Talented & Gifted Program (TAG)

Overview
The Forest Grove School District’s Talented & Gifted (TAG) program identifies students who demonstrate exceptional intellectual ability and/or advanced academic performance in reading and math. Identification is based on multiple measures, including standardized assessments, teacher and parent rating scales, anecdotal observations, work samples, and additional screening when needed. Talented and Gifted (TAG) referrals for K-12 students can be made by teachers, parents/guardians, anyone that knows the student, or the student themselves. Referrals are accepted year-round, though FGSD has designated windows for testing or processing.

TAG Identification & Individualized TAG Plans

Interested in TAG Services?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Where can I find the TAG Plan for FGSD?

FGSD website under TAG

When does FGSD give the universal screener for possible TAG identification?

TAG screening for all 4th and 6th grades takes place January-May (date depends on the teacher and school)

Who do I contact about my TAG student?

TAG Leads are assigned to each building and a list names can be found in the district TAG plan

When is a universal screener for TAG given to all students?

TAG screening for all 4th and 6th grades takes place January-May (date depends on the teacher and school)

What are some of the traits of a gifted learner?

Traits of a gifted student often, but not always:

Has advanced math skills and/or oral and/or written language skills; uses expressive language
Learns a second language quickly
Makes unique connections; understands systems; sees the "big picture"
Asks many questions; seeks in-depth information
Is nonconforming; risk-taking; independent
Has broad, varied and often intense and sustained interests, which are, at times, simultaneous
Is resourceful at finding solutions
Exhibits keen powers of observation
Is highly sensitive and insightful
Exhibits a moral concern early on; is empathetic
Makes nontraditional responses and/or products

How does FGSD meet the needs of TAG students?

Services that address a student’s rate of learning may include:

differentiated instruction
flexible grouping
independent projects
curriculum compaction

Services that address a student’s level of learning may include:

advanced classes
content acceleration in one or more subjects
whole-grade acceleration
post-secondary enrollment.

Other services that may address both and/or that may support the social needs of gifted children include

Pull out
Push in
School programs

TAG myths

The National Association for Gifted Children provides the following list of common Gifted Education Myths:

Gifted students don't need help; they'll do fine on their own
A student can't be gifted if they are receiving poor grades
Teachers challenge all the students, so gifted kids will be fine in the regular classroom
Gifted students are happy, popular, and well-adjusted in school
Gifted students make everyone else in the class smarter by providing a role model or a challenge
This child can't be gifted; he has a disability
All children are gifted
Our district has a gifted and talented program because we have AP courses.
Acceleration placement options are socially harmful for gifted students
Gifted education requires an abundance of resources
Gifted education programs are elitist