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On March 18, 2021, The State Board of Education adopted the temporary rule “TAG Identification 581-022-0104 State Standards for the 2020-21 School Year.” The temporary rule waives TAG identification for the 2020-21 school year.
Background
- Many districts use Oregon State Assessment System (OSAS) and/or nationally normed assessments to determine TAG eligibility.
- The OSAS was not administered in the spring of 2020, creating an absence of test scores commonly reviewed (and used for TAG identification) during September of the next school year.
- September 2020 – Numerous districts started the year in Comprehensive Distance Learning, creating difficulty or an inability to administer, in-person, commonly used assessments (CogAT, NNAT, TerraNova, ITBS, etc.). Due to concerns of remote testing, many districts did not participate in remote options as well.
- March 2021 – Comprehensive Distance Learning continues to serve as the primary source of learning for many districts.
- March 2021 – district TAG leaders received a survey through the TAG listserv, designed to gather data regarding their TAG identification experiences throughout our state.
- The majority of districts who responded to the survey indicated significant challenges in equitably identifying TAG students.
- Districts reported students experiencing prolonged trauma (wildfires, job loss of family members, homelessness, COVID-19 impacts, access to reliable Internet, support, resources, and food), as well as social-emotional/mental health concerns.
- March 2021, ODE presented a temporary rule to the State Board to waive TAG identification. The Board adopted the temporary rule.
FAQs
Q: If our district is identifying students successfully this year, do we need to stop?
A: No. Please continue to identify students if your district is finding success this year. The intention of the waiver is to provide districts with adequate time, resources, and opportunities to effectively and equitably identify TAG students.
Q: Should we carry over students from this school year who currently referred, nominated, or under eligibility review, to next school year?
A: Yes. If you are unable to complete the identification process this year or you do not have sufficient data and evidence to support identification, please notify families of students currently under eligibility review that your district is putting a pause on identification this year and will resume next school year (2021-22).
Q: Will our district need to report on the TAG identification OAR (581-022-2325) for the 2020-21 school year (Division 22 Assurances)?
A: No. The State Board of Education has waived OAR 581-022-2325 for the 2020-21 school year.
Please contact me if you have any other questions regarding TAG identification for the 2020-21 school year.
Best,
Angela
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