Cambrian Union School District
GATE Update January 2011
Background Information
• 10% or less of K-8 population• 421 GATE students in Cambrian• Not state mandated• Districts choose to be involved
• Application process• Categorical funding• Categorical Block Grant
· 2001—AB 2313· Updated and strengthened criteria and process
for GATE applications· GATE programs must be
· Planned and organized as an integrated differentiated learning experience within the regular school day
· May be augmented with other differentiated activities related to the core curriculum.
· Application must demonstrate clear commitment to staff development
· Parent involvement is important part of local program
State Regulations
Qualities of Excellent Program
• Differentiated curriculum• Flexible grouping• Clustering students within classes• Multiple identification criteria• Strong staff development programs for
teachers• Parent education
What is not recommended(not supported by research)
• Pull-out instruction that is unrelated to state standards or content being covered in the classroom
• After school/lunchtime programs which could exclude some students
• One-time presentations/field trips.
GATE Vision in Cambrian
• Differentiation of instruction as an integral part of each school day, along with challenging opportunities for GATE students to work together to extend their learning
• Services designed to meet student needs and encourage intellectual, social and emotional development
• GATE services shared responsibility of a partnership of teachers, administrators, parents, and students
Overview Cambrian GATE Services
• Include eligible 3rd-8th grade students• Differentiate standards based core
curriculum as well as on students’ needs and abilities
• Emphasize critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Foster independent, life-long learners
GATE in Cambrian• History
– Services primarily focused on after school enrichment programs
– Site GATE coordinators organize programs and help with ID process
– GATE Advisory Committee (GAC) grew out of District Advisory Committee (DAC)
– Some teachers trained in differentiation– A few teachers GATE certified
GATE in CambrianChanges:• Moving from only after school programs to
in class differentiation• RtI/ExCel cluster grouping
• Junior Great Books
• Revision of ID process and timeline• GATE Advisory Committee becomes District
GATE Council• Parent and Teacher representatives
• GATE parent information meeting
Next Steps• Professional Development
– Teacher• Characteristics of gifted• Social and emotional needs of gifted• High quality differentiation• Curriculum materials
– Principals• High quality differentiation• GATE plan• Observation tools• ID process
Next Steps• District GATE Council
– Teacher and parent representative for each site– Principal representative
• Parent Involvement/Education– Council– Parent Education Nights
• Three this year• In conjunction with Union, Campbell, and Moreland
School Districts
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