Talented and Gifted Programs
Here are some frequently asked questions about the TAG programs at Bear Creek.
What is TAG?
TAG stands for Talented and Gifted, an identification for advanced learners.
How is a child identified?
The identification of these students is a serious, time consuming process. Our teachers are trained to notice and adapt instruction in the classroom when a child displays advanced skills. Often identification is the result of the careful observation of at least two teachers a child has had.
Several tests are given in the areas of spatial relations, language arts, and mathc. The testing takes a total of about 2 1/2 to 3 hours and is done in small sections over several days. In the upper grades, CSAP scores are also evaulated every year in an effort to find high ability learners. Testing is conducted after parent-teacher conferences. The first round is done in November/December, the second in April/May. The testing can be stressful, especially for students in the primary grades who have no experience with standardized testing.
What do the tests measure?
The tests do not measure a student's mastery of classroom materila. Rather, they measure a child's ability to reason and use logic in solving problems. They are not tests of what a child knows, but how he/she thinks. There is no way to prepare for these kinds of tests.
Are test scores the only information considered?
No. In addition to the tests, parents, teachers, and sometimes specialists are asked to fill out questionnaires that help give the TAG advisor a broader, more complete picture of the child.
What happens to all this information?
The information is used to come up with a plan to meet the advanced academic needs of the child.
How are these needs typically met?
It varies from child to child. TAG is only an identification; there is no special curriculum. Each child's needs are assessed during the identification process. We feel confident that most TAG identified students do have their individual needs met by their classroom teachers. Bear Creek's faculty is trained to differentiate instruction and they do an excellent job. However, on occasion a teacher may feel a child or a small group of children would benefit from advanced instruction in a particular subject, usually math or writing. These groups can last anywhere from a few weeeks to a trimester or two. This arrangement is very flexible to accommodate the activities in the classroom and the needs of the student.
Who works with these groups?
Nell Jordan, Bear Creek's Talented and Gifted Academic Advisor
This is an academic tutor position that consists of 20hours per week and runs from about the middle of September until middle of May. The hours are 8:30am to 3pm, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. It's important to note that this is a TAG coordinator position, not a TAG teacher position. (There are no TAG teachers in this district.) Presently, the TAG advisor spends the majority of her time working with identified children in the regular classroom.
Who decides which child goes with which groups?
The information derived from the testing is used to qualify a child for TAG identification in the areas of spatial relations, language arts, math, a combination of any two, or all three. The area of identification guides the staff when forming special groupings. Since there are a large number of TAG students at Bear Creek, we can only service children in their area(s) of identification.
We are trying to move away from pull-out groups; they are used sparingly. Our TAG readers are challenged in the regular classroom in a variety of innovative ways. Students who are identified in math will sometimes receive additional instruction.
If my child is not in TAG, is s/he missing out on something?
No! TAG is not a club; it's only an identification. We strive to provide a well rounded and enriched experience for all our students. Every child at Bear Creek is accelerated by one year in math. In 5th grade, the grade level is divided into 6th or 7th grade math. Every child is exposed at some point to the William and Mary High Ability Language Arts curriculum and to Junior Great Books. At most elementary schools, these special extensions are considered TAG programming and are usually taught by parent volunteers, but at Bear Creek, every child has these advantages! Every parent can feel confident that his or her child is being challenged in the classroom. Bear Creek is one of a small percentage of Colorado schools that received a rating of "Excellent" from the state. This rating reflects the work done in the classroom EVERY SINGLE DAY!
What if I need more information?
The BVSD TAG website is an excellent source of information. Please visit it at http://bvsd.org/tag/.
Special Education Programs
The special education team at Bear Creek Elementary consists of a resource teacher, a school social worker, an occupational therapist, a communication specialist, a school nurse and several paraeducators. This team provides services to students identified with special needs through a legal document called an Individual Education Plan (IEP) that is mandated within the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This plan outlines individual students' needs as well as specific goals and objectives that are carefully aligned with state standards for education.
Students receive support for a variety of reasons, which may include learning challenges, speech and language difficulties, physical and/or emotional disabilities. In some cases, Bear Creek services students who have been identified as being both gifted and learning disabled. Depending on the recommendations of the staffing team, children may receive additional support from the school social worker, the communication specialist and/or the occupational therapist.
Special education programming accommodates children's needs in what is known as the "least restrictive environment" (LRE). That is, students are provided with support services in their regular classroom whenever possible. However, in some cases, children may need additional or alternative instruction to improve their skills. If this is the case, they may come to the resource room for individual or small group lessons. The resource room is also a good place to receive extra support with schoolwork and to learn additional academic or behavioral strategies.
The values that drive special education programming at Bear Creek focus on identifying students' strengths and using these strengths to improve academic weaknesses. The primary goal of these support services is to help students reach their academic potential in all areas. In addition, students are encouraged to develop independent thinking and learning skills and to take responsibility for themselves as learners. In the intermediate grades, they are also encouraged to become familiar with their learning styles and to advocate for themselves when necessary.