Sierra Plumas Joint Unified School District Gifted and Talented Education Prepared by Mary Nourse GATE Coordinator 12/4/2008

What is GATE? n State funded program of unique educational opportunities for gifted or talented students n Serves high-achieving and under- achieving identified students

Where do we go from here? n Schedule events listed on plan. n Schedule in-service for staff/parents at earliest possible time. n Solicit volunteers to provide classroom enrichment activities, run book group and math club n Continue to support teachers and students

How does a student qualify for GATE in SPJUSD? n Multiple criteria are used: * Raven’s test score * Raven’s test score * Math and language arts scores * Parent and teacher nominations * Extraordinary talents * Special circumstances e.g. health issues n Qualification lasts student’s entire school career

What are the key roles? n Identified students-may participate; not required n Non-identified students may participate-space available n GATE Administrator (Penny Berry)- oversees all aspects of program n GATE Coordinator (Mary Nourse)- runs identification process, maintains data, designs, coordinates, and evaluates program

n Principals-implement program at school site, support students and staff members, involve parents and community n Teachers-refer students for identification, differentiate curriculum, provide independent study or flexible grouping, participate in professional development n Parents-attend advisory council and parent meetings, participate in professional development, assist in activities n GATE Advisory Committee-provides input on all phases of program, from identification to evaluation

Who serves on the advisory committee? n GATE Administrator n Coordinator n Site principal n Parents n Regular education teacher n Resource teacher n Community member n Everyone, especially students,welcome to attend

What elements should be included in a GATE program? n Differentiated learning opportunities n Alternative learning environments n Elements to help develop responsibility n Commitment to constructive ethical standards n Opportunities to expand problem-solving abilities n Support for realistic, healthy self-concepts For more detailed information refer to the Gifted and Talented Resource Guide on the California Department of Education web site. For more detailed information refer to the Gifted and Talented Resource Guide on the California Department of Education web site.

What is the current status of GATE in SPJUSD? n GATE Advisory Committee assisted with setting criteria for identification and program design. n GATE Coordinator completed identification and notification for school year. n GATE families, teachers, and administrators gathered to socialize and to brainstorm program ideas.

n Coordinator and student administered survey to determine student s’ interests. n Advisory committee brainstormed resources to augment program. n Parent volunteer and coordinator synthesized ideas and drafted structure for 2-year plan. See handout-”GATE Program Planning Grid”.

n Coordinator attended training for development and administration of GATE program; differentiation of curriculum n Coordinator is networking with : *Sierra County Historical Society *Sierra County Arts Council *Western Sierra Medical Clinic *The Sierra Booster *Nevada and Plumas County Schools *California Association for the Gifted

n Coordinator has begun in-school enrichment classes: *Taught Mexican sugar skull making for LHS Spanish 4 *Planning lesson on Spanish- American War using primary sources for any history class

What are our SPJUSD GATE demographics? n Fifteen students already had qualified for the program n We tested 114 students-all second graders + other nominated students n Including the original fifteen,59 students are now qualified district-wide