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Learning Development Strategies for Home

Understanding Grade 1 Testing and Screening

Universal Testing and Screening for PGCPS TAG Services

All Grade 1 PGCPS students are tested with the Otis Lennon School Abilities Test (OLSAT) and the iReady Reading Assessment each fall as part of the Talented and Gifted (TAG) screening process, which allows us to recognize exceptional ability and provide opportunities for advanced learning. 

To help ensure that children perform to the best of their ability on these assessments, here are some strategies that can be implemented at home: 

Read Together Regularly 

  • Discuss what you are reading - ask about favorite parts, characters, etc. 
  • Make predictions about what might happen next. 
  • Ask your child questions about what's happening in the story when reading together. If something doesn't make sense, figure it out together.
  • Help your child notice details in the text and in the illustrations.  
  • Explore new words from the story and talk about what they mean. 

Foster Critical Thinking

  • Encourage them to question things and express opinions. 
  • Ask them “why” they think what they do. Have them support their ideas. 
  • Help them understand how things go together. Note relationships among things and ideas.  Help them look for similarities and differences in things.  
  • Utilize brainteasers, wordplay, logic problems, picture puzzles, riddles, strategy games, and such. 
    • a brainteaser as a fun and challenging puzzle that exercises your brain. It's like a game or activity that makes you think really hard to find the answer. These puzzles come in many different types, like riddles where you have to figure out the answer to a tricky question, or puzzles where you have to use logic to solve a problem.
  • Play “Which One Doesn’t Belong” games.  
  • Play games that lay a foundation for conceptual understanding of math ideas. 
    • For example, board games like "Snakes and Ladders" can teach children about counting, number recognition, and simple addition and subtraction as they move their game pieces along the board. Card games such as "War" or "Go Fish" can help reinforce number recognition and basic arithmetic skills.

Foster Spatial Reasoning

  • Encourage puzzles and games that help develop spatial thinking. (e.g. chess, checkers, provide blocks, LEGO sets, or other building toys that allow your child to create three dimensional structures. 
  • Encourage artistic expression through drawing, coloring, and painting. Discuss perspective and spatial relationships. 
  • Use descriptive spatial vocabulary regularly - across, between, under, above, near, beside, next, etc. 

  Foster Problem-Solving Skills 

  • Allow them to figure things out, become problem-solvers; the best answer to “Why?” is “let’s find out! 
  • Read stories about people who are problem solvers. 
  • Don’t rescue…reframe. Help clarify the problem and brainstorm solutions.  Encourage them to look for “cues” and “clues”; take another look. 
  • Honor tenacity, effort, and perseverance. 

Foster Creative Thinking (which goes hand in hand with critical thinking)

  • Encourage “outside the box” thinking - think beyond obvious answers. 
  • Ask open-ended questions that require them to think critically and consider multiple perspectives. 
  • Ask “What if…?” questions that stretch thinking (e.g. What if there were no trees?) Foster your child's curiosity by providing opportunities to explore new places, try different foods, or learn about various cultures. 

Provide Positive Feedback

  • Offer praise and positive reinforcement for their efforts, regardless of the outcome. A supportive and encouraging environment at home can boost your child's confidence and motivation. 

The TAG screening process is a multiple criteria process that includes the OLSAT Cognitive Ability Assessment score, iReady Reading score, Checklist of Gifted Characteristics, and report card grades.  Cognitive ability test data is valid for 2 years and retesting is not completed when students have valid cognitive ability test data on file.

The school staff will provide further details regarding actual testing dates.  For further information, please contact the TAG Coordinator at your school.

TAG Program Models at Elementary Schools

The list below includes the program models implemented at our elementary schools and their TAG Coordinator.

