Talented & Gifted

Talented and Gifted (TAG) Services

The North Clackamas School District (NCSD) is committed to an educational program that recognizes the unique value, needs, and talents of each individual student. NCSD identifies Talented and Gifted students as Intellectually Gifted or Academically Talented in the areas of math and/or reading. The goal of Talented and Gifted education is to identify, encourage, and respond to the diverse needs of students identified as TAG by facilitating and/or providing differentiated curriculum and instruction to meet students’ academic rate and level of learning. The purpose of this instruction is to provide students with intellectual challenges and methods to extend learning, and encourage exploration, self-discovery, inquiry, and perseverance. Curriculum and instruction designed by classroom teachers to meet the rate and level of learning of talented and gifted students is an integral part of this commitment.

2023-25 TAG Plan

District-level Talented and Gifted Education Plans serve as an integral communication tool to district educators, families, and community partners . Districts are required to submit their TAG plans to the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) every year, provide copies upon request to schools within their district, and post a copy on their district website.

Download NCSD's 2023-25 TAG Plan

TAG Referral Form

Frequently Asked Questions

Does NCSD accept TAG designations from other districts?

NCSD automatically honors TAG designations for all students transferring from any district in Oregon.

NCSD will conduct a file review for any student with a TAG designation who is transferring from out-of-state schools. If the Oregon qualifying standards for identification have been met, then NCSD will honor the TAG designation. If the Oregon standards for identification are not met, the student can be rescreened for services.

How do I get my child tested for TAG?

NCSD does a universal TAG screening for all 2nd-grade students. Once a year, usually in February, all 2nd-grade students will take the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test; 3rd edition (NNAT3). This assessment is not based on previously learned skills; rather, it is a nonverbal measure of general ability. The results from this test are one of the criteria NCSD uses for possible TAG screening.

Additionally, NCSD reviews standardized test data annually.

Is second grade the only time my child can take the test?

Most students take the Naglieri Nonverbal Abilities Test (NNAT3)in second grade. However, sometimes students miss this window for a variety of reasons or transfer from out of district. Therefore, we also offer the test to students in 3rd-5th grade if they don't already have an ability test on file.

We generally don’t offer the test a second time, as it is not a skills-based test; the results usually do not vary significantly when retaken.

Are there other ways that my child can be tested or screened for TAG services?

What is the process for TAG screening?

NCSD Talented and Gifted (TAG) Screening and Identification

TAG Screening Initiators	Referral: from a teacher, administrator, parent, student, or any person in the child’s life Ability Test: Naglieri Nonverbal Abilities Test (NNAT3) Academic Assessment: qualifying language arts or math score
Data Collection	Ability Test results Achievement Test results Benchmark and/or formative assessment data (FastBridge, Imagine Learning, etc…) Reading and/or Math levels Scales for Identifying Gifted Students-teacher Scales for Identifying Gifted Students-parents Authentic student work samples
Possible TAG Screening Team Meeting	Members: Principal, Talented and Gifted Teacher Leader, classroom teacher, other staff as applicable Look For: a pattern or preponderance of evidence of exceptional talent(s) and/or gift(s)
TAG Identification	Intellectually Gifted Academically Talented in Math and/or Reading Not identified at this time

What TAG programs are available for my child?

North Clackamas School District provides Talented and Gifted (TAG) services at each grade level rather than through a separate TAG program. This means that students who are identified as Talented and Gifted receive educational services in their regular classroom, provided by their classroom teacher, rather than in a pull-out program. This allows the learning needs of TAG students to be consistently supported throughout their day rather than occasionally. The instructional services NCSD provides to designated TAG students are designed to meet their assessed rate(s) and level(s) of learning in language arts and/or math.

Elementary and middle school students designated as Talented and Gifted receive an Individualized Classroom Plan (ICP), which outlines the specific instructional modifications/differentiation the classroom teacher will utilize to address the students' individual learning needs. The ICP is a tool to be used by the classroom teacher, family, and student to plan and implement differentiated instruction that meets the assessed rate(s) and level(s) of the student. This can include, but is not limited to, independent projects, tiered assignments, curriculum compacting, and extension activities. It is automatically reviewed annually around conference time; however, it can be reviewed and updated at any time.

