Talented & Gifted Learners

What is Talented and Gifted?

The State of Oregon passed the Talented and Gifted (TAG) Education Act during the 1987 legislative session. The Act addressed the unique needs of talented and gifted students. The law requires that the individual needs of the TAG student be addressed. The needs of identified TAG students at ORVA are addressed through TAG plans and outlined in the services section below.

Identification

At ORVA, we identify TAG students at all grade levels based on their abilities in four areas:

• Reading
• Math
• Intellectual Ability
• Potential to Perform

Students are referred by classroom teachers or can be considered upon parent request and collection of information. Our TAG coordinator will review assessment information, course progress, teacher survey, parent survey, nationally-normed testing, state testing and/or cognitive testing to determine program placement.

If you think your student may benefit from a Talented and Gifted program, please contact your child’s homeroom teacher for more information.

Services

Once identified, instructional services to meet the accelerated rate and level of our students are provided mainly within the classroom.

Specific strategies and services vary, depending upon grade level and content area, but may include:

• Consultations with a TAG coordinator
• Individual and family planning conferences to seek input from learning coaches
• Differentiated instruction
• In-course grouping
• Curriculum modification or acceleration (subject/course-based or grade-level)
• Project-based learning opportunities
• Extensions and opportunities for expansion of learning
• Tiered learning targets
• Alternative assignments and extensive Expanded Options program

ORVA also recognizes that parent/guardian input into instructional planning is an important component in best serving students.

Extracurricular Enrichment Opportunities

Enrichment opportunities at ORVA give students an opportunity to interact with students of similar abilities and interests. There is a wide variety of extracurricular opportunities available, including:

• DECA – Not-for-profit career and technical student organization
• National Honor Society — National merit-based organization for high school students that promotes scholarship, leadership, service, and character
• NJHS — National merit-based organization for middle school students that promotes scholarship, leadership, service, and character
• Skills USA — Student organization offering training programs in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, including health occupations
• ORVA Clubs – Performing arts, book clubs, creative writing, social service clubs, Lego club and chess club