OLSAT questions

[Anonymous]

My PGCPS first grader took the OLSAT Level B the week of October 20. No results yet — I asked the TAG coordinator when they might be available, but was only told before third quarter.

A couple questions:

1. I know the cutoff for PGCPS TAG consideration is the 81st percentile. But roughly what raw score would equate to that percentile? I know that it varies somewhat by the year and the age of the test taker. But I would think there would be historical aggregate data or conversion tables *somewhere* on the internet that would give some general idea. Nope. Nothing.

2. How in the year 2025 does it take well over two months to obtain results? SAT results take a month at most!

[Anonymous]

It takes a while to get those scores back, like 3 months. If your school already has a tag program associated with it, you can get the extensions without the designation. My daughter did not test well, and didn't test into TAG until 5th grade, but always got the TAG extension work in class.

[Anonymous]

PGCPS TAG designation requires the teacher's recommendation and an OLSAT score higher than 81st percentile. Both criteria must be met and a review of student grades and teacher observation is also included in order to receive the TAG designation. The good news is you can enter the lottery prior to receiving the official designation. All students, if accepted via the lottery will be vetted for TAG status prior to enrollment. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Four months later, still no results. Insane.

[Anonymous]

It might seem insane to the parents but you need to remember that the district has about ~10,000 kids in each grade. So for 1st, 3rd and some of 5th, that is close to 25,000 kids who need to be evaluated for the program. This is in addition to all the kids who get tested privately. There are only 3 or 4 people in the TAG office and they have other responsibilities.
I think that they try to release the OLSAT test results after they get the teacher assessments for the kids who qualify so that they can provide the TAG identification in the same letter. That requires multiple teachers from 130 schools to respond to the questionnaires.
It's a huge undertaking and should really be decentralized.

[Anonymous]

My understanding of the process is this:
-School administers the tests
-Central office gets the results
-Central office notifies the TAG coordinator at each school the names of the kids who need to be assessed.
-TAG coordinator reaches out to the teachers.
-Teachers do assessments and sends to TAG coordinator
-TAG coordinator sends to the central office.
-Central office matches the scores and the assessment and makes determination
-Central office produces letters and sends to the schools
-Schools send the letters home.