After CDC and TUSD guidelines allow students to return to their schools, the GATE department we will be testing TUSD students K through 6th grade to determine student eligibility to receive gifted services in the TUSD GATE program for school year 2021-22. GATE Itinerant teachers will follow up with their assigned sites to provide dates and more information about testing.

Invitations to Test forms will be mailed out to all non-previously self-contained qualified students in grades K, 2, 3, 4, and 6th late September. Parents/guardians must return their Invitation to Test form back by the deadline stated on the form so we know who is going to be testing. This year, more than previous year, it is very important to be on time due to CDC guidelines, testing space and special accommodations.

Opt-Out forms will be emailed to all non-previously self-contained qualified 1st and 5th students parent’s email addresses. NO response is required for the Opt-Out forms unless parents/guardians are opting out of the test. We must also receive the request not to test the student by the deadline on the form.

Testing will be administered at every elementary and middle school. At least two additional make-up tests will also be administered after GATE testing is completed at all K-5, K-8 and middle schools.

Tucson Unified administers the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) and Raven Progressive Matrices to determine GATE service eligibility. Tests are administered at all district elementary and middle schools with at least two additional Saturday make-up tests at a central location.

Invitations to Test for grades K, 2, 3, 4, and 6 will be mailed out to all TUSD student families' mail addresses with students in those grades and Opt-Out forms will be emailed out to all students in grades 1and 5 TUSD student parent email address. Parents must return the Invitations to Test or Opt-Out forms, as stated on the form, or notify the GATE department by emailing GATEdept@tusd1.org to have their student tested or not by the deadline stated on the form.

These tests establish eligibility for Gifted and Talented Education services for the coming school year. This year dates are still tentative due to the COVID-19 CDC guidelines.