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As a parent to two TAG students and the teacher of many more (at a Gresham charter school that most certainly does "have to deal with special needs, poverty, ethnicity,etc"), I want to advocate for maintaining TAG programs.  I know from both experiences and from research that TAG students whose educational needs are not met are at risk for failure.  My children's school district hired a TAG coordinator this year who has done a phenomenal job (Kasshawna Blamer at Oregon Trail), and it has made a world of difference in my children's learning and attitude toward learning.  Every year I have bright, talented students with tremendous potential going to waste because they are so frustrated with what they've been given in our schools.  They are not lazy, unmotivated, uncaring, etc.  They are frustrated.  They need a different educational program.  This is not elitist, any more than it is elitist to provide an appropriate public education to students who need accomodations for learning or physical disabilities.  I'd like to write more, but need to begin my class.

posted 3 years ago
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