TAG Programs and Services
The Talented and Gifted Education (TAG) Department provides a variety of services and programs for students and staff throughout the entire Sioux City Community School District.
District
Services
Professional Development - Along with the District Professional Development Coordinator and the K-12 Curriculum Director, TAG staff facilitates Professional Development Cadres for Building Leadership Teams.
Differentiation Cadre Resources
Elementary Enrichment Services - Resources for enrichment and classroom support for academically talented students are available to all teachers and administrators in our Lending Library.
District Programs
Elementary Mentor Program (Grades 4—5) - Individual, or small group, mentoring for students identified as verbally and/or quantitatively gifted. {2-3% of total district population}
Pull-out Program (Grade 5) - A 2 1/4 hour, once a week, pull-out class for students identified as academically and creatively talented and/or gifted. The curriculum focuses on the development of creative and critical thinking skills, problem solving, self-awareness, and communication skills. {6-8% of total district population}
Middle School TAG Program (Grades 6—8)
{7-9% of total district population-includes students previously identified for pull-out program}
6th Grade—Reading/TAG Class: The curriculum focuses around the theme of community. Using a variety of novels, projects, and the Accelerated Reader program, students are engaged in higher order thinking, communication skills, problem solving, and research.
7th Grade—Reading/TAG Class:‘Our Changing Country’ is the theme of the curriculum in seventh grade. Students continue to use a variety of novels, projects, and the Accelerated Reader program to explore communication, research, problem solving, and critical thinking skills.
8th Grade—Civics/TAG Class:Using the civics textbook as a resource, students will examine the workings and relationships among local, state, national, and global governments. Leadership skills are developed through application.
ART/TAG Classes (Grades 6-8) -Students identified as artistically talented and gifted focus on skill development and the understanding of essential art concepts, along with reflecting on completed art projects.
High School TAG Programs
Honors English/TAG Classes (Grades 9—10)- The curriculum focuses around Literary Studies, Research, and Critical Writing at an accelerated pace and increased depth. {8-10% of total district population- includes students previously identified for Middle School/TAG program}
Accelerated Strings (Grades 9—12) - Students identified as musically talented and gifted on a stringed instrument may participate in accelerated strings instruction and may engage in master classes, special instruction, field trips, and other accelerated learning experiences. Students must be enrolled in school orchestra to be considered for the program.
Advanced Placement Courses & AP On-Line (High School)- A variety of AP courses offer students an opportunity to do college-level work while in high school. Upon completion of the course, students take the nationally administered AP examination in May.
AP (Advanced Placement) Online Courses
Post—Secondary Enrollment Options Act (Grades 9—12) - Students identified for gifted programming may elect to participate in the Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Act beginning in 9th grade. The Act enables students to enroll in eligible courses at an Iowa post-secondary school and have the cost of tuition, fees, and books up to $250 assumed by the school district. Credit earned in the course is counted at the home school as well as the post-secondary institution. An eligible course is a non-sectarian course that is not comparable to a course taught in the high school.
