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PARENTS
OF TAG STUDENTS IN GRADES 5, 6, 7, AND 8
TAG
testing in the spring can be rather confusing for TAG parents. Multiple
communications are sent to all parents throughout the district with
information about spring testing for TAG. Please let me try to clarify
this process as it pertains to students already in TAG:
5th
GRADE
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All 5th
grade TAG students (both Explorations and Math) will automatically
be tested in the spring, during regular school hours, for placement in
6th grade TAG classes.
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Parents do not need to submit a
referral form for their TAG
5th grade students.
The referral forms are for parents of students in grades 5-8 who are
not already in TAG. They should submit either a TAG referral or
reconsideration form. (Parents
of TAG students in grades 6-8 may also submit a form to request
consideration for additional subject areas for TAG classes)
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Testing for 5th grade TAG students
will take place in February and March, 2009, during regular
Explorations classes. TAG Math-only students will also be pulled
from LA/SS class to test with the Explorations students for 6th
grade TAG placement in the other three subject areas.
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The same tests used for TAG
identification in HPISD will be administered to
5th grade TAG students, including the OLSAT (Otis Lennon Abilities
Test), the TTCT (Torrance Test of Creative Thinking), and the
Stanford Achievement Test, which is administered one grade level
above in
Language Arts,
Social Studies, Science, and Math. Current teachers will also
complete new GATES forms. Students already in TAG Math will not take
the Math subtest. They will automatically be placed in 6th grade TAG
Math, provided their performance in 5th grade
TAG Math class has
been satisfactory.
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Test results and TAG placement for 6th
grade TAG classes will be mailed to all TAG 5th grade parents
in early May. The selection committee first determines placement for
students who tested in the spring for initial TAG identification, and
then the placement decisions are made for those students already in the
TAG program needing specific subject area placement or additional areas
for TAG.
6th,
7th,
8th GRADES
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If a
student is already participating in TAG classes, but not identified for
all 4 subject areas (Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Math)
parents may submit a referral form for "Additional Areas.” (see
attachment) The student will not be required to attend the
Saturday spring testing, but the selection committee will consider
additional TAG areas for that student based on previous test scores,
recent GATES from current teachers in the requested subject areas, and
the student's classroom performance.
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If the committee feels additional
testing is necessary, it will be done during regular school hours.
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Once the selection committee
determines whether additional TAG areas are appropriate for each
student referred, final placement letters will be mailed to the
parents, usually in early May.
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Only those
parents who request additional areas by
December 4, 2009, will receive placement letters in May.PLEASE
NOTE: If a student is already identified for TAG in all 4 core
areas,
no further testing is necessary. The student will remain eligible
for TAG classes in all 4 subject areas throughout grades 6-12.
HIGH SCHOOL REGISTRATION
If you
have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me via email.
Melody
Fulbright Turet
Gifted
Specialist
TAG
Department Chair
HPMS/MIS
turetm@hpisd.org
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