The guidelines for identification and eligibility have been established by Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) which outline the specific requirements for Oregon Talented and Gifted Education. Students can be identified in the following areas:
- Intellectually Gifted
- Academically Gifted – Math
- Academically Gifted – Reading
- Potential to Perform at the Gifted Level
A student is defined as Academically Talented in math or reading if he or she is able to score at or above the 97th percentile (higher than 97% of the test population) on a total test of academic skill in mathematics or reading. These tests are designed to measure a student’s learning in comparison to other students of the same age.
A student is defined as Intellectually Gifted if she or he is able to score at or above the 97th percentile (higher than 97% of the test population) on a test of cognitive (mental) ability. This test is designed to measure how an individual can solve problems that use words, numbers, and shapes.
No single test score will be the sole criteria for identification.
Behavioral, learning and/or performance evidence will also be included for the identification. Concerted efforts will be made to identify students from ethnically diverse cultures, students with disabilities, and students who are economically disadvantaged.
Starting in 2013-14, all second grade students are assessed for giftedness with the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) Form 7 Screening Assessment. Those who perform in the top 15 percent nationally on the CogAT7 Screening Assessment will be further assessed with the complete Cognitive Abilities Test, Form 7. Additionally, students performing well on the language or mathematic sub tests of the CogAT7 may be given the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) in the appropriate content area to verify ability. Students identified as Talented & Gifted via the second grade process may receive one or more of following designations:
- Intellectually Gifted
- Academically Gifted – Math
- Academically Gifted – Reading
- Potential to Perform at the Gifted Level
Nationally normed percentile rankings from the state reading and math assessments will be considered for Talented & Gifted identification in grades 4-11. These eligibility referrals occur in the fall of each school year based on state assessments from the previous school year. Students identified as Talented & Gifted via the state assessment referral process may receive one or more of the following designations:
- Academically Gifted – Math
- Academically Gifted – Reading
- Potential to Perform at the Gifted Level
Note: Students can be referred for gifted identification eligibility by staff or parent/guardians at any time. Student referrals typically begin with a teacher observation period including a collection of evidence, which may or may not lead to formal testing. Formal testing, outside of those outlined above, require parent permission. Talented & Gifted identification requires multiple evidence points and eligibility decisions are made by a team. Please contact your school’s TAG Facilitator with questions about this process.
General Guide to Identification
1.) Initiate TAG Identification Process (if one of the following occurs):
- Academic: Score of 97% or higher on a district appointed assessment
- Intellectual: Score of 97% or higher on district appointed assessment
- Teacher Recommendation
- Parent Recommendation
2.) Collect Body of Evidence for Identification (when one or more of the above occurs):
- Teacher Survey – Kingore
- Teacher Rating Scales – SIGS
- Teacher TABS Observational Record (inventories)
- Classroom Work Samples
- Parent Survey – Kingore (optional)
- Parent Rating Scales – SIGS (optional)
3.) Administer Further Testing (if 1 occurs and 2 shows sufficient evidence):
- Academic: Score of 97% or higher on SBAC, OAKS, Woodcock Johnson III, or ITBS
- Intellectual: Score of 97% or higher on WISC IV, Stanford Binet, CogAT 7 Screener or CogAT7
4.) Meet with TAG Identification Services Team (after above is complete):
- Convene meeting
- Review Assessments
- Review Body of Evidence
- If more evidence is needed, complete the TAG Interventions Form
- If identified, (see number 5 below) complete TAG Interventions Form
5.) Identify if:
- Two test scores at 97% or higher identify TAG
- One score of 97% + with sufficient BOE and second test score at 95-96% TAG Potential
