Courses offered at Wangenheim in both GATE seminar and cluster

GATE Seminar courses offered at Wangenheim:

6th Grade Humanities CORE

7th Grade English
7th Grade History

8th Grade English
8th Grade History

GATE Cluster courses offered at Wangenheim:

6th Grade Humanities CORE
6th Grade Math 6
6th Grade Pre-Algebra

7th Grade English
7th Grade History
7th Grade Pre-Algebra
7th Grade Algebra
7th Grade Science

8th Grade English
8th Grade History
8th Grade Algebra
8th Grade Geometry
8th Grade Advanced Science

 
Wangenheim Team

GATE Team Leader: Dianna Vanderhurst
Seminar Program Director: Meg Reilly
GATE Administrator: Robert Gallardo
District GATE Psychologist: Julie Venditti
DAC Parent Representative: Deena Takato

 
DAC (District Advisory Council)

The GATE DAC was instituted in 1972 following the lead of other education departments. It is currently under the leadership of Lee Gordon. The goals and objectives of the DAC are:
* To advise central office on gifted program development, planning and implementation as required by state law;
* To act as regional liaison to school sites for development of gifted programs;
* To act as resources persons for district-wide parent meetings;
* To channel community questions concerning district-wide programs for follow-up and action;
* To set up group DAC priorities for program review, discussion and explanation during monthly meetings;
* To review district program objectives, activities, budget timelines and annual evaluation.

If you have any questions or concerns for the DAC, please contact the GATE office at (858) 573-5998 or ahendricks@mail.sandi.net . If you are interested in volunteering as a parent representative, please speak with Wangehheim GATE team leader, Dianna Vanderhurst, for dates, times and locations. Sites are limited to one GATE DAC representative per year. Wangenheim already has a DAC representative for 2004-2005 but we are still looking for an alternate.

 
Program History

In 1971, the State of California mandated funds to develop programs devoted to addressing the needs of those students who demonstrate intellectual capacity to place them in the top 2% of all students. From this beginning, the GATE program was developed and used throughout the State of California. Through differentiating the core curriculum (content, process, product and environment), gifted learners are challenged and encouraged to learn commensurate with their abilities.

!n 1948-49, San Diego City Schools began researching the educational problems of its bright students. One important reason for the start of this program was the fact that when the newly identified students were studied, it was found that only half were doing as well in their classes as pupils with average ability and approximately half had social adjustment problems of some severity.

In 1952, formal planning began for a program to meet the needs of academically gifted students with special offerings developed and adopted as a permanent part of the curriculum. Out of these humble efforts, after going through many incarnations, the current GATE program, with its Cluster and Seminar components, has emerged.

 
Testing Process

As determined by San Diego City Schools Board of Education Policy, every public school student enrolled within San Diego City Schools has the opportunity to take the GATE test in 2nd grade. Once a testing date has been determined between the site staff and the designated GATE psychologist, a packet of informational materials and forms is sent home to the parents by the school. At the same time, a set of forms is given to each 2nd grade teacher for input on the students in that class. These completed forms are to be returned to the contact person at each site prior to the actual test date, and upon compilation of the information, a list of students is given to the psychologist. If, due to illness or other circumstances, a scheduled student is unable to take the test that day, the school and psychologist should be notified immediately so the student's name may be placed on the list for the later testing at the school site. Those 4th/5th or 7th graders wishing to do a retest (please see retest requirements) or students new to the district are also eligible for testing at this time.

 
Programs Offered

Cluster: Wangenheim offers GATE cluster classes at all grade levels. Students who are certified GATE cluster by the district will be placed in these classes. High achievers who are not GATE certified may also be placed in a cluster class.

Seminar: Wangenheim offers GATE seminar classes at all grade levels for students who are very highly gifted. These students have scored at or above the 99.9th percentile on the Raven Progressive Matrices test. Sometimes a cluster certified student who is recommended by his or her teacher may be placed in seminar. Seminar classes are limited to 20 students per class.

 
GATE Newsletter Archives

GATE Newsletter 2006-2007
GATE Newsletter 2005-2006
GATE Newsletter 2004-2005

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