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My wife is a Master's+ level teacher in the Hillsboro School District, where we have three TAG children attending; one in middle school and two in elementary.
All three of our children have "forms in their file" and not a whole lot more to show for their identification.
While the premise of the TAG program is admirable, it seems sorely lacking in implementation. The two elementary students appreciate the extra activity offerings that are available (classroom "pull-outs" for cultural activities, OMSI-sponsored science activities, etc), but the in-class academics are [i]mostly[/i] "more of the same."
Our middle-schooler has access to Saturday Academy classes in many areas, but very little in-school differentiation seems to occur at that level.
As an educator and spouse, we are acutely aware of the lack of funding for both Special Needs and TAG programs, but there has to be a solution that allows all three groups to succeed to their maximum potential. I know this is a dead old horse, but is indicative of continuing issues- perhaps a little less spending on administration buildings and a little more on classroom resources?

posted 5 years, 3 months ago
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