What is OATAG?
OATAG stands for the Oregon Association for Talented and Gifted. We are a non-profit organization composed of parents, teachers, administrators, and community members who share a common interest in gifted and talented education in Oregon and around the world.
Is OATAG a part of the Government?
No, OATAG is a non-profit group of private citizens. We are not affiliated in any way with the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) or any other governmental agencies. However, OATAG does lobby governmental agencies to make changes to policies and/or laws that are beneficial for Talented and Gifted (TAG) students.
What does OATAG do?
OATAG does a number of things; however, our focus is primarily in three areas: education, legislation, and affiliation–or networking–of people. We inform people about TAG issues though meetings, conferences, our Yahoo listserv (email discussion list), our newsletter, A Different Drummer, radio and TV broadcasts, our website, etc. We work with politicians and policy makers in the government to improve learning environments for TAG students through proposing appropriate legislation. Finally, we bring folks together and provide a forum for networking so parents and educators have resources available to them for working with TAG students.
Why is OATAG important?
OATAG is the statewide advocacy organization for TAG education in Oregon. We are frequently the lone voice for improvement of learning environments for TAG students, and the primary group voicing opposition to budget cuts involving TAG programs and services. We want to assist teachers and parents to do a better job of educating and guiding TAG students. We desire to facilitate discussion among all stakeholders concerning common problems that occur in gifted education. We are the state affiliate for the National Association of Gifted Children (www.nagc.org).
Why Join OATAG?
OATAG is an organization dedicated to providing TAG students with the educational opportunities that they so desperately need. We need members to join us in this important work. We need people–we need YOU–to step up and make a difference in the lives of our children, indeed, in the very future of our nation. By joining OATAG, you can help in several ways:
Your tax-deductible membership dues go to support OATAG in its mission: “OATAG advocates for the needs of talented and gifted children; serves as a resource for families, educators, and communities; and provides direction for excellence in education.”
Your assistance–even a few hours a month–is desperately needed to help us carry out this mission. You could volunteer to write to a legislator or your local newspaper, work for a few hours at the annual conference, join a committee, or much, much, more.
The very fact that you are a member makes us stronger. When we meet with legislative representatives in Salem to advocate for TAG students, the number of people we represent makes a big difference. Simply stated, politicians are more interested in helping organizations representing greater populations. By joining OATAG, you add your name to our list of constituents, and therefore increase our ability to influence change.