La Canada La Canada Unified School Unified School

DistrictDistrict

GATEGATEGifted and Talented EducationGifted and Talented Education

What is GATE?What is GATE?

The program provides challenging curriculum The program provides challenging curriculum and instruction to gifted and talented students in and instruction to gifted and talented students in California capable of achieving significantly California capable of achieving significantly beyond the level of their peers.beyond the level of their peers.

LCUSD operates a school-based, coordinated LCUSD operates a school-based, coordinated program at its three elementary sites and its 7-program at its three elementary sites and its 7-12 campus. All students may qualify in various 12 campus. All students may qualify in various ways throughout their school years.ways throughout their school years.

How Do Students Qualify?How Do Students Qualify?One way is with OLSATOne way is with OLSAT

All third grade students whose parents grant All third grade students whose parents grant permission are tested in the spring using the permission are tested in the spring using the Otis-Lennon School Abilities Test. (OLSAT).Otis-Lennon School Abilities Test. (OLSAT).

The OLSAT is also administered to all new The OLSAT is also administered to all new students who enter the district in grades 4-8.students who enter the district in grades 4-8.

Previously tested students may be retested after Previously tested students may be retested after two years.two years.

What is the OLSAT?What is the OLSAT?

OLSAT (Otis –Lennon Abilities Test) OLSAT (Otis –Lennon Abilities Test) contains about 70 questions in a contains about 70 questions in a multiple choice formatmultiple choice format

It assesses students’ reasoning It assesses students’ reasoning abilities, not achievement or retention of abilities, not achievement or retention of factsfacts

OLSAT CONTENTOLSAT CONTENT

Verbal ComprehensionVerbal Comprehension

The ability to The ability to perceive relational perceive relational aspects of words, aspects of words, understand subtle understand subtle differences…differences…

EX: antonyms, EX: antonyms, sentence sentence arrangementarrangement

Verbal ReasoningVerbal Reasoning The ability to apply The ability to apply

inferences to new inferences to new situations, evaluate situations, evaluate conditions in order to conditions in order to determine necessary determine necessary versus optional…versus optional…

EX: arithmetic reasoning, EX: arithmetic reasoning, logical selectionlogical selection

Figural ReasoningFigural Reasoning Assesses the ability Assesses the ability

to use geometric to use geometric figures to infer figures to infer relationships, relationships, perceive perceive progressions, and progressions, and predict next steps…predict next steps…

EX: figural analogies, EX: figural analogies, pattern matrices, pattern matrices, figural seriesfigural series

Quantitative Quantitative ReasoningReasoning

Assesses the ability Assesses the ability to use numbers in to use numbers in order to infer order to infer relationships, deduce relationships, deduce computational rules, computational rules, and predict and predict outcomes…outcomes…

EX: number series, EX: number series, numeric inferencesnumeric inferences

What Qualifies?What Qualifies?

In LCUSD, a student qualifies if he or In LCUSD, a student qualifies if he or she is at the she is at the 98 percentile98 percentile in total in total verbal and non-verbal categories.verbal and non-verbal categories.

NOTE: The requirements for GATE vary from NOTE: The requirements for GATE vary from district to district. Therefore, a student district to district. Therefore, a student who qualified in another district must be who qualified in another district must be re-evaluated to participate in GATE in La re-evaluated to participate in GATE in La Canada. Canada.

Is There Another Way to Is There Another Way to Qualify?Qualify?

Yes. A student may qualify if he or she…Yes. A student may qualify if he or she…

Scores 450 or above on both ELA and MATH in the Scores 450 or above on both ELA and MATH in the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) andStandardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) and

Scores a 5 or 6 on the Spring District Writing Scores a 5 or 6 on the Spring District Writing Assessment andAssessment and

Scores 95% or above on the Spring District Math Scores 95% or above on the Spring District Math AssessmentAssessment

GATE Characteristics

Curious, good memory Masters content quickly Is self-motivated Uses Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) Finishes work quickly Good sense of humor Thinks independently Strong sense of justice

Another ViewCommon CharacteristicsCurious, good memory

Masters content quickly

Is self-motivated

Uses HOTS

Finishes work quickly

Good sense of humor

Thinks independently

Strong sense of justice

Potential CHALLENGESImpatient

Easily bored, perfectionist

Doesn’t work well in groups

Forgets practical details

Work may be sloppy

Can be the class clown

Challenges authority

Critical of self & others

How Is School Different for a How Is School Different for a GATE Student?GATE Student?

