Our district policy states that gifted students should not be penalized for participation in GATE classes and activities.  On the days that students are involved in the GATE program, every effort should be made by the regular classroom teachers and administrators to:

*avoid presenting new concepts

*post assignments presented in order for students to be aware of the content covered

*schedule tests around GATE time or exempt students from tests missed while at GATE

*schedule school wide events around GATE time

*exempt students from daily practice and drill work missed while at GATE

Usually, "homework" is used primarily as reinforcement or a means to complete unfinished assignments.  Students who are involved in special programs should not be required to make up assignments missed while attending gifted classes.  If a student is having difficulty in a subject, the teacher should notify the parent and the special program teacher.  It is expected that routine homework assigned by home school teachers be no more for GATE students than for other students.  Assignments missed while at GATE should not be assigned as homework in addition to or in place of regular homework assignments.  Homework should not be a requirement for GATE attendance.

1.  Teachers, parents, or students themselves may make a referral for testing.  The counselor or principal AND the person making the referral must sign the referral request.

2.  The referral needs to contain student's grade placement, date of birth, and any current testing results such as standardized tests.  Any other observed relevant information regarding the student's skill levels is helpful.  Our district has set a cut-off of 88% in any area on standardized testing for automatic referral for testing, but that is not a pre-requisite for a referral.  If the student scored a 97%ile or more, they automatically qualify for placement by achievement. (Type 3) The district requests a referral for individual testing for any student who scores at the 97%ile or above on an achievement test.  This also applies to any student who moves into our district with a 97%ile Composite Score on a standardized IQ or achievement test.  However, please see step 5 and 7 for next action.

3.  Referral is signed by the parent and the original is then sent in inter-school mail to Belinda Rogers, Administration Building, to be entered in our testing schedule binder.

4.  Ms. Rogers then forwards those referrals to GATEway teachers to schedule testing in the individual schools.  Testers will contact the school counselors to determine if a testing site is available.

5.  Each referral (even if identified by achievement test) is still REQUIRED to be  tested using an individual test of intellectual ability to see if they will be identified for Type 1 (Intellectual) placement.  FYI:  the district receives different monies depending on Type of placement -Type 1 or 3.

6.  After the student is individually tested, the tester will notify the counselor of the results and leave a copy for for the student file.

7.  If student qualifies, a placement form will be sent home for a parent signature at this point.  Just like special education, every child needs a referral, test, and eligibility placement form in their confidential file.   NOTE:  The child doesn't automatically come to GATEway the next week.  The counselor should contact the GATEway teachers to determine the best starting date.

8.  If the child does not show eligibility, a letter stating that from the counselor will be sent home to the parent as soon as possible.

9.  When the parent permission form as been returned, a copy should be sent to Belinda Rogers to be put with the child's testing results.  These records are kept at the Administration Building for confidentiality.  The counselor should contact the GATEway teachers to set the date for the student to begin classes.