OATAG BLOG |
Friends: This free webinar is offered by Washington Association of Educators of the Talented And Gifted (WAETAG)
Margaret, OATAG President Join us for July's Webinar on Increasing Student Engagement with Guest Speaker Dr. Brian Housand! When: Thursday, July 30, 4:00-5:00 pm PST Cost: FREE What it will cover: Superheroes and the gifted often possess virtues like compassion, altruism, and a sense of justice. Hope for the future relies not on superheroes miraculously saving the day but instead on empowering today's gifted kids to conquer the problems of tomorrow. This session compares gifted youth to superheroes and examines the type of support necessary for their own hero's journey. This session examines the inner and outer lives of gifted students through the lens of Pearson’s (1986) archetypal framework outlined in The Hero Within and provides connections to superheroes presented in popular media. Each of the six archetypes is presented with both a task and a gift. Specific advice and strategies to help support gifted students is provided for each archetype. Earn 1 FREE Clock Hour Guest Speaker: Dr. Brian Housand" OATAG has purchased a license to share the Bright and Quirky 2020 Summit with our members. Access to this collection usually costs $197 (currently discounted to $147) but OATAG members can view it for free. (Join OATAG Now)
The 2020 Summit brings together 23 top psychologists, advocates and educators with over 10 hours of insights and strategies in downloadable video, audio, and transcripts. To see what is included in the 2020 Summit click here The National Association for Gifted Children has assembled a set of resources for parents and educators of gifted children to use when schools are closed due to COVID-19. https://www.nagc.org/resources-educators-parents-during-covid-19
The 2019 OATAG Conference Program is now available on-line.
You can access it either on the Conference Web Site (https://www.oatag.org/conference.html) or directly on at: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1qZquoR1lhgS5hxIS38yhf2_fsavkmXcc 2019 Young Scholar Award Applications now being accepted
Applications are due February 28. This award recognizes excellence in young students. The chosen recipient will receive a scholarship of up to $500 to a summer program of their choice. Click Link above for more information. The OATAG board developed a set of questions for candidates for Governor. The questionnaires were sent out August 25, 2018 to the three candidates and we informed them that their response to these questions would be shared with parents and teachers across the state. As of 1 October only the Independent Candidate, Patrick Starnes has replied. See his responses HERE
If you are concerned about the lack of funding and services for TAG students now is the time to make your voice heard.
The Oregon Legislature Joint Committee on Student Success is meeting around the state to hear from citizens about their views on public education. Information about the committee, including meeting agendas, is here: https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2017I1/Committees/JCSS/Overview This committee is considering how to improve student success and includes making a budget proposal. The success of TAG students in Oregon depends on your participation in this process. There are two meetings scheduled in April and include an opportunity for public testimony. There is also an option for written testimony for anyone who is unable to attend the meetings. April 24 – Baker High School April 25 – Hermiston High School April 26 – Field trip in Arlington (No public hearing) Luke Donaldson of Coquille, Oregon is the recipient of the 2018 OATAG Young Scholar Award.
Luke, who came highly recommended by his teachers, is in the eighth grade at Coquille Junior High School. He was selected for this honor based on his academic and intellectual ability in addition to leadership and community service. Luke is a leader within his school exemplifying initiative, conscientiousness, and perseverance. Luke participates and excels in extracurricular activities including Knowledge Bowl and National Geographic Bee. He volunteers at South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve where as a two-year old he first developed his interest in estuaries, the ocean, and the beach environment. Luke says, “Ultimately it is my dream to find a solution to the trash that fills the ocean and litters our beaches.” Kylie Ostrin, a 5th grader from Albany who attends North Albany Elementary was selected as a runner-up based on her strong academics and citizenship. The $500 Scholarship that goes to the winner is funded by private donations. You can assist with this scholarship by making a directed donation to OATAG. From Margaret DeLacy, OATAG President
This fall, after a process that included reviewing, relocating and renumbering many state education standards, the State Board of Education resolved to require all districts to provide annual reports on their compliance with the Division 22 standards for public schools. Districts were required to report on their compliance with these standards, which include the TAG mandate, to their school board and community by FEBRUARY 1. The reports were to be made accessible to community members on the district's website by that date. Please check and make sure your district has posted this important information concerning its compliance with Oregon's standards for the education, health and safety of the children entrusted to its care. If the district hasn't done so, a gentle reminder would probably be in order, given that the rule was just strengthened after a hiatus of two years. If a gentle reminder is not sufficient, please let your school board (and OATAG) know. This reporting rule is itself a Division 22 standard, and a failure to follow the process can itself be the subject of a complaint and appeal to the Department of Education. The three rules that create the Oregon TAG mandate are among these Division 22 standards. They require identification, parent involvement, and instruction at TAG students' assessed level and rate of learning. Check to see whether your district is in compliance with these standards. If your district claims to be in compliance, and you disagree, it is time to take further action to bring this problem to its attention. The revised Division 22 rule on "Compliance and Reporting on Standards" (581-022-2305) can be found on the Oregon Department of Education website by clicking HERE |