In some ways, it is not different. That’s because the In some ways, it is not different. That’s because the foundation of California’s GATE program is differentiated foundation of California’s GATE program is differentiated instruction.instruction.

In LCUSD In LCUSD all teachers have been extensively trained in all teachers have been extensively trained in differentiationdifferentiation. Variable and flexible student groupings are . Variable and flexible student groupings are used. Curriculum pacing is examined and higher-order used. Curriculum pacing is examined and higher-order thinking skills are evident. GATE and other students are thinking skills are evident. GATE and other students are also given the opportunity to learn based on multiple also given the opportunity to learn based on multiple intelligences. intelligences.

What are other GATE What are other GATE components?components?

Weekly Pull-out Program, grades 4-6Weekly Pull-out Program, grades 4-6 GATE After School Program, grades 4-8GATE After School Program, grades 4-8 Accelerated Curriculum, grades 7-12Accelerated Curriculum, grades 7-12

Weekly Pull-Out ProgramWeekly Pull-Out ProgramGrades 4-6Grades 4-6

For 45 minutes each week For 45 minutes each week from mid-October until from mid-October until May, Julie Roberts, the May, Julie Roberts, the district GATE instructor, district GATE instructor, conducts enrichment conducts enrichment lessons. Mrs. Roberts is a lessons. Mrs. Roberts is a La Canada resident, La Canada resident, parent and experienced parent and experienced teacher. teacher.

The Pull-out Program is The Pull-out Program is scheduled during non-scheduled during non-academic times of the academic times of the school day.school day.

What Makes These Classes What Makes These Classes Unique?Unique?

GATE students are given opportunities to GATE students are given opportunities to enlarge their intellectual and academic enlarge their intellectual and academic horizons, stimulate curiosity, and build on horizons, stimulate curiosity, and build on the fundamentals of citizenship and the fundamentals of citizenship and community. community.

Examples?Examples? Fourth gradersFourth graders have sessions in have sessions in

mysteries, archaeology, brainy mysteries, archaeology, brainy biology and morebiology and more

Fifth gradersFifth graders have sessions in have sessions in eggsperiments, optical illusions, eggsperiments, optical illusions, criminal justice and morecriminal justice and more

Sixth gradersSixth graders have sessions in have sessions in investing, chemistry---and more!investing, chemistry---and more!

All students also examine All students also examine personal/social aspects of being personal/social aspects of being gifted gifted

GATE After School GATE After School Enrichment ProgramsEnrichment ProgramsWho May Participate?Who May Participate? All fourth grade GATE studentsAll fourth grade GATE students

All fifth through eighth grade students who All fifth through eighth grade students who apply either on-line or by the paper apply either on-line or by the paper application packet. application packet.

Elementary Elementary GATE After School GATE After School

Enrichment ProgramEnrichment ProgramUndoubtedly the most known LCUSD Undoubtedly the most known LCUSD

program for GATE students program for GATE students Offered from February to MayOffered from February to May Topics run from four to six weeksTopics run from four to six weeks

Topics Offered 2010-2011, Topics Offered 2010-2011, Grades 4-6 Grades 4-6

(most through the generosity of our community)(most through the generosity of our community)

Wildlife BiologyWildlife Biology Word PlayWord Play Practical ChinesePractical Chinese Kobe or LeBron?Kobe or LeBron? JugglingJuggling MagicMagic Printmaking ArtPrintmaking Art The “Pitch”The “Pitch”

Website Blast Off!Website Blast Off! Creating Small WorldsCreating Small Worlds Crime Scene InvestigationCrime Scene Investigation Mad ScientistMad Scientist Human Figure DrawingHuman Figure Drawing Banking on Your FutureBanking on Your Future The Actors’ WorkoutThe Actors’ Workout Hospital HappeningsHospital Happenings

7/8 GATE 7/8 GATE After School Enrichment ProgramAfter School Enrichment Program

Offered in October Offered in October and Novemberand November

Topics run four to Topics run four to six weekssix weeks

Junior Culinary Arts Junior Culinary Arts Real World War IIReal World War II The Actors’ WorkoutThe Actors’ Workout Neuroscience ApplicationsNeuroscience Applications Dabble in FrenchDabble in French Exploring the 3Exploring the 3rdrd Dimension Dimension Navigating Your Passion through Navigating Your Passion through

PhotographyPhotography Practical ChinesePractical Chinese Introduction to Interior DesignIntroduction to Interior Design Conception to CompletionConception to Completion Weapons of the Civil WarWeapons of the Civil War Art for Your FrameArt for Your Frame

Advantages of GASEP?Advantages of GASEP?

