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Gifted and Talented Education
Eligibility

All GATE test results are compiled and rank-ordered by the central GATE Office. The Placement Team reviews all test results. The Placement Team consists of the program Director, Program Coordinators, Bilingual Recruitment Specialists, and teachers in the GATE program. The Placement Team is responsible for reviewing all test information including teacher checklists submitted with kindergarten referrals.

Students who score at the 97th percentile or above in any one of three areas--verbal, non-verbal, or quantitative reasoning--on any test from the State Board approved list will be considered eligible to receive services. The Placement Team may consider students who score below the 97th percentile eligible for services pending a review. All placements in self-contained GATE classes and the elementary GATE/PLUS program are approved and monitored by the GATE Office. Placements in self-contained classes in grades 2 through 8 are very limited, occurring as the result of student attrition.

Self-Contained Classes

Elementary GATE/PLUS Program
The following eligibility criteria are used to identify students to participate in the part-time elementary GATE/PLUS program.

1. Students with a 97th percentile score in verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, or non-verbal reasoning on a state-approved test for gifted education are automatically qualified to receive services.
2. Students with a 97th percentile score on the Raven Test of Progressive Matrices are automatically qualified to receive services.
3. Students with scores below the 97th percentile on state approved tests for gifted education will be considered for services on a rank-order basis, pending space available within each school site.

Placement Process for Middle School GATE Resource
Middle schools are responsible for enrolling students in GATE resource classes. The central GATE Office does not place or register students for middle school GATE resource classes. Site administrators, teachers, and counselors are responsible for ensuring equal access for students. 

Each spring the GATE Office sends the names of students who scored a 97th percentile on the GATE test to neighborhood middle schools. These students are eligible for services and should be offered a GATE resource class.

Each spring the GATE Office sends the names of all 5th grade students participating in the GATE/PLUS program to neighborhood middle schools for enrollment in a resource GATE class. 

Placement Process for the High School GATE Block Program
High schools are responsible for enrolling students in GATE block classes for 9th and 10th grade. The central GATE Office does not place or register students for the high school GATE block program. It is recommended that high school personnel coordinate with their feeder pattern middle schools to recruit potential students for enrollment in the GATE block program. Site administrators, teachers, and counselors are responsible for ensuring equal access for students. 

Each spring the GATE Office sends the names of all self-contained 8th grade GATE students to neighborhood high schools for fall enrollment. These students are excellent candidates for participation in the GATE block program. Each spring the GATE Office sends the names of all 8th grade GATE resource students to neighborhood high schools for fall enrollment. These students may also be excellent candidates for participation in the GATE block program.

In addition to the student lists generated by the GATE Office, high schools may use other indicators to identify potential candidates including Stanford 9 or Aprenda scores, GPA, teacher recommendations, or other indicators of potential giftedness.