GATE Program
DefinitionsThe gifted program is designed to offer academic opportunities and educational services in grades 2-12. These students, because of their academic aptitude, require academic services beyond which is offered within the regular classroom and curriculum.Because they are a unique population of learners. gifted students benefit from additional opportunities to enhance their educational and social growth. We believe that by providing additional services, beyond the regular curriculum, we will give gifted students opportunities to excel and grow academically.The district will conduct child-find activities to increase community awareness of the district's services, referral procedures, and contact persons. The activities will include newspaper and radio announcements, district newsletter articles, and speaking engagements to groups and agencies in the community.The gifted screening referral process uses the standarized achievement test that is given annually to students in grades three through eight. Students who score at the 95th percentile in general intellectual ability and specific achievement, or above the 92nd percentile on the basic battery will be eligible for referral and multi-faceted testing prior to a possible placement in the gifted program.
Students who have not had a standarized achievement test can be referred for testing and possible placement in the gifted program by a parent or teacher who believes that a student may meet the gifted criteria.Written notice that their child is eligible for referral for gifted testing will be given to parents of students who score at these levels. The testing to determine eligibility for the gifted program includes an intelligence test (IQ) and an individualized standardized achievement test. Students are eligible for the gifted program when they meet the following criteria:
- A full scale IQ test of 127 (WISC IV) or above and
- A score of 95th percentile or above in reading or math on an individualized achievement test.
When students are eligible to be placed in the gifted program, a placement team is formed including the building administrator, gifted instructor, classroom teacher, parents and other designated personnel. This team will meet to review the evaluation results and determine a personal education plan (PEP) for the student.Students eligible for the gifted program in grades 2-6 may participate in the pullout program which meets one-half day each week at Garfield School. If students are identified at grade one, individual programs or services will be developed with the help of the regular clasroom teacher to meet the student's needs. Within the regular classroom setting, curriculum modifications might include curriculum compacting, enrichment, tiered assignments, mentorship or subject acceleration to meet the needs of identified students.Students at the 7th through 12th level may participate in special topics facilitated by the gifted instructor, enrichment projects, clubs, and extracuricular activites. Gifted students in 7-12 grade levels will meet regularly with the gifted teacher in order to facilitate their academic needs. Parent meetings will be held at grades six and grade eight iin order to help parents understand the services that are available at each school level.
Students may also be accelerated by subject and whole grade levels on a case by case basis. The students considered for subject and grade acceleration must be at the 2nd and 3rd standard deviation of intelligence and the team, consisting of parents, administrato, gifted personnel, and the student, must agree that a student's needs would be better met by whole grade acceleration.
Discontinuance of Student Participation
Parents may request discontinuance from participation in the gifted program at any time they believe the gifted program has met the needs of their child. The placement team will meet at the request of the parents for the discontinuance of services.Students receiving services through the gifted program or who have a personal education plan will have their programs evaluated annually by the classroom teacher, gifted personnel, and parents. These reviews ensure that the student's needs continue to be met in the regular classroom setting as well as the GATE classroom. Beginning in the 6th grade and again at 8th grade an annual PEP meeting will be held to help with coursework planning.
All certified staff will receive annual inservice on the gifted program as requested by the building principal. This inservice will include information on content, policies and procedures of the program. Other services may be coordinated to help teachers learn about gifted education.
Parents and guardians, on behalf of their child, may appeal decisions regarding identification, participation or program options in the following manner. The parent may make a written appeal to the building level principal to seek resolution of a perceived inappropriate decision. The principal must respond within ten calendar days. The appeal may be continued to the superintendent and a reply must be rendered within ten calendar days. If a satisfactory resolution is not received, the parent may request a three member mediation committee, composed of one member selected by the parent or guardian, one member selected by the school, and one member selected jointly by the parent and the school to respond to the appeal within 20 calendar days. The final appeal may be made to the Board of Education who must respond to the parent or guardian seeking recourse within 30 calendar days.
- 11/21/88
- 10/8/91 revised
- 10/20/94 revised
- 7/21/97 revised
- 6/30/99 revised
- 8/18/06 revised
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