified as talented and gifted, and evaluations vary depending on circumstances. Students can be TAG designated for intellectual ability or specifically through reading and math. The two routes to TAG are through district assessment or referral, and there is an appeals process that can be important for students who are not initially TAG-identified.

District Assessment

TAG evaluation through district assessment is based on different assessments, one in intellectual ability, and the other in reading and math.

The first district assessment that can serve as a TAG evaluation occurs in second grade, when the district administers the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT). This exam is based on pattern recognition and visual reasoning skills with the goal of overcoming language and reading ability barriers associated with English learners and some learning disabilities.

The top 5% scorers on the test that year are flagged for TAG consideration, and their parents are notified of this score and given the option to opt out of the further evaluation process. This notice is not considered TAG identification yet, but is the beginning of the process of TAG evaluation. The process then proceeds with an academic review.

If a child did not score in the top 5% of testers in second grade taking the NNAT, their state test scores are monitored. The Oregon Statewide Assessment System and MAP growth tests generally assess reading and math ability. If at any year between third and eighth grade they score in the top 5% of testers, this score is flagged and notice is sent to the student's parents about the eligibility for TAG-identification. This notice alone does not qualify as official TAG identification, but is the beginning of the evaluation process. The process then proceeds with an academic review.

K-12 Referral

If a child does not qualify for TAG evaluation through any district administered assessments, a parent, teacher, or the student themselves may refer the student to TAG evaluation. The student or parent should contact their teacher to request that the teacher fills out the TAG referral form by the deadline, which varies by year but is usually at some point in early January. If the referral is based on intellectual ability, the NNAT is administered (see above). If the student is referred based on mathematic or reading ability, these are not subsequently assessed as the evaluation process proceeds based on student work and previous test scores.

TAG Evaluation and Academic Review

Students get to this stage of evaluation either based on test scores as described previously, or via self referral in mathematics and reading. Teachers collect samples of student work and review evaluations and other checklists to report their observations of eligibility for each student. Then, the school's TAG team reviews these materials submitted by the teacher as well as whatever materials initially flagged the student for evaluation, if applicable. If the coordinators believe that the student qualifies for the TAG program and that they would benefit from the extra services TAG identification offers, they will notify the family of the decision whether or not the child will be TAG identified via email. This either occurs by the end of January for children identified via testing or by the end of April for children identified via referral.

Appeals Process

Parents have a right to appeal TAG identification decisions if they feel as though their children were not properly identified in the first round of eligibility consideration.

Appeal documentation should address areas that do not meet eligibility criteria, which should be information that is included in the decision email from the TAG committee. A parent can (and should, for better results), include any additional assessments, written teacher comments, proof of achievement in at least one grade level above the current grade level, work samples that demonstrate a child's achievement and work quality, and information about the child's linguistic and cultural needs. The latter inclusion can be particularly important for children who are multilingual, English learners (particularly for students that did not get flagged via the NNAT), or those with learning disabilities.

Instructions for the appeal can be accessed here, and the form is accessible directly or through this page.

Next Steps

If your child is identified as TAG, a variety of programs and services are availible to them. A description of these schools and services is available.