Article about Access site in this Week's Tribune

The Portland Tribune has an update on Access Academy's possible new locations. Access may move to King or another school, since classroom space is tight at Sabin and there's long been little room for either program to grow. Here's a link to the piece.

I hope everyone is having a safe and happy Winter Break. -Amy

Oregon Dept. of Ed Survey

The state Dept. of Education has a survey that I'm sure will interest many of you. One of the questions touches on priorities re: program rigor, equity and best practices. In the comments section, you can share your opinion on how ODE should direct Oregon school districts.  Since ODE will soon decide whether or not to support the TAG task force recommendation for a statewide, budgeted TAG plan, this is a good opportunity to weigh in.

ODE says that the Strategic Planning Survey is "specifically focused on our strategic direction for the years to come. This short survey should only take 2-3 minutes of your time and will provide us with important information about how you think we are doing and where you think we need to be focusing in the coming years."

You can access the five-question survey online at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LW93RLJ.

I hope you'll share your ideas with ODE!

 

Nominations due TODAY - Nov. 26

TAG Nominations and testing
Reminder - TAG nominations are due November 26th.  Pick up the nomination form (Identification Process Form) in the office or from the TAG Bulletin Board or here (form posted in several languages under "IDPF"). Alameda's TAG testing is scheduled for February. Contact Pam VanDerWolf at pvanderw@pps.net with any questions about nominations or testing.

Oregonian article on TAG "Quiet Crisis" report

Today's Oregonian has an article about the recent Department of Education task force recommendations on TAG. Here's a link to the piece.

Grant High School Rigor - Letter from Principal Orlen

Here's an Oct. 26 letter from Grant HS principal Orlen addressing concerns about program rigor, AP classes and the possibility of making Grant an IB school.

Nomination Deadline & more

TAG Nominations and testing
TAG nominations are due November 26th. It helps staff to nominate your child early as teachers have data and work samples to collect for each of their nominated students. Pick up the nomination form (Identification Process Form) in the office or from the TAG Bulletin Board or here (form posted in several languages under "IDPF"). Alameda's TAG testing is scheduled for February. Contact Pam VanDerWolf at pvanderw@pps.net with any questions about nominations or testing.

Many of you have questions about TAG ''lingo" and terms like 'scaffolded instruction.' The PPS TAG page has a ton of resources that can help you understand these terms & how teachers approach TAG within PPS. It can be tricky to navigate the site if you don't know exactly what you're looking for, but this information is useful if you need to discuss curriculum challenge & other issues with teachers & TAG coordinators. Here's a good overview of the differentiation strategies teachers can use (Click on 'Ideas for Highly Capable Learners' on the right).

Please spread the word about the TAG Parent Advisory Council to other parents who are interested in PPS TAG issues. The TAGAC reviews PPS talented & gifted services, represents TAG families from all schools and building types, and makes recommendations. Our first meeting of the school year is Nov. 13, and we would welcome more members (especially representing High School TAG students). We meet six times a year at Rice Elementary near Rose City Park. (Contact me at amasondoan@gmail.com for more information). Thanks! -Amy