Anonymous wrote:"TAG is ridiculously political in ACPS, and all the politics are rooted in race."

Can you elaborate? Are certain races prioritized for the TAG program? Is the selection process based on subjective observation instead of objective testing?

The history of TAG dovetails with the ACPS have-and-have-not system.

Bluntly, in the past, white kids were far more represented in TAG, chiefly because their parents were better advocates for them. Blacks and Hispanics were underepresented, which is not to say they were disproportionately not qualified to be in the program, but rather that their talents weren't recognized. Meanwhile, white parents determined to keep their kids in the public schools saw TAG as a way to isolate their kids from "the general population" and spend time with others whose families value education more strongly (even though their kids may not be gifted per se).

Alexandria being the liberal city it is (and I don't use that as a pejorative), the community activists raised more of a fuss, and the ACPS kind of retreated and said it would retool TAG.

Shortly after we entered ACPS three years ago, it was announced that they were making the criteria more objective by instituting across-the-board testing in 2nd Grade. Supposedly this would help better identify blacks and Hispanics who belonged in the program. However, you could still self-refer, I believe, and teachers could still make recommendations.

I'm not sure how the numbers have worked out. My own DD was TAG-identified but we left the system b/c of broader problems. There's no TAG program at the middle schools now, just "open enrollment" honors.

The high school has a robust AP program and it's possible to get an excellent education there, but only if you're in the bubble. The general atmosphere isn't really college-bound. We were concerned about the "Yale or Jail" message this would send to our kids.

"TAG is ridiculously political in ACPS, and all the politics are rooted in race."

Can you elaborate? Are certain races prioritized for the TAG program? Is the selection process based on subjective observation instead of objective testing?

Anonymous wrote:Earlier this fall, there were a few posts about changes that Alexandria City Public Schools are contemplating for it's TAG program and I was wondering if anyone has an update? We are new to the school system this year and, thus far, have found a lack of communication regarding the rationale for some of their other decisions (application for an early start date, early dismissals changing to days off, etc.). Going forward, it would be nice to trust that decisions are being made in the best interests of the students.

Any updates would be appreciated! Thanks.

TAG is ridiculously political in ACPS, and all the politics are rooted in race.

Everything is in flux because of the new head of the program who just started two weeks ago and the fact that the school system has to come up with its new 5 year plan this year (school systems have to update their plans every five years). If you are interested, I would suggest going to the TAG committee meetings, which are scheduled once a month - you don't have to be on the committee to attend, the public is welcome and it is the best way to find out what is going on. Check the ACPS website for the schedule - the meetings are usually in the library at Minnie Howard.

They recently hired a new woman to head the program...the information is on their website.

Earlier this fall, there were a few posts about changes that Alexandria City Public Schools are contemplating for it's TAG program and I was wondering if anyone has an update? We are new to the school system this year and, thus far, have found a lack of communication regarding the rationale for some of their other decisions (application for an early start date, early dismissals changing to days off, etc.). Going forward, it would be nice to trust that decisions are being made in the best interests of the students.

Any updates would be appreciated! Thanks.