1. TAG and the Law

2. ORS/TAG Law/Oregon Administrative Rules
Identification of Academically Talented and Intellectually Gifted Students
Rights of Parents of Talented and Gifted Students
Programs and Services for Talented and Gifted Students
Appeal Procedure
Guidance and Counseling
Individual Student Assessment, Recordkeeping, and Reporting

3. 581-022-1310: Identification of Academically Talented and Intellectually Gifted Students
In Salem-Keizer teachers and staff make an intentional effort through our strategic screening period to identify students from:
ethnic minorities,
students with disabilities,
students who are culturally different or
economically disadvantaged backgrounds
Screening tools include: Student Find/Purdue and Kingore Observation Inventory (KOI).

4. The school staff members led by the TAG Advocate will collect multiple pieces of evidence for identification.
This may include:
work samples,
classroom performance data,
teacher/parent observation,
testing,
other behavioral, learning and/or performance information.

5. The TAG team will include all collected information for the identification of students.
The school TAG team shall make the decisions on the identification of students. No single test, measure or score shall be the sole criterion for identification.

6. 581-022-1310: Identification of Academically Talented and Intellectually Gifted Students
Identifying criteria for intellectually gifted
at or above the 97th percentile on a nationally standardized test of mental ability.
Identifying criteria for academically talented
at or above the 97th percentile on a test of total reading or a test of total mathematics from a nationally standardized test battery or a nationally standardized test of reading or mathematics. OAKS is recognized in the Oregon Administrative Rules as a tool for identification.
Potential to Perform
in Salem-Keizer we identify students who demonstrate the potential to perform at the 97th percentile using two or more risk factors as evidence of potential.

7. 581-022-1320: Rights of Parents of Talented and Gifted Students
The school shall:
send home to parents the TAG Parent Handbook* at the time the student is identified. This handbook informs parents of the services available as well as their rights and responsibilities.
*Also available on the TAG Website:

8. The school shall:
communicate to parents the programs and services to be received by their child and also provide an opportunity for parents to offer input.
communicate and provide input opportunities that include but are not limited to:
Secondary Course Plans-TAG Considerations/Elementary TAG Instructional Plans, Parent Input Form* (located in school office), and parent conferences.
*Also available on the TAG Website:

9. 581-022-1330: Programs and Services for Talented and Gifted Students
Instruction provided to identified students shall address their assessed levels and rates of learning.
The development of an appropriate academic instructional program should include:
formative assessment/other progress records
pre-assessments
achievement information that demonstrates the student's level of learning and rate of learning
formal tests
student interest, style, and learning preferences
other measures determined by the school district to be relevant

10. RATE AND LEVEL DEFINED
LEVEL OF LEARNING is the student’s instructional level in the curriculum, the place where the student will be successful, but will encounter new knowledge and skills he or she has not yet learned or mastered.
RATE OF LEARNING is a measure of the pace at which a student successfully progresses through the curriculum after being placed at the appropriate level.

11. 581-022-1670: Individual Student Assessment, Recordkeeping, and Reporting
In Salem-Keizer teachers assess and record students’ progress in all areas of instruction, including academic content standards.
According to pre-assessment data teachers will adapt curriculum and instruction to meet the learning levels and rates for all students to ensure continued growth and progress.
Records of student performance:
teacher grade books,
student folders/portfolios, or
similar devices.

12. Documentation of Rate and Level
Teachers must document how they meet the TAG student’s level and rate of instruction.
Some examples (not inclusive):
noting types of grouping in lesson plans.
recording differentiation of lesson for different ability groups.
writing short notes as to how pace of lesson was adapted.
saving work samples.
keeping a record of pre-assessment data used to form groups or instruction.
additionally, elementary teachers document rate and level on the Elementary TAG Instructional Plan

13. 581-022-1510: Guidance and Counseling
Salem-Keizer School District provides a coordinated guidance and counseling program to support the educational and career development of students.
Guidance and counseling program assists students in:
developing decision-making skills
obtaining information about self
understanding the educational opportunities and alternatives available to them
establishing tentative career and educational goals
accepting responsibility for their own actions
developing skills in interpersonal relations
utilizing instructional and community resources

14. For Discussion
Can a student can be identified by using the OAKS scores alone?
Should a student who scores in the 97th percentile or above on a nationally standardized or Oregon state test be looked at further for possible TAG identification?
Must parents have the opportunity to give input regarding the TAG services their child receives?
Should the instruction provided to identified TAG students focus solely on level of learning?
Can a teacher adapt the rate and level of learning for a TAG student by implementing differentiated instruction?