Gifted and Talented Education

Gifted and Talented Education

All students in 3rd grade are given the opportunity to participate in a universal screening and identification assessment for GATE. The assessment of natural cognitive abilities is called the OLSAT (Otis-Lennon School Ability Test) 8 and is a test of abstract thinking and reasoning ability.  It measures verbal, quantitative, and spatial reasoning ability.  It yields verbal and nonverbal scores from which total score is derived called a School Ability Index (SAI).  Students need to meet the 95th percentile ranking on the assessment to be offered enrollment into GATE.  There are no exceptions to this identification criteria.

The assessment is only administered during the testing window, which is typically open in the Fall.  Any students who miss this assessment window will be tested when the testing window opens again the next Fall.

The primary purpose of the Wiseburn Unified School District Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program is to provide learning experiences which will meet the special needs of gifted and talented students, enhance and enrich their educational experience, and will encourage them to make the most of their exceptional potential.  Program goals include: development of intellectual and problem solving skills, leadership skills, healthy self concept, creativity and career awareness.

No, you can always opt your child out of the screening process.

It is the responsibility of the parent to alert the district upon enrollment by answering the enrollment questions about GATE testing.  The district needs to know the name of the previous school and the grade in which your child was screened to determine if they qualify for our GATE program.

It is the responsibility of the parent to alert the district upon enrollment by answering the enrollment questions about GATE testing to indicate that your child was already selected for GATE.  The District will reach out to previous school to receive records.  If verification cannot be finalized then we can look into accepting your child into our GATE program on an interim basis until the next testing window opens.

It is the responsibility of the parent to alert the district upon enrollment that your child was never screened. IF, you would like your child to be screened by WUSD, verification from the previous district that a screener was not already conducted, will be requested.  If it is determined that a student was not previously screened, assessments will only be given during the testing window that occurs after your child’s enrollment into the WUSD.  For example, if your child enrolls in Spring of their 4th grade school year, they may be tested in the Fall of their 5th grade year.

The majority of the program happens in the classroom through differentiated instruction.  Teachers apply key principals and instructional strategies of differentiation to the core curriculum through depth and complexity, while developing curricula aligned with Common Core State Standards.  Students accepted into GATE will also have an opportunity to engage in an enrichment program each school year.  The program is typically offered once a week after school for a window of time and can vary in subject matter (i.e. science, math, performing arts, etc.).

3rd-8th grades

No, students are only eligible to be tested during the testing window within their 3rd grade school year.

No, your child only needs to be tested once and achieve a score in the 95th percentile to qualify.

Yes.  However, due to the nature of the screening, accommodations and modifications cannot be made.

No

No, it is important to note that while GATE participation is one of the criteria that could potentially identify secondary students in honors courses, it is not the only or most important criteria.  Participation in GATE does not automatically guarantee that secondary students will be identified for honors/AP courses (as applicable), and students not participating in GATE may still participate in honors/AP courses as available.  Da Vinci’s honors are open to all students regardless of GATE status.