TAG at The Pointe
Johnson, Newman and
{Talented and Gifted Program}
Purpose of the Program
The TAG program is
designed to serve the
specific academic and social-
emotional needs of
exceptional students.
The TAG Model
Here at Elkins Pointe, we
used a Mixed Model to
serve our TAG students.
In these classes made up of
both TAG identified
students as well as other
advanced learners,
instruction follows best
practices for teaching gifted
students. These mixed
model classes place an
emphasis on academic rigor
and address needs specific
to high-achieving learners.
Eligibility Criteria
A student is eligible for TAG
two different ways:
Option A: The student
qualifies in the Mental
Ability and Achievement
categories.
Option B: If a student does
not qualify in either the
Mental Ability or
Achievement category (but
does qualify in the other),
they must additionally
qualify in both the Creativity
and Motivation categories.
Hedgepeth Ansley,
Marmiol
Referral Process for TAG Testing Considerations
Students can be referred for TAG testing two Students benefit from
different ways: the TAG program by
being placed with like-
-Automatic Referral: Student test scores are reviewed at minded (advanced
the beginning of the academic school year. A student can intelligence) students
be referred based on their percentile score in reading, math that share in classes that
and complete battery. A student can also be referred with enrich beyond an on-
a score of 90% or higher on the STAR Math or Reading test. level class. Students will
develop their research,
-CISS Process: Another referral opportunity takes place communication, critical
mid-year when teachers and school staff complete the CISS thinking, and creative
process (Characteristics Instrument for Screening Students). thinking skills by
During this time, teachers and staff look for these specific participating in the TAG
qualities in students: motivation, interest, communication program.
skills, problem solving, memory, inquiry, insight, reasoning,
creativity, and humor. If a student has been identified as If a student moves from
having 5 or more qualities from their teachers, additional on-level to TAG, their
data will be collected to see if the student qualifies for TAG schedule will change. As
testing. soon as they are found
eligible for the program,
they will begin their
classes in the first
TAG Testing Process: 4 Categories for Assessment and semester of the school
Observation year. They will have one
to four gifted classes
Mental Ability: Generally assessed through the CogAT. every day.
Students must score in the 96th percentile or higher.
Achievement: ITBS data or advanced class grades can be
used. Student must score on the 90th percentile or higher
on the standardized test. The student can also have a final
grade of 90% or higher in an advanced course.
If English is NOT the
Creativity: Student must score in the 90th percentile or
students primary
greater on a nationally normed test of creative thinking
language, they CAN still
(such as the Torrance Test for Creative Thinking). The
be TAG tested! For ESOL
student can also meet this category as the winner of a
students, there are two
district level academic competition.
non-verbal tests: Naglieri
Nonverbal Ability Test
Motivation: The student can meet this category as the
and/or Torrance Test of
winner of a district level academic competition. The
Creative Thinking.
student can also have a final grade of 90% or higher in an
advanced course. (only if this data was not used to qualify
in the Creativity or Achievement category)