Hood River County School District

Talented and Gifted Students (TAG)

The Hood River County School District is committed to an educational program that recognizes and strives to maximize the unique value, academic needs and special talents of each student. Among the groups of children we seek to serve are those that meet the Oregon’s Department of Education’s definition of Talented and Gifted. It is our goal to identify, challenge and encourage, those students by facilitating and/or providing differentiated curriculum and instruction of significant depth and complexity to meet the individual rate and level of learning of each student.

Oregon Talented and Gifted Education:
The guidelines for identification and eligibility have been established by Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) which outline the specific requirements for Oregon Talented and Gifted Education. Students must be identified in the following areas:

A student is defined as Academically Talented in math or reading if he or she is able to score at or above the 97th percentile (higher than 97% of the test population) on a total test of academic skill in mathematics or reading. These tests are designed to measure a student's learning in comparison to other students of the same age. A student is defined as Intellectually Gifted if she or he is able to score at or above the 97th percentile (higher than 97% of the test population) on a test of cognitive (intellectual) ability. This test is designed to measure how an individual can solve problems that use words, numbers, and shapes. No single test score will be the sole criteria for identification. Behavioral, learning and/or performance evidence will also be included for the identification. Concerted efforts will be made to identify students from ethnically diverse cultures, students with disabilities, and students who are economically disadvantaged.

Step 1 - Screening/Referral

A conversation takes place between the student's parent(s) and teacher if there is a belief the student displays characteristics of giftedness. Exceptional performance indicators align with exceeding grade level standards and functioning at the top 3% of the population. If it is agreed there is specific evidence of exceptional performance in the academic areas of mathematics or reading or in the area of intellectual giftedness, then a referral can be initiated and the teacher will contact the HRCSD TAG Evaluators

The TAG Evaluators will gather information that will be considered as part of the evaluation process. The kinds of evidence collected may include the following:

• current work samples in academic areas of strength
• a parent questionnaire
• a teacher questionnaire
• nationally recognized standardized norm-referenced test(s)

Step 2 – Evaluation

The process for identifying students that are referred in grades k-2 will differ from grades 3 and above. Students will be assessed with a nationally normed reading or math test.  Students are required to place in the 97th percentile or higher in math, reading, or both to qualify for TAG.  Please note that in the early grades some students show achievement at a high level, but later are matched by their grade level peers. This is particularly common in children who have had early exposure to curriculum and instruction.

Step 3 - Identification

• Final identification as Academically Talented in Mathematics and/or Reading will be based upon the combined evidence collected during the evaluation process and confirmed with results from the standardized norm-referenced assessment score(s).
• All decisions are made by a school-based team and parents will be notified of all decisions.
• All documentation of referral, evaluation, and identification is maintained at the school level in the student's cumulative records.

Transfer Students
Students previously identified in other districts or states will be honored in the HRCSD. However, the identification procedure must include the multiple pieces of evidence that are recognizable as equivalent to the HRCSD document. Although the evidence for identification from a prior district may not be present in the cumulative file, there must be written documentation which supports the identification as described in the OARs. If the parent has questions regarding missing pieces of evidence, he or she should consult with the schools principal and/or TAG Coordinator.

Description of Services for Identified Students

• Once a student has been identified, either as Academically Talented in reading and/or mathematics, or as intellectually gifted, a plan of services is developed and is referred to as the student's TAG plan. This plan will be reviewed and revised each January. The plan is based upon the individual student's level and rate of learning.
• Level of learning is the student's instructional level in the curriculum, i.e., the place where the student will be successful but will encounter knowledge and skills he or she has not yet mastered.
• Rate of learning is the pace at which a student successfully progresses through the curriculum after being placed at the appropriate level. A student's rate of learning will vary depending on the subject; the point in the learning process; the degree of interest to the student; the level of difficulty of the material; and/or the learning style of the student.
• Classroom services to accommodate a student's level and rate of learning will focus on differentiated instruction but may include whole group instruction, flexible class grouping, cross-grade grouping, grade acceleration, compacting, teacher facilitation of independent contract work, or other modifications.

Rights of Parents of Talented and Gifted Students
If your student has been identified as Talented and Gifted based on criteria set by the OARs, you have rights as parents of a talented and gifted student. In carrying out the requirements of OAR 581-022-1320, the school district:

• informs parents at the time of the identification of the child of the programs and services available.
• provides an opportunity for parents to provide input to and discuss with the district the programs and services to be received by their child.
• notifies parents of the right to request, at any time, the withdrawal of their child from programs and services provided under OAR 581-022-1330.
• informs parents of their right to file a complaint under OAR 581-022-1940.

Local Complaint Procedure:
The HRCSD has a process for the prompt resolution of a complaint by a person who resides in the district or any parent or guardian of children attending school in the district. All complaints must be related to the district's

(a) identification process,
(b) programs and services for talented and gifted students, or
(c) rights of parents.

Parents wishing to make a complaint regarding any of the above issues in grades k-5 should contact the building principal who will refer the parent to the appropriate person depending on the nature of the complaint. If the resolution of the complaint is not satisfactory to the parent after attempting to resolve it with the principal, then the parent should file a written complaint with the District's TAG Program Administrator, Bill Newton at bill.newton@hoodriver.k12.or.us. If the complaint has not been resolved after 45 calendar days from filing a written complaint with the school district, the complainant may direct an appeal to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The complaint must allege a violation of standards of the Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) in Chapter 581, Division 022, and Sections 1310, 1320, 1330, or 1940.

HRCSD does not discriminate in regards to race, religion, sex, national origin ethnic background citizenship or physical disabilities.