Meeting for Parents of Students Newly Identified as GATE

Prepared by April Stebbins-Dorman

GATE Office

http://www.sandi.net/GATE

Theme: Gifted children…

“…are like other children in most respects. They need acceptance, guidance, support, respect, love, protection, and the opportunity to grow…”

-Annemarie Roeper

A Parent’s Guide to Gifted Children

Purposes: To review what it means to be a student identified

as gifted and talented

To review why we have a GATE program

To discuss how students identified as GATE are

served by San Diego Unified School District and the

school site

To highlight opportunities for parent involvement

GATE is recognized in both State and Federal Law

Students who are identified as gifted and talented are “…children and youth who give evidence of high performance capability…who require services or activities not ordinarily provided by the school in order to fully develop such capabilities.”

Characteristics of Giftedness

There are as many lists of characteristics of children identified as gifted and talented.

These lists are often divide up into domains based on observable behavior.

Most individuals display some or all of these characteristics to varying degrees.

The following slides are from Characteristics of Giftedness based on research compiled by Dr. J. Renzulli. Reprinted from the Mensa Gifted Youth Handbook.

Learning Characteristics Has unusually advanced vocabulary for age or

grade level. Has quick mastery and recall of factual information. Wants to know what makes things or people tick. Usually sees more or gets more out of a story, film,

etc., than others. Reads a great deal on his or her own; usually

prefers adult-level books; does not avoid difficult materials.

Reasons things out for him- or herself.

Motivational Characteristics Becomes easily absorbed with and truly involved in certain

topics or problems. Is easily bored with routine tasks. Needs little external motivation to follow through in work that

initially excited him or her. Strives toward perfection; is self-critical; is not easily satisfied

with his or her own speed and products. Prefers to work independently; requires little direction from

teachers. Is interested in many "adult" problems such as religion,

politics, and race. Stubborn in his or her beliefs. Concerned with right and wrong, good and bad.

Creativity Characteristics Constantly asking questions about anything and everything. Often offers unusual, unique or clever responses. Is uninhibited in expressions of opinion. Is a high-risk taker; is adventurous and speculative. Is often concerned with adapting, improving and modifying

institutions, objects and systems. Displays a keen sense of humor. Shows emotional sensitivity. Is sensitive to beauty. Is nonconforming; accepts disorder; is not interested in

details; is individualistic; does not fear being different. Is unwilling to accept authoritarian pronouncements without

critical examination.

Leadership Characteristics

Carries responsibility well. Is self-confident with children his or her own age as

well as adults. Can express him- or herself well. Adapts readily to new situations. Is sociable and prefers not to be alone. Generally directs the activity in which he or she is

involved.

SDUSD GATE Program Design

Seminar 99.9 %ile Raven’s Progressive Matrices 50 school programs available Application required

Cluster 98 %ile on Raven’s Progressive Matrices 4 program models

GATE Program ModelsTraditional Cluster (Model A)

The traditional cluster model provides that 50-100 percent of the students are to be GATE identified, with any remaining openings to be filled with students who score in the upper 10 percent on either state standardized tests or on the Ravens (high ability) or other district-accepted intelligence test. This model takes the following forms: full day Cluster class in elementary; multiple period core class in 5th and 6th grade, middle school; class period in middle and high school course offerings.

Diversity Cluster (Model B)

The diversity cluster model provides that 25 percent or more of the students in a class are GATE identified with the remaining openings reflecting the diversity of the school.

GATE Program Models cont.Collaborative Cluster (Model C)

The collaborative cluster model provides for grade level and cross-grade level teaming in which smaller clusters of students are grouped and regrouped for at least one core subject per day, creating a cluster of 25 percent or more students identified as GATE in one classroom. The remaining openings are to be filled by students who would benefit from accelerated instruction and who reflect the diversity of the school population. This model is particularly useful for smaller schools.

 Individualized GATE Plan- IGP (Model D)

The IGP model is designed for schools with very small populations of students identified as GATE where grouping could be counterproductive. An IGP, Individualized GATE Accountability Plan, is created for each student identified as GATE and placed on file in both the site office and the GATE Office along with the GATE Site Program Summary.

Our School Site’s GATE Plan

Insert your site’s GATE Plan here.

Where to start when you have a question

At school: Your child’s Teacher GATE-DAC

Representative GATE Team Leader Administrator in

charge of GATE (at elementary site this will likely be your school principal)

Site School Psychologist

At Central office:

GATE Office (619) 725-7087 www.sandi.net/GATE

Parent Involvement at Home

“…there are strong indications that the most effective forms of parent involvement are thosewhich engage parents in working directly with their children on learning activities in the home.” -http://www.nwrel.org/scpd/sirs/3/cu6.html

Parent Involvement at the School and District Levels

You can help your child identified as gifted and talented by becoming knowledgeable.

Participate in parent/ teacher conferencesParticipate in GATE parent meetingsBecome involved in the GATE District Advisory Committee (DAC)Participate in your Site Governance CommitteeAttend School Board Meetings

Web Resources

www.sandi.net/GATE

www.cagifted.org

www.nagc.org

www.sengifted.org

www.byrdseed.com