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TAG Programs and Services

After an extensive year-long review, the TAG Department has begun the process of modifying several different components of our existing programs and services to better serve the educational needs of all students in the Sioux City Community School District.  

K-12 Services:

K-12 services include district wide, as well as at the building and individual level, professional development and a lending library. The online Lending Library is accessible to all teachers and supplies resources, learning centers, and other materials for classroom enrichment. Other indirect services include funding and support for after-school enrichment clubs, AP courses, and post-secondary enrollment options.

Programs:

Elementary: Every elementary building has a TAG Specialist assigned to work with the students and staff on a weekly basis. The TAG Specialists collaborate with classroom teachers to provide differentiated learning opportunities for all students. A small percentage of students in fourth and fifth grade receive individual or small group mentoring in either math or reading. These students are identified based on their ability and achievement scores from standardized testing, as well as district level assessments.

Middle School: There are two separate programs at the middle school level: Reading/TAG classes for students with advanced verbal skills and ART/TAG classes for artistically talented students.

High School: At the high school level, students with advanced verbal skills may take Honors English classes, currently offered in ninth and tenth grade. Other opportunities include AP and AP On-Line courses in a variety of subject areas. An Accelerated Strings program is also available for musically talented students.

TAG FAQ's - Frequently Asked Questions

What is “TAG”?
Although the letters “TAG” stand for Talented and Gifted, TAG in the Sioux City Community School District means much more than one program or class. The TAG Department provides a variety of services and programs for students and staff throughout the Sioux City Community School District.

How do students qualify to take these classes?
Different programs have different requirements. The verbal program, which includes the Reading/TAG and Honors English classes, uses a combination of specific sub-test scores from the Cognitive Ability Test, Iowa Test of Basic Skills, and district assessments, as well as classroom observation checklists. The ART program combines nominations, student work samples, and a drawing assessment (test). The Music program has an audition process.

Isn’t identification “labeling” students?
No, students are NOT identified to be “TAG” students. Identification is only to help find students who may benefit from the specific program offered.

Do students have to be referred to be considered for placement in TAG programs?
The TAG Department takes a proactive approach to identifying students who may benefit from the programs we offer. Rather than relying on referrals, data on all students is analyzed and evaluated at multiple times and levels to insure all students have equitable access to TAG programming. For elementary programs, this occurs at the end of third and fourth grade for all students. At the end of 5th grade, all students are considered for the Middle School Reading/TAG classes and the ART/TAG classes. When the registration process for High School begins, the data for all students are evaluated again for the Honors English classes.

If a student doesn’t qualify for a program at the beginning of the school year, can he/she be referred during the year?
Yes. Teachers, administrators, counselors, parents, or the student her/himself can make that request. During the referral process, additional information will be gathered which may include checklists, re-testing, or creating a portfolio of exemplary work.