In a district of more than 40,000 students, teachers work hard to meet the needs of all types of learning patterns, including accelerated learners in the Talented and Gifted program.
“Round Rock ISD TAG services are designed to ensure that we support the needs of our advanced learners by nurturing their love of learning, providing appropriate challenge in their areas of strength and setting high expectations,” Gifted and Talented Director Michelle Swain said. “All students deserve a learning environment that causes them to stand on their mental tiptoes and stretch their abilities.”
TAG students are typically identified during the elementary school, but individuals can also be tested through high school to be placed in accelerated classes. Referrals for students to be tested for TAG are received in November for a January test date and parents are notified of the results by April.
Parents can advocate for their children by participating in parent meetings at their campus, serving on the TAG Parent Advisory Council (TAGPAC) or communicating with their TAGPAC representative. Attending parent training events such as the annual TAG parent nights, co-hosted TAGT Parent Conference in February and by visiting the TGIT (txgifted.org) and NAGC (nagc.org) websites for state and national information and advocacy opportunities are also great ways to get involved. Parent involvement is how we will continue to provide a world class set of services for our advanced learners.
TAG instruction begins as early as kindergarten with specialized enrichment lessons and progresses through the senior year of high school.
“TAG is not a bunch of extra work for the child and it’s not any sort of negative designation at all,” Ryan Harvey, Cedar Ridge High School TAG teacher, said. “It’s really just a form of support to ensure that children with special interests and brain abilities get what they need.”
The math program, accelerated by two years, begins in third grade and allows TAG students to complete eighth grade algebra by the end of sixth grade. English and social studies courses are not accelerated in the material, but follow the grade’s curriculum and study the material on a deeper level, often using more challenging literature.
Heather Byrd works with TAG language arts students at Hopewell Middle School. Instead of reiterating the basics of English and literature, Byrd said she assigns projects for the TAG students, which allows them to connect with the content on a deeper level and find more passion for the project and their education.
The Round Rock ISD TAG teachers also integrate a social emotional curriculum for TAG students to help deal with differences faced by accelerated learners.
“I like to educate the kids about how their brains do work different so they don’t feel that something is wrong with them because they have unique ways they look at things,” Byrd said. “(TAG students) get fascinated with different topics and people who are not TAG don’t always understand that and they feel outside the box in a negative way. I want them to enjoy their gifts and learn how to use them.”
Gattis Elementary TAG teacher Daniel Brillhart said the Round Rock ISD program is envied by many districts in Texas and is seen as the cutting-edge program. He said he attributes the program’s success to the support of teachers who collaborate across the district.
“We start programs and ideas faster than other districts because we have a wealth of knowledge in our program,” Brillhart said. “TAG teachers are always searching and trying up their game to meet the needs of the kids.”