Referral & Testing

Chandler Oaks TAG Specialists

Andrea Acuff

Thank you for your interest in the TAG program.  The referral window for 2023-2024 school year is now Closed. The registration will open again in November of 2024. 



For more information:


How do I refer my child for TAG testing?

Each year Round Rock ISD has open registration to refer a student for gifted services screening. Our service model provides an array of learning opportunities for students who show advanced ability or potential in comparison to students of the same age, experience, and environment.


The referral window for students to be considered for gifted services is from November 6, 2023 through December 8, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. You will find the registration link on the Round Rock ISD TAG website. On the morning of November 6th at 8:00 a.m. the links will be live and you can submit registration requests. After completing the online form, you will receive email confirmation of your referral for gifted services. Please keep a copy of the confirmation email for your records.


These slides are being provided for those that are unable to attend a campus meeting for information.
TAG Referral Information – English
TAG Referral Information – Spanish
Your elementary TAG specialist or secondary TAG counselor can also help guide you through this process if you need assistance.

Program Overview

The Round Rock ISD program for talented and gifted (TAG) students is provided for those students who perform or show the potential for performing at a remarkably high level of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience, or environment and who exhibit high performance capability in an intellectual, creative, or artistic area, who possess an unusual capacity for leadership, or excel in a specific academic field.

Program Referrals

Students may be referred for the TAG program by teachers, counselors, parents, or other interested persons. Before the student is further screened for the program, a thorough examination of all pertinent data shall be made. Data collected through both objective and subjective assessments shall be measured against the criteria approved by the Board to determine individual eligibility for the program.

Assessment tools may include but not be limited to the following:

1. Achievement tests.

2. IQ or school abilities tests.

3. Behavioral checklists completed by teachers and/or parents.

4. Teacher nominations based on classroom observations.

5. Student/parent conferences.

6. Student work products.

A committee designated as the Campus Screening and Selection Committee and composed of at least three and no more than five professional employees knowledgeable about the needs and potential of TAG students and familiar with the state guidelines for TAG programs shall be established at each campus. Committee members shall participate in annual training. This committee shall evaluate each nominated student according to the established criteria and shall select those students for whom TAG program placement is the most appropriate educational setting.

Parents and students shall be notified in writing of selection for the TAG program. Participation in any program or services provided for TAG students is voluntary, and before a student is placed in a TAG program, the District shall obtain the parent’s written permission. A member of the Campus Screening and Selection Committee will confer with parents and, if appropriate, the student to discuss the student’s profile generated by the data collection process.

Timeline


September – TAG Specialists will provide planned experiences in all Kindergarten classrooms. These activities are designed to elicit responses that might show characteristics of gifted students.


October – Between October 2 through October 27, campus and district meetings will be held to present information regarding identification, placement, and services for gifted students. Look for more information in campus and district news, as well as campus and district websites.

Also in the month of October, campuses will be administering a cognitive abilities assessment to all 2nd grade students. This assessment is used not only to guide classroom instruction, but also for potential need for special services such as gifted.


November/December – November 6 – December 8 is the registration window to refer a current student to be assessed for gifted services. The registration will open at 8 a.m. on November 6 and will close at 4:30 p.m. on December 8.  You will find the registration link on the Round Rock ISD TAG website.


January/February – Assessments are given to all students who were referred for the process.


March – Notification of placement decisions will be communicated.


April – Additional assessments will be given as needed.


May – 5th grade students who are newly identified for gifted services in MATH, will be given the opportunity to take the Exam for Acceleration over the 6th grade TEKS in order to participate in Accelerated Math 2 in 6th grade.


Results

All testing and Committee results are not usually complete until mid-spring. In late spring you will receive a written letter of placement with test scores to your home address on file. If your address is not up to date please get in touch with the front office staff to make sure this is updated. We are unable to send private student data electronically or to any other address not on file with central registration. If your student was identified for the TAG program you will receive welcome information prior to the end of the school year and your child will start their services at the start of the next academic year. 


Second Grade Subject Testing/New to COE 3-5 Subject Testing

At the end of second grade all currently identified TAG students will complete subject based TAG testing. Students who are in grades 3-5 and new to COE who transfer to us with a RRISD accepted TAG placement will also receive this testing. 

These tests do not affect your placement in Talent Development, all TAG identified students will remain in Talent Development through the end of 5th grade. 

Subject placements are made by the TAG Committee and are based on classroom subject performance, quarterly and annual reviews with the homeroom teacher, and performance in Talent Development in combination with the test results. Subject based test results do not guarantee placement in subjects. 

If your student did not place in any subject at the end of 2nd grade they will remain in Talent Development while we continue to work with them and build on their interests and strengths. We will work with homeroom teachers at quarterly and annual checks to review student progress on a regular basis. If there is not a specific subject area strength by the end of 5th grade, students are removed from the district's TAG program before entering middle school. 


Questions?  

Andrea Acuff, COE TAG Specialist Andrea_Acuff@roundrockisd.org  

Kimberlee Rodriguez, COE TAG Specialist        Kimberlee_Rodriguez@roundrockisd.org