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