GATE Program goals GATE students Parent Involvement Program Assessment

Gifted Learner Funding History of GATE Site Programs

Resources GATE Links GATE Calendar Contact

Goals of the GATE Program

The goals of the Gifted and Talented Education programs, as developed and approved by the District GATE Parent Advisory Committee, are to help students:

• Develop learning skills and challenge his/her abilities.
• Derive the additional benefits provided by differentiated educational opportunities.
• Interact with other gifted students.
• Express unusual and/or creative ideas, react to others’ ideas, and work in an environment in which it is safe to be a risk taker.
• Develop critical and logical thinking.

Identification of GATE Students

Identification of GATE Students consists of the following steps:

1. All students in the district are screened in the fall of their 3rd grade year for potential GATE eligibility. The Naglieri Non-verbal Ability Test (NNAT) is used to screen students. Students are tested in their classrooms. The test is administered by trained school district staff, and take approximately one hour. A parent information and permission letter is sent home prior to testing. An additional testing time is scheduled in the Spring for older students, and for students new to the District.
2. If results from the NNAT indicate that a child may qualify for GATE but are inconclusive, additional intellectual, academic and impact factor information may be requested from teachers and parents, and additional assessment conducted to aid in the eligibility decision. Parent permission will be requested prior to this step.
3. District staff, including the District GATE Coordinator and District psychologists will use a GATE Identification Matrix Sheet to make determinations of GATE eligibility, based upon the above information.
4. The parent/guardian, teacher and principal of students who are identified as gifted are sent letters indicating the student's status.

Elementary Schools

With the passage of Senate Bill 2313 in 2001, the focus of elementary GATE services has shifted to the classroom. Teachers are asked to make decisions with GATE students in mind when designing instruction. Staff development for district teachers in differentiating instruction is ongoing. Challenging, project-based activities tied to the basic classroom curriculum, but with real-world applications are encouraged in student assignments. In kindergarten through 5th grade, part-time, flexible groupings within the classroom and school allow for acceleration and extension throughout the day.

Options for GATE students outside the regular school day are varied. Recent after-school classes have included mask-making, drama, foreign language, algebra, cultural studies, exercise physiology and drawing. Classes often culminate in a display or performance.

Zane Middle School

GATE services are an integral part of the elective program. In elective classes, students are provided opportunities to experience the challenges gifted students need. This could include special fields trips, high tech computers, other specialized equipment, and creative thinking projects that differentiate their learning from the regular classroom instruction.

Differentiated instruction for GATE students is also provided through the core classrooms as planned/organized by their core teachers.

Winship Middle School

The GATE program takes two different forms at Winship. Increasingly, teachers are providing differentiated instruction opportunities within the classroom. Staff development to support teachers in providing differentiated learning opportunities is ongoing.

There is also a lunch time program for GATE students that meets 2nd and 3rd trimester, with a focus on visual and performing arts activities and technology. They have various activities and a culminating field trip at the end of the year.

Eureka High School

High school GATE students have access to Advanced Placement (AP) and Honors classes in a variety of subject areas. GATE students are encouraged to take Golden State, AP and ACE exams. A teacher coordinates a program to assist in preparation for college entrance, including assistance in writing a letter of application, and for taking the SAT. SAT preparation classes are held outside the regular school day. Students are supported in their participation in History Day as well as leadership events affiliated with NJROTC, Future Farmers of America and student government. GATE students have opportunities to participated in GATE supported out-of-area college tours and well as a local college night held for all students.

There are three parent meetings per year. The first meeting is devoted to evaluation and orientation for new GATE parents. At least one meeting per year is dedicated to the social and emotional development of GATE students.

The GATE Parent Advisory includes representatives from all school sites and meets six times per year to plan and evaluate the GATE program.

Parents volunteers encouraged! Please contact your school site to find out ways that you can support the GATE program. The GATE Parent Advisory is moving forward with plans for a GATE website, to be used as a vehicle for sharing information, ideas and resources.

Partnerships with businesses, other educational institutions and local cultural organizations are encouraged.

Gifted and Talented Education in California
California Department of Education

California Association for the Gifted (CAG)
The members of CAG are parents, educators, and community members; anyone interested in the education of gifted and talented young people.

National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC)
NAGC is a non-profit organization of parents, teachers, educators, community leaders, and other professionals who unite to address the unique needs of all children and youth with demonstrated gifts and talents.

 

Program Assessment

Data from STAR and District multiple criteria assessments is disaggregated and analyzed for all student populations. It is expected that at least 89% of identified GATE students will score above the 80th percentile in reading or math.

The District Educational Services division and the GATE coordinator maintain a database of student achievement and demographic information.

Parent surveys are distributed and compiled every other year in the spring.

Parents are encouraged to maintain communication with teachers, counseling staff and the GATE coordinator at the school site regarding progress of their student.

What is a Gifted Learner?
By Janice Szabos

Bright Child Knows the answers Is interested Is attentive Has good ideas Works hard Answers the question Top group Listens with interest Learns with ease 6-8 repetitions for mastery Understand ideas Enjoys peers Grasps the meaning Completes assignments Is receptive Copies accurately Enjoys school Absorbs information Technician Good memory Is alert Is pleased with own learning Enjoys straightforward, sequential presentation

Gifted Learner Asks the question Is highly curious Is mentally and physically involved Has wild, silly ideas Plays around yet tests well Discusses in detail; elaborates Beyond the top group Shows strong feelings and opinions Already knows Understands ideas Constructs abstractions Prefers adults Draws inferences Initiates projects Is intense Creates a new design Enjoys learning Manipulates information Inventor Good guesser Is keenly observant Is highly self-critical Thrives on complexity

GATE is a State funded program. During the 2002-03 school year, the Eureka City Unified School District received approximately $44,000 to provide GATE services. Approximately $9,000 goes for district support of the program. The remainder of the funds are distributed to school sites to provide support to identified students. Funds are distributed to sites based upon the number of identified students at that school.

History of GATE

In 1961 the California legislature established a program specifically for students achieving in the 98th percentile. Originally named MGM, (Mentally Gifted Minor), it was replaced in 1980 by the current GATE Program (Gifted and Talented Education). In January, 2001, Senate Bill 2313 was passed which mandated specific delivery of the GATE Program during student’s school day.

Contact

Paul Gossard
Eureka City Schools GATE coordinator
707-441-2547