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Programs & Services

>> Parent Program Booklet (Español aquí)

Cluster Program
The GATE Cluster Program provides GATE Cluster identified students at grades 3-12 with curricular options that modify depth, complexity, acceleration and novelty of the core curriculum. To meet the educational needs of their students, school sites use four district-approved models.

Cluster students score in the very superior range (98th percentile or above) on a district-approved, mental ability test administered by a GATE school psychologist or score in the 95-97th percentile range on a district-approved ability test with the application of factors. Factors include environmental, economic, language, emotional and health problems that may depress test scores or negatively influence academic achievement.

On August 9, 2005, the Board of Education had the first reading of the staff response to the Cluster Task Force report which was presented on May 24, 2005. Below please find the link for this report of the Staff Response to the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Cluster Advisory Task Force and Program Governance Team Recommendations:

http://www.sandi.net/board/reports/2005/0809/index.html

It is important to review the original report from the GATE Cluster Task Force and GATE Governance Team to the Board of Education in order to understand the implications of the response. The following is the link to this report:

http://www.sandi.net/board/reports/2005/0524/index.html

Seminar Program
The GATE Seminar Program serves GATE Seminar identified students in grades 3-12 who score three standard deviations above the mean or 99.9%ile on a district-approved, mental ability test. Factors, as mentioned above, may be applied to identify in the 99.6-99.8%ile range in accordance with School Board policies and procedures.

Modifications of depth, complexity, acceleration and novelty are applied to the core curriculum at levels commensurate with student ability. The Seminar Program is restricted to 20 students per classroom in a self-contained full day class at the elementary level and selected courses at the secondary level.

GATE Seminar Program Booklet
GATE Seminar Program Descriptions

NEWS ABOUT THE SEMINAR APPLICATION PROCESS

On August 7, 2007, the Board of Education voted to approve the recommendation of the Staff Reponse to Seminar Task Force Committee Recommendations, which states:

"By establishing a quality Seminar program in every cluster, school choice for Seminar students can be limited to Seminar schools within a student's cluster [feeder pattern]. The program application process can also be eliminated. When a student is identified as a Seminar student, he/she should immediately be offered admission into a program within the residential cluster without any additional criteria." Staff Response to Seminar Task Force Committee Recommendations, pg. 2 (http://www.sandi.net/board/reports/2007/0807/7b3.pdf ) Letters (English and Spanish versions) were mailed before the Winter Break to parents of all Seminar identified students, grades 3 through 11, outlining the options for placement and a chart of feeder patterns.

Starting in 2007/2008, there will be no Seminar application process nor Seminar priority through the Enrollment Options/CHOICE Office for Seminar students wishing to change to a different feeder pattern.

>>Seminar Identification Criteria

Questions? Comments? Please email us at:

giftedandtalentedGATE@sandi.net

Key Contacts

Marcia DiJiosia Interim GATE Program Manager/Senior Psychologist mdijiosia@sandi.net

Aline M. Hendricks GATE Program Secretary II ahendricks@sandi.net

Rhonda Zawadzki Program Specialist, Secondary/High School rzawadzki@sandi.net

Rick Leighton Program Specialist, Secondary/Middle or Junior High rleighton@sandi.net

Rolena Jones Program Specialist, Elementary rjones4@sandi.net

GATE Psychologist School Assignments