TAG

Procedures for the Identification of Gifted & Talented Students New, formalized procedures are in place for the identification of Gifted and Talented Students in the East Haven Public Schools. Gifted students are those with outstanding learning abilities or outstanding talent in the creative arts. The district will use a norm referenced cognitive skills assessment as a “whole school” grade 3 screening. In addition, parents may refer students in any grade level. When this occurs, the screening process outlined below will precede a Planning and Placement Team meeting to consider the referral and plan an evaluation if warranted. Whole Grade Screening – Grade 3 For purposes of identification of 3rd grade students, a norm-referenced cognitive skills index, IN View, will be used to measure cognitive ability. A series of 5 subtests: Sequences, Analogies, Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning-Words, and Verbal Reasoning-Context will be administered to all of our 3rd grade students at the beginning of the school year. Students achieving a Total Score in the 90th percentile or better will be automatically identified as Gifted and Talented students. Procedures for Parents/ Guardians Parents/ Guardians are asked to submit a portfolio supporting the nomination of their child to be identified as Gifted and Talented for the purpose of participating in the East Haven TAG Program. The nominating portfolio should include:

• The parent/guardian will submit 3 original work samples demonstrating their child’s independent work, including both written work and or work pertaining to the visual arts, dance, and music.
• A letter explaining why the parent/guardian believes the child should be identified as Gifted and Talented.
• The parent/guardian shall fill out the checklist entitled “Things My Child Likes to Do.”

The TAG Committee will convene once in December and once in April to examine submissions and make recommendations of eligibility. The annual PPTs will be held in the fall and spring of each year. Notification of the TAG Committee’s findings will be made through the Pupil Services Office at the conclusion of the screening process. The Pupil Services Office will be responsible for scheduling and holding the PPTs to determine eligibility.

Procedures for Teachers

In addition to the norm-referenced cognitive skills index and the parent nominations, teachers have the opportunity to nominate students for the TAG Program. Teachers are asked to submit a portfolio supporting the nomination of the child to be identified as Gifted and Talented for the purpose of participating in the East Haven TAG Learning Program.

The nominating portfolio should contain:

• A letter explaining why the teacher believes the child should be identified as Gifted and Talented.
• The teacher will submit three (3) original work samples demonstrating the child’s independent work, including the visual arts, dance, and music if applicable.
• The teacher will submit anecdotal records that support the nomination.

The TAG Committee will convene once in December and once in April to examine submissions and make recommendations of eligibility. The annual PPTs will be held in the fall and spring of each year. Notification of the Creative Learning Committee’s findings will be made through the Pupil Services Office at the conclusion of the screening process. The Pupil Services Office will be responsible for scheduling and holding the PPTs to determine eligibility.