Convert OAKS test results to percentiles

If you received your child’s OAKS test scores in the mail last week, you may be wondering what those raw scores mean. The Oregon Department of Education posts conversion tables that let you convert a raw score (say, 232 in reading) to a percentile (80 percent), so you can better understand how well your child demonstrated his or her knowledge in comparison to other Oregon students.

To download the complete Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, click this link. Click a tab at the bottom of the spreadsheet to select Reading or Math scores. The scores are organized by grade, so make sure to scroll down until you see right one in the Grade column.

The 2013-2014 school year was Oregon students’ last with the OAKS tests. This year, they will take the new Smarter Balanced Assessment.

Alameda TAG meeting this Wednesday 10/22

Alameda's TAG meeting will be this Wednesday, 10/22, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Library. Free childcare will be provided by Ms. Bailey in Room 106. Come with questions about identification and TAG services.

Christy Caton, our TAG coordinator, says it will be "a forum for parents who are curious about the TAG program," as well as a chance for parents of identified TAG students to "get clarification about processes and ask questions." Mr. Lurie and Mrs. VanDerWolf will be there to answer questions.

Unfortunately, our new TAG TOSA (teacher on special assignment) isn't available to attend Alameda's meeting. However, Ms. Caton will be attending a TAG Coordinators' meeting later this week and will take questions or concerns from parents to that meeting. Ms. Caton also reports that the new TAG technology specialist will be teaching tech tools during the coordinators' monthly meetings. She says, "I will be providing TAG  professional development to our staff, and will pass along any tech tips and tools as I get them."

As a reminder, the deadline for TAG student nominations is Monday November 3. Pick up a form from your teacher, the TAG bulletin board in the main hall, or from this link on the PPS website. Families will be notified of the testing schedule one or two weeks in advance. Currently, Alameda testing is scheduled for January.

Come to the TAGAC meeting this Tuesday

Want to get a feel for what's happening with TAG services district wide? The parent TAG Advisory Council (TAGAC) meets this Tuesday from 6:30 to 8:00 pm in the Mazama Conference Room (2nd floor behind the cafeteria) in the Blanchard Education Service Center, 501 N. Dixon St., Portland, OR 97227. Guests are always welcome. Unfortunately, no childcare is provided.

See new TAG team’s slides from the TAGAC meeting

Missed last week's TAGAC (TAG Advisory Council) meeting? Our new TAG Administrator, Erika Gillis, has posted slides from her presentation. These include introductions to all the new TAG TOSAs (teachers on special assignment) and details about the group's long- and short-term goals. Download the PDF here.

New TAG team takes the reins: Update from TAGAC meeting 9/16/14

The district TAG team has been significantly expanded. Last year the team consisted of one administrator (who was not just in charge of TAG but also “curriculum, assessment and instruction”) one instructional support person, and one administrative assistant. This Tuesday, five people greeted parents at the TAGAC meeting—and the new administrative assistant wasn’t even there! Here is the line up:

•  Erika Gillis, Senior Director Office of Teaching Innovation
•  Heather Egan, Administrative Secretary
•  Cathy Daley, TAG TOSA for Cleveland, Lincoln & Jefferson clusters (Chief Joseph, Faubion, King, Ockley Green, Vernon, Woodlawn)
•  Kathy Gaitán, Madison, TAG TOSA for Roosevelt & Wilson clusters
•  Tessalie Schulte, TAG TOSA for Franklin, Grant & Jefferson (Beach, Boise/Elliot, Jefferson HS) clusters
•  Matthew Marchyok, TAG Educational Technology  

The TOSAs (“teachers on special assignment”) will provide school support, coach teachers, attend parent meetings, and help with instructional planning to meet student needs. Notably, there are two bilingual (Spanish speaking) TOSAs and a technology specialist.

Erika Gillis said that the TAG team had moved under her direction because of “the need for greater personalization of learning.” She is a former teacher and administrator for Chicago Public Schools. Most recently, she worked as Executive Director, Pedagogy and Curriculum for Catapult Learning, an education company that provides data-based instructional services and professional development. See her LinkedIn profile here.

Short-term Goals for TAG Department

The team talked about a number of short-term goals they have for the school year, including:

• Revamping the PPS TAG Web site 
• Developing a TAG resource Web site for teachers
• Starting a TAG newsletter
• Developing digital pedagogical solutions: The technology specialist, Matthew Marchyok, said he wants to make sure teachers know how to use digital resources effectively in class. He will be leading teacher development in the use of, for example, Khan Academy’s common-core aligned tools for educators to track student progress. He also said they would also be doing pilot programs with some fee-based educational tools like BrainPop.

Long-term Goals for TAG Department

The TAG team’s long-term goals include teacher training about the needs of TAG learners, as well as updating and aligning TAG policies. Areas of focus will include flexible grouping, practices that foster complex thinking, and data analysis.

The team has reviewed the TAGAC’s Recommended Framework for Improved TAG Services in PPS and will present an update to the school board about TAG, along with the TAGAC members who helped develop the proposal.

Important Dates

Upcoming test dates mentioned during the meeting:

• October: Universal 2nd grade TAG screening takes place.
• November 3: TAG Identification Process Forms are due to school. Parents or teacher can nominate students.
• December through February: Testing scheduled for non-2nd-graders who have been nominated for TAG. School will notify families of test dates one to two weeks in advance.

PPS will send letters to families after receiving schools’ recommendations. Schools are required to make recommendations roughly two weeks after receiving scores.

Seventeen schools will pilot online TAG testing this year with an eye to moving all testing online.

It’s Time for TAG Instructional Plans

You have the right to request a TAG Instructional Plan for your child and now is the time to do it! Fill out the TAG Instructional Plan Request form and give it to your teacher. Past plans have included, for example:

• Special projects that increase the depth of instruction—these might be related to class curriculum or student interests
• Extensions, such as individual and small-group reports, off of the Passport Club geography program
• Substitution of Khan Academy work for some math homework or as an extension in class
• Participation in NANOWRIMO’s Young Writers Program in November

Your teacher and TAG coordinator will have ideas specific to your student. TAG work should take place inside the classroom as much as possible, instead of simply adding more work for the student.

You might also want to discuss single subject acceleration with your teacher.

Advisory Committee recommendations & new TAG leadership at PPS

A draft of the TAG Advisory Committee's recommendations is available at this link .

The new Administrator of the TAG Department is Erika Gillis, Senior Director Office of Teaching Innovation.

If you are interested in helping out with TAGAC or attending a meeting, check out this page  - http://www.pps.k12.or.us/departments/tag/ .

Anyone is welcome at TAGAC meetings; you don't need to be a member to attend. They can be a great way to connect with other families and impact TAG policy at the school, district and state level.

Hope the school year is off to a fantastic start!