GATE Program Information
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GATE Program Information
The Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program is designed to meet the daily academic needs of eligible students in grades 3rd through 8th.
All classroom instruction begins with the California State standards for grade-level core curriculum and is differentiated based on the students’ needs and abilities. In this way, the students are challenged on the same standard by using materials and tasks at varied levels of difficulty.
In elementary and middle school, the program model for GATE is differentiation within the mainstream classroom. In 2001, new legislation called for a change in GATE education. Rather than pull children from class for a different curriculum, all differentiation takes place within the context of standards-based instruction in the regular classroom. Teachers enrich and extend the core curriculum for gifted students by differentiating instruction, content, and process. Through differentiated assignments developed to meet their academic and intellectual needs, GATE students are able to explore and expand to their maximum potential. These differentiated curricular opportunities are available to all students, not just those who are formally identified.
What is Differentiation?
Differentiation incorporates the use of varied strategies and techniques to serve students of different ability levels within the same class. Teachers modify or accelerate the curriculum for students through variations in content, process, product and learning environment. In-class differentiation is the main component of how GATE services are provided and a best practice for all grades (K-8).
How are students identified for GATE?
The district’s identification procedures are equitable and compre-hensive. Assessment for GATE begins in third grade and entrance to GATE begins in 4th grade.
A combination of multiple-measures is used to identify students as gifted and talented:
- Standardized test scores -
CST scores in English Language Arts and Mathematics - A non-reading test of cognitive processing skills -
Ravens Progressive Matrices - Checklists of Indicators of Giftedness
- Multiple Intelligences Checklist
- Teacher judgment of class performance
- Out of district qualification
Parents will be notified by letter of the GATE identification process and if their child has qualified as a GATE student.