Each elementary and middle school has a TAG support teacher who helps to coordinate TAG services for that school. These TAG support teachers have the opportunity to meet regularly with the district TAG coach(es) to work on program management and professional learning. Additionally, the district TAG coaches collaborate with other district coaches to provide instructional and curricular support for teachers and students to meet a wide variety of learning needs.

At the high school level, a variety of student courses are available in order to offer a wide range of rigorous learning opportunities. Students with advanced academic needs have the opportunity to select courses that match their skills and interests, including Advanced Placement at Clackamas, Milwaukie, and Adrienne C Nelson High Schools, or International Baccalaureate courses at Rex Putnam High School. Within all courses, instruction is differentiated based on the assessed rate(s) and level(s) of the student.

What is an Individualized Classroom Plan (ICP)?

Who do I contact for questions about TAG?

A family's first point of contact should be their child's teacher. If there are questions that need to be addressed, the order of contact is as follows:

Classroom teacher
TAG Teacher Leader (a representative at each elementary and middle school)
School principal
District TAG coaches:
- Elementary: Maranda Otto
- Secondary: Stephanie Van Eps, Luke Weinbrecht
Associate Director of Teaching, Learning and Professional Development (TLPD): Rob Holloway
Executive Director of TLPD: Tammy O’Neill

My child says they are bored. What can I do?

Have a conversation with your child and your child’s teacher. Find out more about why your child is saying they are bored. Collaborate with your child’s teacher to make a plan to increase engagement and/or rigor for your child.

Some possible questions to ask your child’s teacher:

How is my child doing academically/socially in class?
What are my child’s assessed rate(s) and level(s) of learning in math and/or reading
Where are their proficiency levels compared to grade-level benchmarks?
How is my child being adequately challenged?
What types of activities is my child highly engaged in?
Are there areas in which my child is struggling? Or ways that I can support my child’s learning at home?

If my child qualifies for TAG, will they have access to accelerated classes?

What math courses will my child have access to in high school?

All NCSD students, including TAG students, have the opportunity to choose from multiple high-level math courses as part of our NCSD Math Pathways. After core math instruction is finished (Math 6-8, 9th Data Reasoning/Geometry, and 10th Advanced Algebra), students have the opportunity to choose from three different pathways: Quantitative, Statistics/Data Science, and Calculus. Students can earn college credit in each of these pathways. We encourage you to reach out to your students' high school with specific questions.

Starting Courses:

Geometry and Data Reasoning (New Urban, Rex Putman, Adrienne C. Nelson , Clackamas, Milwaukie)
Geometry in Construction (Sabin-Schellenberg Technical Center )

Next Course:

Advanced Algebra (New Urban, Adrienne C. Nelson, Clackamas, Milwaukie, Rex Putman)

Interest-Driven Pathways:

Quantitative Reasoning Pathway

Math in Society — MTH 105Z (Adrienne C. Nelson, Clackamas, Milwaukie)
Financial Algebra (New Urban, Adrienne C. Nelson, Rex Putman)
Inter Baccalaureate (IB) - Applications (Rex Putman)

Calculus Pathway

Pre-Calculus — MTH 111Z/112Z (Adrienne C. Nelson, Clackamas, Milwaukie)
IB Analysis — MTH 111Z (Rex Putman)
Calculus — MTH 251/252 (Adrienne C. Nelson, Clackamas, Milwaukie, Rex Putman)

Data Reasoning Pathway

Data Science Explorations (Milwaukie)
Inter Baccalaureate (IB) Statistics (Rex Putman)
AP Statistics — STAT 243Z (Adrienne C. Nelson, Clackamas, Milwaukie)

For identification information, please email Maranda Otto at ottom@nclack.k12.or.us

For other TAG information, please contact your school principal.

TAG Services and Parental Rights Brochure

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Talented & Gifted

Talented and Gifted (TAG) Services

2023-25 TAG Plan

TAG Referral Form

Frequently Asked Questions

Does NCSD accept TAG designations from other districts?

How do I get my child tested for TAG?

Is second grade the only time my child can take the test?

Are there other ways that my child can be tested or screened for TAG services?

What is the process for TAG screening?

NCSD Talented and Gifted (TAG) Screening and Identification

What TAG programs are available for my child?

What is an Individualized Classroom Plan (ICP)?

Who do I contact for questions about TAG?

My child says they are bored. What can I do?

If my child qualifies for TAG, will they have access to accelerated classes?

What math courses will my child have access to in high school?