Students learn about Students learn about interesting, real world topics interesting, real world topics that are beyond the general that are beyond the general curriculum.curriculum.

Students recognize and Students recognize and appreciate the creative appreciate the creative professionals who share their professionals who share their expertise. expertise.

Students often produce Students often produce products they get to keep.products they get to keep.

7/8 Developmental Stages

(Pre-teens and new teens march to a different drummer)

Social relationships paramountSocial relationships paramount ““Fitting in” is a priorityFitting in” is a priority Prefer to “hang-out” rather than attend planned Prefer to “hang-out” rather than attend planned

activitiesactivities Academic pursuits and/or achievement may be Academic pursuits and/or achievement may be

less valuedless valued Extra-curricular activities increaseExtra-curricular activities increase

You too can volunteer!You too can volunteer!

Calling all moms, dads, friends, colleagues, Calling all moms, dads, friends, colleagues, neighbors and grandparents!neighbors and grandparents!

Share your knowledge and expertise Share your knowledge and expertise

with our brightest students!with our brightest students!

Contact: Lindi Dreibelbis ArthurContact: Lindi Dreibelbis Arthur

LCUSD Director of GATELCUSD Director of GATE

ldarthur@lcusd.net

818 952-8391818 952-8391

Accelerated Curriculum 7/8Accelerated Curriculum 7/8

Accelerated Curriculum Accelerated Curriculum

for Qualifying Studentsfor Qualifying Students

Algebra I, Geometry and BeyondAlgebra I, Geometry and BeyondModern LanguagesModern Languages

What Happens in What Happens in 99thth – 12 – 12thth grades? grades?

In 9-12 grades, in addition to In 9-12 grades, in addition to differentiation, counselors guide students differentiation, counselors guide students to take the most rigorous classes. Honors to take the most rigorous classes. Honors

and Advanced Placement classes are and Advanced Placement classes are offered in English, math, science, social offered in English, math, science, social

science, computer science and science, computer science and instrumental music.instrumental music.

What Propels Our GATE What Propels Our GATE Program?Program?

As a strong proponent of differentiation As a strong proponent of differentiation instruction, LCUSD strives to infuse instruction, LCUSD strives to infuse

enrichment, extension of experience, rigor, enrichment, extension of experience, rigor, higher-order thinking skills, excitement higher-order thinking skills, excitement

and opportunity for acceleration into the and opportunity for acceleration into the intricate fabric of the entire educational intricate fabric of the entire educational

experience for gifted students. experience for gifted students.

No Two Ways about It – Our No Two Ways about It – Our GATE Is GREAT!GATE Is GREAT!

www.lcusd.net/GATEwww.lcusd.net/GATE

School Site GATE CoordinatorsSchool Site GATE Coordinators

La Cañada ElementaryLa Cañada ElementaryNancy DeBoer Nancy DeBoer ndeboer@lcusd.net818 952-8356818 952-8356

Palm Crest ElementaryPalm Crest ElementaryRachel ZooiRachel Zooirzooi@lcusd.net818 952-8366818 952-8366

Paradise Canyon Paradise Canyon ElementaryElementary

Susan KannerSusan Kannerskanner@lcusd.net818 952-8345818 952-8345

LCHS, Grade 7LCHS, Grade 7Shannon BrasciaShannon Brasciasbrascia@lcusd.net818 952-4222818 952-4222

LCHS, Grade 8LCHS, Grade 8Allison DalbeckAllison Dalbeckadalbeck@lcusd.net818 952-4267818 952-4267

LCHS, Grades 9-12LCHS, Grades 9-12Aaron DoverAaron Doveradover@lcusd.net818 952-4266818 952-4266