PRESENTED TO THE TORRINGTON BOARD OF EDUCATION APRIL 2010 Torrington Public Schools TAG Program.

PRESENTED TO THE

TORRINGTON BOARD OF EDUCATIONAPRIL 2010

Torrington Public Schools TAG Program

Review the current program and aspects of the 3 year plan presented on January 2008 to the Board of Education

Present future recommendations for the TAG program, based upon students’ needs and budgetary constraints

Purpose

What TAG is . . .the definition

TAG provides services to a specific portion of the school population whose academic needs can not be totally met or provided for in the regular classroom. Thus TAG falls under the umbrella of Special Education.

TAG is special programming for academically gifted

children.

Teaching for Successful Intelligence

In Teaching For Successful Intelligence, Drs. Robert Sternberg & Elena Grigorenko, Professors at Yale University, state that when teaching for successful intelligence, the higher order processes used in problem solving must be implemented. The processes include the ability to:

1. Identify the Problem

2. Allocate Resources

3. Represent and Organize Information

4. Formulate a Strategy

5. Monitor Problem Solving Strategies

6. Evaluate Solutions

Elements of the Program . . .

• Research and acquire background knowledge on specific and related topics

• Conduct field site investigations

• Work with and become the practicing professional

• Solve real-world problems

Mohegan Grant

Cultures, Science and Team Building Through Dance

Young Scientists at Work

The Selection Process . . . Specific criteria currently used to identify

students:

• Renzulli Scale for the Rating of the Behavioral Characteristics of Superior Students

• CMT’s ~ Level 5 in all content areas

• Writing Prompt ~ 10

• DRA 2 1. Independent Text Level (min 40/3rd; 50/4th)2. Reading Fluency 3rd & 4th ~ 15/16

Other data for selection

• Performance Data o 1st and 2nd marking period promptso math assessmentso independent classroom projects

• Other supporting evidenceo written statements of endorsement from the nominating teacher o observationso interview with the teacher of the TAG program

TAG Serves a Diverse Population . . .

Our population includes the following . . .The total 4th & 5th grade population for TPS is 765. 5% of that figure is 38.25. The total TAG identified elementary population is 46 or 6%. Minority population of total served – 26%.

Ethnicity Students

Hispanic 11%

African American 9%

Asian 4%

Indian 2%

Caucasian 74%

General Enrichment

• Connected to the curriculum with meaning and purpose for students; enhance student engagement and learning.

• TAG teachers work weekly with classroom teachers and unidentified students from six schools in a variety of enrichment activities related to the curriculum.

• Does not develop higher level thinking and problem solving skills. Students need to be taught these skills explicitly and have the opportunity to practice and apply them on a daily basis in the regular classroom.

• Data does not corroborate the notion that enrichment, unto itself, raises standardized test scores. It does build vocabulary and background knowledge.

Moving Forward…Recommendations

Develop an Arts Integration Panel to expand the integration of the Arts across all curriculum areas in the elementary and middle schools.

Expand Honors classes in grades 7 and 8, intelligence and content specific, to encompass more students. (for 2010-2011)

Seek grant funding to expand the Artists in Residence Program to include grades 1 and 2 district wide.

Provide all elementary and middle school students with a theatre experience.

In partnership with PTOs, develop Enrichment Committees within each elementary school to identify and select programs, presenters, and field site investigations that support and enhance curriculum topics and focus of instruction.

Research the possibility of establishing a primary Arts integrated magnet school

Offer professional development in differentiated instruction that would include skills in higher level thinking, higher order questioning, and problem solving.

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Why is a gifted program important to the City of Torrington?

In the Torrington Public Schools, the TAG Program is where the future leaders of our community are cultivated and begin their journey to a professional career. It is in the TAG Program that future doctors, scientists, business men and women and other potential community members have the opportunity to demonstrate their academically gifted attributes and develop an early interest and passion for a particular field. For example, Torrington’s Mayor Bingham participated in the Torrington TAG program while attending East School and Torrington Middle School.

It is important to keep this in mind when servicing those identified as gifted and give them a reason to “pay back” this community with their service.