School TAG Coordinator Name Program Model
Accokeek Academy Ellen St. Clair    Center (via lottery placement)
Adelphi Elementary Telethia Bazemore Pull-out
Allenwood Elementary Angela Phipps Pull-out
Andrew Jackson Academy Maria Saluria Pull-out
Apple Grove ES Johnetha Davis/Nicole Worrell Pull-out
Ardmore Elementary Joycelyn Easter-Staley Pull-out
Arrowhead ES Abimael Falcon-Villagas Pull-out
Avalon ES Edna Racana Pull-out
Baden Elementary Principal Huff Pull-out
Barack Obama Elementary Betty Tinnin Pull-out
Barnaby Manor Elementary Lou Darcera Pull-out
Beacon Heights ES Jamala Young     Pull-out
Beltsville Academy (K-8) Maya Lars Pull-out
Benjamin D. Foulois CPA Deborah Haw Pull-out
Berwyn Heights Elementary Chele Sachs Pull-out
Bladensburg Elementary Vivian Cruz Pull-out
Bond Mill Elementary Christina Moran TRC
Bradbury Heights Elementary Sarah Laslow Pull-out
Brandywine ES Tia Collins Pull-out
Calverton Elementary Shannell Baynard Pull-out
Capitol Heights Elementary Wendy Walton Center (via lottery placement)
Carmody Hills Elementary Kathryn Greene Pull-out
Carole Highlands ES Elizabeth Carter Pull-out
Carrollton Elementary Trasee Bradley Pull-out
Catherine T Reed ES Bela Tayal Pull-out
César Chávez Elementary Spanish Immersion Elizabeth Tapia TRC
Cherokee Lane Elementary Cama Kalee Wilson Pull-out
CMIT - South Ayana Matthews Contact School Administrator
CMIT - North Quiana Brooks-Curry Contact School Administrator
Chillum ES Idika Agwu Pull-out

Clinton Grove ES

Colin Powell

Sharon Berry

Melissa Johnson

Pull-out

Pull-out

Columbia Park ES Jeannine Butler Pull-out
Concord ES Kimberly Wright Pull-out
Cool Spring ES Arifkhan Pathan Pull-out
Cooper Lane ES Lanee Sheffield Pull-out
Cora L. Rice ES Trina Brown Pull-out
Deerfield Run Elementary Glynda Brown Pull-out
District Heights ES Shirlene Baucum Pull-out
Dodge Park ES Evelyn Fabito Pull-out
Dora Kennedy (K-8) French Immersion Peter Mills TRC
Doswell Brooks ES Cindy Watson Pull-out
Edward M.Felegy ES Patricia Twitty Pull-out
EXCEL Academy Stacye Palmer Pull-out
Flintstone Elementary School Principal Stinson Pull-out
Forest Heights ES Krystyn Cornish Pull-out
Fort Foote ES Kim Warley Pull-out
Fort Washington Forest ES Assata Ellis Pull-out
Francis Scott Key ES Shanelle Lucas Pull-out
Francis T. Evans ES Natasha Torres Pull-out
Gaywood Elementary Taunja Winkler Pull-out
Gladys Noon Spellman ES Aisha Wilson Pull-out
Glassmanor ES Florida Underwood Pull-out
Glenarden Woods ES Amanda Soto Center (via lottery placement)
Glenn Dale Elementary Karen Streeter TRC
Glenridge ES Arlayna Wilson Pull-out
Greenbelt Elementary Mackenzie Peter TRC
Heather Hills ES Richard Johnson Center (via lottery placement)
High Bridge E.S. Michelle Webber Pull-out
HIghland Park ES Nikea White Center (via lottery placement)
Hillcrest Heights ES Sarah Thornborough Pull-out
Hollywood Elementary Marissa Razier Pull-out
Hyattsville E.S. Faith Brock Pull-out
Imagine - Leeland Public Charter Laquanecia Dunn Pull-out
Imagine Andrews Crystal McCann Pull-out
Imagine Lincoln Janet Krisko Pull-out
Imagine Morningside LaSonya King Pull-out
Indian Queen ES Tiffany Matthews Pull-out
J Frank Dent ES Jannie Cobb Pull-out
James H Harrison Debbie Boyd Pull-out
James McHenry ES Mary Harris Pull-out
James Ryder Randall ES Gina Weaver Pull-out
John H. Bayne ES Grace Jefferson Pull-out
John Hanson Montessori Bria Pleasant Pull-out
Judge S Woods Elementary Olivia Castillo Pull-out
Judith P Hoyer Brandi Cole Pull-out
Kenilworth ES Robert Watson TRC
Kettering ES Ashley Bordanaro Pull-out
Kingsford Elementary Mary Mullennix TRC
Lake Arbor Elementary Sharon Holley Pull-out
Lamont Elementary Charlene Cooper Langley Pull-out
Langley Park McCormick Zandra Brown Pull-out
Laurel Elementary School Savannah Jackson Pull-out
Lewisdale ES Janell Lewis Pull-out
Longfields ES Erica Bair Center (via lottery placement)
Magnolia ES Adrienne Johnson Pull-out
Marlton Elementary Jennifer Santini Pull-out
Mary Harris Mother Jones ES Kyara Aliciea Pull-out
Mattaponi ES Amanda Meyer Center (via lottery placement)
Maya Angelou (K-8) French Immersion Rachelle Jones TRC
Melwood ES Glenda Hinton Pull-out
Montpelier Elementary Stacy Schwink Pull-out
Mount Rainier ES Stephen Horoff Pull-out
North Forestville ES Principal Falecia McMillian Pull-out
Northview Elementary Jennifer Badum / Hannah Hirschfeld Pull-out
Oaklands ES Alxandria Pearsall Pull-out
Overlook Full Spanish Immersion Joy Moreland TRC
Oxon Hill Elementary Jannie Cobb   Pull-out
Paint Branch Elementary Mark Magauay TRC
Panorama ES Sarah Barias Pull-out
Patuxent ES Wendy Mixon Pull-out
Perrywood Elementary Jondrea Logan, Assistant Principal TRC
Phyllis E. Williams Elementary Spanish Immersion Ana Espinet TRC
Pointer Ridge Elementary Kristy Tull Pull-out
Port Towns ES Christine Stratton Pull-out
     
