FAQs Regarding the Gifted and Talented Program at Bracken
What is GATE?
Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) is a pull-out program where qualified students in grades 3-5 are offered 150 minutes per week of instruction beyond assigned grade levels. Students have the opportunity to develop their potential through curriculum that emphasizes complexity and higher-level thinking. Students scoring at or above 98th percentile on an individually administered ability test qualify for services. At Bracken, GATE students meet three times a week for 50 minutes each, totaling 150 minutes per week.
What is TAGS?
The Title I Alternative GATE Services (TAGS) Program provides a continuum of services and alternative programming options to identified students in grades 3-5 in Title I schools. Opportunities are provided for higher-level thinking, creativity, self-motivation and interaction with peers on challenging projects. At Bracken, TAGS meets once per week for 50 minutes.
What is the identification process?
Gifted and talented students are those identified through the use of multiple assessments and found to have outstanding abilities and talents. They exhibit high performance capabilities in general intellectual functioning and/or possess academic aptitude in a specific area.
Students may be referred at any time during the school year.
Interested parents or staff should consult with the GATE specialist (Mrs. White) or general education teacher to discuss the referral/identification process.
Steps in the referral process:
A referral form is completed
The student is individually administered tests of general intellectual ability (verbal and non-verbal)
Report card grades and both teacher and parent rating scales may be utilized in determining eligibility
Parents are notified of eligibility determination
What are the gifted programming goals?
To promote excellence in academic performance and achievement
To provide curriculum that enhances and extends concepts and allows students to move beyond traditional learning
To provide opportunities for gifted students to interact with others who have similar cognitive abilities
To provide support for administrators and general education teachers
To develop and promote high level thinking and problem solving skills
When can I expect a progress report?
Progress reports for both GATE and TAGS students go home in January and June with their classroom report cards. Please contact me at any time if you have questions or concerns about your child's progress. [email protected]