Talented and Gifted

Expectations for TAG Testing for 2024-25

UNIVERSAL SCREENING: 3rd grade

For years we have used the CogAT for screening our student population. We give virtually all enrolled 3rd grade students the "CogAT Screener." The CogAT has three "batteries" or categories of tests: Verbal, Nonverbal, and Quantitative. Each of those batteries have three subtests, so the full CogAT is made up of nine 10-minute subtests. The CogAT Screener is a way that we can give the first subtest in each battery, so a 10-minute verbal, a 10-minute nonverbal, and a 10-minute quantitative tests, to virtually all enrolled 3rd graders. This is given during the regular school day in their regular classrooms.

When those results come back, we proctor the remaining six sections of the test to those students who scored in the 90th percentile or above. Parents must give permission for those students to finish their tests, since they are pulled out of regular instruction to finish. The remaining six subtests are sometimes referred to as the "Post-Screener," but the scores for all 9 tests are tabulated and reported back as a full CogAT score. 

TESTING BASED ON TEACHER REFERRALS

Using the Kingore Observation Inventory, teachers look for evidence of gifted characteristics in their students. Their observation forms are processed, and lists of students to be tested are compiled. Parents are notified, and must give permission for these students to be tested with the full CogAT, since the testing is done during the school day, and those students are pulled out of regular instruction.

TIMING

The timing for testing can vary by several months depending on the schools. The larger a teacher's student load, the longer it takes for teachers to feel confident in their observations, so middle school testing usually happens in the beginning of second semester--February. The elementary schools aim to complete their testing by December. 

As all of the universal screening of 3rd graders has completed, there are several questions that we are hearing: 

Where can I see the Screener results? 
Ans: The percentiles are available in ParentVUE under Test History

What is the cut score in order to take the rest of the test (also called the "post screener")? 
Ans: The BSD is only testing students who have screener scores at the 90^th percentile or above. 
Also, note: If your student is already TAG identified, unless they are in 5^th grade, they will not be given the full CogAT. This testing is about helping teachers to know who they need to be providing more challenge to. If your student is already identified, teachers are already doing what they can to meet their needs.

When will the school give the rest of the CogAT? 
Ans: There are many variables in determining when the second half of the testing will happen. Some schools started their post-screening and full CogAT testing in mid-November, but considering the weeklong fall break, most schools will complete the testing in December. The testing happens over several days--usually consecutive days.

What if my student misses the other portion of the testing?
Ans. Unless your child is in 5th grade, if your student misses the testing, they will have an opportunity to be tested in 4th or 5th grade. If they are currently in 5th grade, we will do everything we can to find time to finish their testing. 

• For eligible students from Cedar Park, Five Oaks and Meadow Park
• Elementary Feeders: Barnes, Beaver Acres, Bethany, Elmonica, McKinley, Oak Hills (west of Bethany Blvd), Ridgewood, Rock Creek, West TV, William Walker

• For eligible students from Stoller
• Elementary Feeders: Jacob Wismer, Sato, Springville

• For eligible students from Conestoga, Highland Park, Mountain View and Whitford
• Elementary Feeders: Aloha Huber Park, Chehalem, Cooper Mountain, Errol Hassell, Fir Grove, Greenway, Hazeldale, Hiteon, Kinnaman, McKay, Montclair, Nancy Ryles, Raleigh Hills, Raleigh Park, Scholls Heights, Sexton Mountain, Vose

• For eligible students from Tumwater
• Elementary Feeders: Bonny Slope, Cedar Mill, Findley, Oak Hills (east of Bethany Blvd), Terra Linda

Note: Students are enrolled in the specific school designated by their physical address. If you want to attend a different school's Summa program, you would have to be eligible for and work through the standard transferring process for any BSD student. 

Class sizes depend on school site and program enrollment, which vary year to year. 

While students in the Summa program receive support in their core classes, they are part of the broader school community and have the opportunity to engage with peers in other parts of the school day.

No. Specific learning targets are established for all BSD courses by grade level, Summa classes follow these same learning targets. Summa is intended to provide a differentiated, challenging experience aligned to grade level learning targets that meets the cognitive, emotional, and social needs of eligible students. 

The Beaverton School District provides ongoing professional development to all teachers in differentiation strategies to meet the needs of diverse learners. 

This is teacher and content dependent. Any homework should be an extension of concepts learned in class.

There is no Summa program in high school.

Summa is a BSD-created program, designed for a subset of TAG-identified 6th, 7th and 8th grade students. Summa is intended to provide a differentiated, challenging experience aligned to grade level learning targets that meets the cognitive, emotional, and social needs of eligible students.

Families will be notified and invited after their students are found eligible, no later than January of their 5th grade year. 

Since eligibility requirements can change from year to year, eligibility is not verified for students who are younger than 5th grade.

Summa-eligible 5th graders are not asked to commit to Summa program before the Option School lottery. Like all students, Summa-eligible students may apply for one Learning Option. After the Option Schools decisions have been communicated, parents and students will need to make their choice between an Option School or Summa. 

Students can confirm or commit to Summa and remain on an Option School waitlist. If they are offered a spot at an option school, that's when they have to decide between Summa and the Option school spot.

Summa eligibility remains valid until a student's 8th grade year starts. If students have turned down their spot in Summa, but change their mind for the next year, parents should contact the registrar at the building of the specific Summa program in the spring in order to reclaim a Summa spot for the fall.