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Gifted and Talented Education
Procedures

Referral and Selection
The Arizona state mandate for gifted education defines a "gifted child" as a child who, due to superior intellect or advanced learning ability, is not afforded an opportunity for otherwise attainable progress and development in regular classroom instruction and who needs special instruction or special ancillary services to achieve at levels commensurate with his/her intellect and ability.

Referrals for evaluation for gifted education programs may originate from any source. The GATE office disseminates information to all schools regarding procedures for referrals and testing of students. All students referred for evaluation must have a Permission to Evaluate form signed by the parent or guardian on file in the GATE office prior to evaluation.

For more information, see Eligibility Criteria.

Testing
Students in kindergarten through eighth grade participate in group administered testing and should be referred prior to mid-November as testing for these students takes place in all elementary and middle schools in January and February. Students who participate in the group administered testing in January and February will be considered for placement for the following school year. Testing offered by the district is free of charge to parents or guardians. Parents should contact their neighborhood school or the GATE office to determine exact testing dates.

In general, students selected to participate in the full-time programs demonstrate the capability to perform academically at or above the 97th percentile as measured by state approved standardized tests. Part-time programs are more inclusive and accommodate a broader range of student abilities. 

Registration and Enrollment
The GATE office determines assignment of all students placed in the full-time and GATE/PLUS program. However, schools housing full-time GATE programs coordinate registration and enrollment. A geographic feeder pattern is used to assign students to self-contained GATE school sites. Students identified for part-time programs enroll in their home school, and then are added to the GATE class list after the start of the school year. High school students are assigned to GATE classes as part of the registration process. High school counselors should be consulted for participation in GATE classes.

It is important to note that admission to elementary self-contained GATE classes does not guarantee admission to middle school self-contained GATE classes, and admission to middle school GATE classes does not guarantee admission to University High School or other high school GATE classes. Participation in the part-time GATE program does not guarantee placement in the full-time program.