ADVOCATE FOR TAG AT PPS SCHOOL BOARD MEETING TUESDAY, FEB. 3!!

Please see the following information circulated by a parent on the TAG parent advisory council:  

RARE WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY TO HELP YOUR CHILD
In a week, on Tuesday, February 3rd, PPS’s Talented And Gifted parent Advisory Council (TAGAC) is presenting its plan for improving TAG services to the PPS School Board. 

This proposal was approved by TAGAC last June (http://www.pps.k12.or.us/files/tag/TAGAC_2013-14_report_and_recommendations.pdf); it is comprehensive:

1. Provide equity by requiring placement of all Elementary and Middle School Students in Appropriate Level Math and Reading Classes; one grade level advancement should be provided at each elementary and middle school. 
2.      Reform Screening for Single Subject Advancement; the SSA process should only be necessary for multi-grade advancements. 
3.      Use Flexible Grouping to Narrow Range of Achievement Levels for Math and Reading in heterogeneous classrooms. 
4.      Repurpose School TAG Budgets. 
5.      Expand ACCESS Academy. 
6.      Post expanded TAG Statistics on the PPS Website. 

If you feel current services are inadequate, and you want the School Board to realize that more than ‘just a few’ parents feel this way, you need to come to the School Board Meeting on 2/3. After introductions, we plan to ask all TAG parents in the audience to stand €“ it will make a powerful statement if that room is full.
If you want to bring signs, we suggest “Strong Schools Need Strong TAG Services” .

The School Board Meeting will be at the school district's Blanchard Education Service Center, 501 N. Dixon Street, Portland, Oregon, 97227. We encourage people to be there by 7pm.

Please also fill out the PPS Successful Schools Survey. It is available online at http://www.oregonskitchentable.org,in print in school offices, and can be downloaded. More information and directions go tohttp://www.pps.k12.or.us/about-us/10281.htm. 

If your child is TAG, please be sure to indicate that on the survey; TAGAC was successful in lobbying for a TAG box so that results can be looked at for this specific population and compared to those of non-TAG parents. There are several questions that would show how you feel about the "TAG services" your child is getting. So please think carefully about the answers to the following questions:

4. promotes academic success for all students.
6. challenges my child/children academically. 
11. makes learning enjoyable for my child/children. 
12. welcomes input and suggestions from parents 
27. My child’s teachers effectively support my child’s learning needs. 
38. harassment or bullying of students? (if happening from good grades, being a nerd, smart, etc)
47. motivates students to learn. 
48. has a supportive learning environment for my child.

If these mirror results from the 2012 TAG parent survey (http://www.pps.k12.or.us/files/TAG_Survey_Letter_2012.13.pdf), the message will be very strong. Please also consider advocating for improved TAG services, even noting the TAGAC recommendations, on Question #60.

We have the School Board’s ear very briefly I hope you take advantage of this opportunity.