Gifted and Talented Education (GATE)

In order to conform to Moreno Valley Unified School District's Gifted and Talented Education Policy, students who demonstrate exceptional characteristics, academic performance, or talent are assessed and provided placement in the GATE program. In all of the following categories, identification of a student's extraordinary capability shall be in relation to the student's chronological peers.

1. Intellectual Ability

A student demonstrates extraordinary or potential for extraordinary intellectual development.

2. High Achievement

A student consistently produces advanced ideas and products and/or attains exceptionally high scores on achievement tests.

3. Specific Academic Achievement

A student functions at highly advanced academic levels in particular subject areas.

AREAS OF IDENTIFICATION AND PROCEDURES

INTELLECTUAL IDENTIFICATION

All District second graders have an opportunity to test for Intellectual identification when a parent signs and submits a “Permission to Test” form. The District’s GATE Test Proctor administers testing at individual school sites. Eligible students in grades other than second grade may be tested at this time.

1. Assessment - Students who are intellectually identified demonstrate superior performance on tests administered by the District’s GATE Test Proctor.

Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test – Second Edition (NNAT2)

• Non-verbal
• Score in the 95th percentile and above or a standard score of 125 or above
• Administered as a group test to all second graders whose parents sign a “Permission to Test” form

2. Referral

Any student in the Moreno Valley Unified School District may be referred for screening for testing by a teacher, a counselor, a parent, or through student self-referral.

Parent, teacher, or others complete a “GATE Referral” form, which includes:

• Scores on a standardized achievement test for the last two consecutive years.
• Report card grades of B or above or grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or above for the last two consecutive semesters or trimesters

High school students contact the school counselor or the GATE Department for self-referral.

HIGH ACHIEVEMENT

Students with “Advanced” scores in both language arts AND mathematics on the California Standards Test annually may be referred for academic placement. Scores are matched with grades for identification.

1. Assessment

Students who are identified for high academic achievement consistently produce advanced ideas and products and attain exceptionally high scores on achievement tests. Results of standardized tests administered by the District in two areas tested for two consecutive years are used for identification.

California Standards Test (CST or other standardized achievement test)

• Verbal and mathematical
• Areas tested: English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics
• Score at the “Advanced” level for two consecutive years in both ELA and mathematics

2. Report Cards

• Report card grades of B or above for the last two consecutive semesters or trimesters or
• A 3.0 grade point average (GPA) or above for the last two consecutive semesters or trimesters

SPECIFIC ACADEMIC ABILITY

Students with “Advanced” scores in language arts OR mathematics on the California Standards Test annually may be referred for, “Specific” academic placement. Scores are matched with grades for identification.

1. Assessment

Students who are identified for specific academic ability function at highly advanced academic levels in particular subject areas. Test results on standardized tests administered by the District in one of the areas tested for two consecutive years are used for identification.

California Standard Test (CST or other standardized achievement test)

• Verbal and mathematical
• Areas tested: ELA and Mathematics
• Score in the advanced level for two consecutive years in both language arts and mathematics

2. Report Cards

• Report card grades of B or above for the last two consecutive semesters or trimesters or
• A 3.0 grade point average (GPA) or above for the last two consecutive semesters or trimesters

INTELLECTUAL, HIGH ACHIEVEMENT AND SPECIFIC ACADEMIC ABILITY

1. Grades 3–5 Elementary students are served the regular classroom, cluster or special day classes.
2. Grades 6–8 Middle school students are served by a GATE team of teachers at each grade level.
3. Grades 9–12 Students at comprehensive high schools enroll in Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) classes.

TEACHERS

Teachers of GATE students provide instruction in the core content areas that is differentiated for depth and complexity. Instruction can also be accelerated or compacted to meet student needs.

NEW GATE PARENTS

Parents of students who passed tests or auditions must submit a signed Parent Permission to Place form to the GATE Department. The form is required by the California education code and authorizes the district to offer services to students. Parents are sent a Parent Packet through the mail. The packet includes a GATE Parent Handbook, brochure, and a calendar of department activities and meetings. These are available in Spanish.