Talented & Gifted

In Silver Falls schools we pride ourselves in attempting to meet the diverse learning needs of all of our students, regardless of language, disability, rate or level of learning, learning style or interests. Every student is valued in this district. At the same time, we recognize that sometimes it is helpful to identify certain students according to their particular needs to help make sure they don’t get lost in the crowd. Identification as Talented or Gifted (TAG) is one way we set apart a group of students as deserving of special attention.

Silver Falls School District is committed to identifying and providing for the unique intellectual, social, emotional, and career needs of Talented and Gifted students. It is our goal to provide appropriate educational programs and services through instructional, curricular, and administrative modifications to create educational opportunities for TAG students which will maximize their individual potential. We believe that TAG students exist in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups across gender, and we are committed to identifying them and providing appropriate services.

A Talented or Gifted student has exceptional academic or intellectual abilities. In Silver Falls, academic ability must be shown in either reading or math. Intellectual ability is an unusual capability in mental reasoning. Of course, children could also be gifted in other areas, such as the arts or leadership. It is helpful to be aware of all children’s gifts in order to provide appropriate instruction, but for the purposes of official TAG identification, a student must excel in reading, math, or intellectual ability.