Frequently Asked Questions 

When will they be retested for a subject area? 

There are no formal test screenings once a child is identified for needing gifted services. However, we may give additional informal assessments for additional data points. 

The TAG committee collects data about current TAG students throughout the school year including our observations in the TAG classroom and information the homeroom teacher provides. The TAG Screening and Placement Committee reviews this information once at the end of the first quarter and again at the end of third quarter during the annual review. Changes may be made based on a preponderance of evidence provided during Talent Development and/or homeroom teacher observations/evidence. Parents will be notified of this change if additional services are determined to be needed. 

**Please note that formal scores are valid for two years. It is not typical that we add LA or Math services to students who qualify in grades 3-5, although we have had a few outliers in the past where we saw the need emerge, and therefore, have added services. Social Studies and Science services are added (if not already added by testing) by the end of fifth grade. Parents and students are notified of the additions via email mid year at via the annual review form that is sent home with their report cards at the end of the year.

 Can you look into adding TAG Math or LA services for my child? 

This is not parent initiated. The TAG committee collects data about current TAG students throughout the school year including our observances in the TAG classroom and information the homeroom teacher provides. The TAG Screening and Placement Committee reviews this information once at the end of the first semester and again at the end of the school year during the annual review. Changes may be made for based on a preponderance of evidence provided during Talent Development and/or homeroom teacher observations/evidence. There are no formal test screenings, although we may give additional informal assessments for additional data points.

 Can I ask you to look at my child to add services at the beginning or middle of the year? 

Again, this is not parent initiated. Although, we may add services at the end of the school year, we rarely do this mid-year. This only happens if a student shows mastery and a high level of understanding that far exceeds their classmates' in the general education classroom.

 But, how will you know if my student needs additional services if I don't tell you?

RRISD elementary schools have a program called Talent Development which provides differentiation through an array of cross curricular learning experiences for those who have been identified for services. Teacher observations along with homeroom teacher input will become part of the student's end of the year annual review. Further data points will be collected for those students who show that another academic strength is emerging. If that occurs, the TAG committee will meet to discuss if the child would benefit from adding services. Parents will be notified at the end of the school year if a decision to add services has occurred. If you are not contacted, then the committee believes at this time that your child would be more academically successful in the general education classroom with differentiation.

What do services look like for a Kinder student or a 1st or 2nd grader?

Kinder students are not formally identified until after January testing. Whole classroom enrichment provided by a TAG specialist takes a few times a year. First and second grade students who are identified as needing TAG services will participate in Talent Development until their 3rd grade year where they will have enrichment lesson, social/emotional lessons, as well as, an opportunity to do an ISP (independent student project). 

What is process for having TAG services for a transfer student? If they were in a G/T program at a different school are they automatically in TAG at Sommer?

If a student is identified in TAG and transferring from a school within RRISD then they would be in the TAG program automatically here at Sommer. If a student is currently in a TAG program from another district or out of state then two things may occur:

a) if the student has qualifying scores AND the assessment was completed within 2 years, the TAG Screening and Placement Committee may accept those as automatically qualifying for our TAG program at Sommer depending on the testing measures.

b) If there are no qualifying scores, one qualifying score, old qualifying scores or assessments aren't common for G/T, then the student will be retested. The student must have qualifying scores in order to be identified for needing TAG services. 

My child is only in TD (Talent Development). Will they be retested to qualify for a subject area?

There are no formal test screenings once a child is identified for needing gifted services. However, we may give additional informal assessments for additional data points. RRISD elementary schools have a program called Talent Development which provides differentiation through an array of cross curricular learning experiences for those who have been identified for services. Teacher observations along with homeroom teacher input will become part of the student's end of the year annual review. Further data points will be collected for those students who show that another academic strength is emerging. If that occurs, the TAG committee will meet to discuss if the child would benefit from adding services. Parents will be notified at the end of the school year if a decision to add services has occurred. If you are not contacted, then the committee believes at this time that your child would be more academically successful in the general education classroom with differentiation. 

** Please note that a child in 5th grade who has not shown a strength in a subject area will be placed on a growth plan 2nd semester. **

At the end of 2nd grade, will my child be given additional subject matter testing. Is the subject matter testing automatic for each child in 2nd grade in TD (Talent Development)?

Per district procedures, it is automatic for ALL current TAG 2nd graders to have additional subject matter testing for possible subject placement for the following school year. 

Why do you give so many tests?

The Texas Education Agency requires that districts assess students using a minimum of three criteria. Round Rock ISD uses more than three because multiple indicators tell more about the different facets of students’ abilities, therefore providing more opportunities for students to meet a minimum of three criteria.

Why do we have to refer so early in the school year?

By the end of November, when referral forms are due, students will have been in school for four months; almost half of the school year. Early referral is necessary so that adequate time exists for the Screening and Placement Committee to review student files and collect needed information to initiate testing which takes place in January and early February. Testing must be scheduled then to avoid a number of end-of-the-year tests that take place in March, April, and May. Tests given in January and February are machine scored outside the district and require six weeks to process. Placement forms are then developed and Campus Screening and Placement Committees review the new data. Final determination of the student’s status is made and notices sent by the end of the school year for placement the following school year. Without early referral and testing and placement decisions could not be made until after school begins in August.

Why does the district not use TAKS/STAAR scores to determine placement?

The TAKS/STAAR test is an inappropriate measure for identification for a gifted program. TAKS/STAAR is a criterion-referenced test designed to determine if a designated, core curriculum is being taught to Texas students. As a result, the test does not look at knowledge and/or skills that are above the students’ grade levels. Identifying students for a gifted program requires determining if they are functioning significantly above grade level; something the TAKS/STAAR test does not indicate.

How many students are in the Round Rock ISD TAG program?

Currently, there are about 3,900 students, which is approximately 8% of the total district population, being served by the TAG program.