FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
1. How does my child get tested for TAG?
2. When is the referral window?
3. Who may refer students for TAG testing?
4. How can I get a referral packet?
5. What does TAG look like at Purple Sage?
6. How is TAG math different from the regular classroom math?
7. Will my student participate in an Independent Study Project (ISP)?
8. Where can I find more information about GT Services in Round Rock?
____________________________________________________________________
1. How does my child get tested for TAG?
Students are referred for TAG testing during a referral window in the fall. Testing occurs in late January to early February, and a decision is made in late spring about an appropriate placement. TAG services begin, for those who qualify, in the last quarter of the year.
____________________________________________________________________
2. When is the referral window?
The window opens Monday, November 14 and closes Tuesday, December 6, 2016. No late referrals will be accepted.
____________________________________________________________________
3. Who may refer students for TAG testing?
A parent or a teacher may refer a student for testing; it is not necessary for both parent and teacher to do so. Please talk to your child's teacher about your interest in testing your child for TAG.
____________________________________________________________________
4. How can I get a referral packet?
Packets, in English and Spanish, may be downloaded and printed from the district website (Departments, Gifted and Advanced Academic Services, TAG Referral Documents) during the referral window, from Nov. 14th to Dec. 6th. If you do not have the ability to print from the website, a limited number of referral packets, in English or Spanish, will be available in the front office after Nov. 14th.
____________________________________________________________________
5. What does TAG look like at Purple Sage?
Students in kindergarten receive whole-class enrichment lessons from the TAG teacher once a month. Identified students in grades 1 and 2 primarily receive services through their TAG-certified regular classroom teacher, along with a once-a-week pull-out by the TAG Specialist. TAG students in grades 3-5 begin daily classes in language arts and/or math, depending on the area of identification, from the TAG Specialist. They may also receive additional enrichment in the areas of science and/or social studies through their TAG-certified regular-classroom teacher.
____________________________________________________________________
6. How is TAG math different from the regular classroom math?
The TAG math curriculum compacts TEKS in grades 3-8 into grades 3-6. In 3rd grade, students compact 3rd and learn most of 4th grade math. In 4th grade, students will compact any remaining 4th grade skills while learning 5th grade math. In grade 5, students learn 6th and part of 7th grade math. By middle school, students either advance to an Accelerated Math (compacting 6th and learning all of 7th grade math) or 6th grade TAG Math (other part of 7th grade math and all of 8th grade math). The math curriculum has a heavy emphasis on critical thinking and problem solving.
____________________________________________________________________
7. Will my student participate in an Independent Study Project (ISP)?
All TAG students are required to participate in independent study projects; students in grades 1-5 will do one project in the fall and one project in the spring. The spring project, for all grade levels, is a Passion Project that has a future-career component.
____________________________________________________________________
8. Where can I find more information about GT Services in Round Rock?
The district website is a great source of additional information. Under Departments, find Gifted and Advanced Academic Services, then click on the rectangular box at the top of the page that says, "TAG Referral Documents." Download the packet and turn in the last two pages of the packet before Dec. 6, 2016 (https://roundrockisd.org/departments/gifted-and-advanced-academic-services/)
1. How does my child get tested for TAG?
2. When is the referral window?
3. Who may refer students for TAG testing?
4. How can I get a referral packet?
5. What does TAG look like at Purple Sage?
6. How is TAG math different from the regular classroom math?
7. Will my student participate in an Independent Study Project (ISP)?
8. Where can I find more information about GT Services in Round Rock?
____________________________________________________________________
1. How does my child get tested for TAG?
Students are referred for TAG testing during a referral window in the fall. Testing occurs in late January to early February, and a decision is made in late spring about an appropriate placement. TAG services begin, for those who qualify, in the last quarter of the year.
____________________________________________________________________
2. When is the referral window?
The window opens Monday, November 14 and closes Tuesday, December 6, 2016. No late referrals will be accepted.
____________________________________________________________________
3. Who may refer students for TAG testing?
A parent or a teacher may refer a student for testing; it is not necessary for both parent and teacher to do so. Please talk to your child's teacher about your interest in testing your child for TAG.
____________________________________________________________________
4. How can I get a referral packet?
Packets, in English and Spanish, may be downloaded and printed from the district website (Departments, Gifted and Advanced Academic Services, TAG Referral Documents) during the referral window, from Nov. 14th to Dec. 6th. If you do not have the ability to print from the website, a limited number of referral packets, in English or Spanish, will be available in the front office after Nov. 14th.
____________________________________________________________________
5. What does TAG look like at Purple Sage?
Students in kindergarten receive whole-class enrichment lessons from the TAG teacher once a month. Identified students in grades 1 and 2 primarily receive services through their TAG-certified regular classroom teacher, along with a once-a-week pull-out by the TAG Specialist. TAG students in grades 3-5 begin daily classes in language arts and/or math, depending on the area of identification, from the TAG Specialist. They may also receive additional enrichment in the areas of science and/or social studies through their TAG-certified regular-classroom teacher.
____________________________________________________________________
6. How is TAG math different from the regular classroom math?
The TAG math curriculum compacts TEKS in grades 3-8 into grades 3-6. In 3rd grade, students compact 3rd and learn most of 4th grade math. In 4th grade, students will compact any remaining 4th grade skills while learning 5th grade math. In grade 5, students learn 6th and part of 7th grade math. By middle school, students either advance to an Accelerated Math (compacting 6th and learning all of 7th grade math) or 6th grade TAG Math (other part of 7th grade math and all of 8th grade math). The math curriculum has a heavy emphasis on critical thinking and problem solving.
____________________________________________________________________
7. Will my student participate in an Independent Study Project (ISP)?
All TAG students are required to participate in independent study projects; students in grades 1-5 will do one project in the fall and one project in the spring. The spring project, for all grade levels, is a Passion Project that has a future-career component.
____________________________________________________________________
8. Where can I find more information about GT Services in Round Rock?
The district website is a great source of additional information. Under Departments, find Gifted and Advanced Academic Services, then click on the rectangular box at the top of the page that says, "TAG Referral Documents." Download the packet and turn in the last two pages of the packet before Dec. 6, 2016 (https://roundrockisd.org/departments/gifted-and-advanced-academic-services/)