Princeton ES Cecelia Thomas Pull-out
Ridgecrest ES Marcia Mincy Pull-out
Riverdale Elementary Jennifer Gerber Pull-out
Robert Frost Elementary Paddy Gordon Pull-out
Robert Goddard Montessori Karuna Skariah Pull-out
Robert Gray ES Donna Spriggs Missouri Pull-out
Rockledge Elementary Jean Lowd Pull-out
Rogers Heights ES Principal Duane Edwards Pull-out
Rosa L. Parks ES Karen Matthews Pull-out
Rosaryville ES Kelsie Proulx Pull-out
Rose Valley ES Niki Salley Pull-out
Samuel Chase ES Jennifer Bell Pull-out
Samuel Massie ES Jenifer Burgoon Pull-out
Scotchtown Hills Elementary Nicole Dorn-Pekins Pull-out
Seabrook ES Kimberly Long Pull-out
Seat Pleasant ES Deanna Tyler Pull-out
Springhill Lake ES Tamara Wood Pull-out
Suitland ES Ceci Aikens Pull-out
Tayac Academy Janese Hemby Pull-out
Templeton Elementary School Mary Dominic Lorena Pull-out
Thomas Pullen Academy Jessie Vitale Pull-out
Thomas S. Stone Elementary Anthony Clark Pull-out
Tulip Grove Elementary Tina Holmes TRC
University Park Elementary Alison Hamer TRC
Valley View Elementary Shawanda Spivey Center (via lottery placement)
Vansville Elementary Donna Howard Pull-out
Waldon Woods Elementary Quiana Gibson Pull-out
Whitehall Elementary Jill Piazza/Jennifer Monath TRC
William Beanes ES Heather Mackall Pull-out
William Paca ES Vanessa Lofton Pull-out
William W. Hall ES Candyce Yates Pull-out
Woodmore ES Angela Sichelman Pull-out
Woodridge ES Maria Guerrero Pull-out
Yorktown Elementary Rebecca White TRC