In San Diego Unified schools, currently there are two types of GATE programs offered; GATE seminar and GATE cluster. Some schools offer a seminar setting, where the students are in a separate classroom. A cluster setting is where a certain percentage of a traditional classroom is filled with GATE students. These students are given opportunities to work with each other on certain differentiated activities. These might include small groups, access to more advanced curriculum,and the opportunity to go through the normal curriculum at a faster pace. GATE students are selected using an assessment called the “Raven” test. This test is similar to an IQ test, in that it is mostly comprised of puzzles. This test is given to students in second grade. You have to score higher on the Raven to qualify for a Seminar setting. There are advantages and disadvantages to either setting, depending on the quality of the program and the specific teaching of the classroom. A good cluster classroom should be offering different opportunities to those GATE students, while still allowing them to interact with non GATE students. GATE funding has been on the budget chopping block the last couple of years, so it is unclear what the future of GATE education will be, as least in San Diego Unified.

In San Diego Unified schools, currently there are two types of GATE programs offered; GATE seminar and GATE cluster. Some schools offer a seminar setting, where the students are in a separate classroom. A cluster setting is where a certain percentage of a traditional classroom is filled with GATE students. These students are given opportunities to work with each other on certain differentiated activities. These might include small groups, access to more advanced curriculum,and the opportunity to go through the normal curriculum at a faster pace. GATE students are selected using an assessment called the “Raven” test. This test is similar to an IQ test, in that it is mostly comprised of puzzles. This test is given to students in second grade. You have to score higher on the Raven to qualify for a Seminar setting. There are advantages and disadvantages to either setting, depending on the quality of the program and the specific teaching of the classroom. A good cluster classroom should be offering different opportunities to those GATE students, while still allowing them to interact with non GATE students. GATE funding has been on the budget chopping block the last couple of years, so it is unclear what the future of GATE education will be, as least in San Diego Unified.

In San Diego Unified schools, currently there are two types of GATE programs offered; GATE seminar and GATE cluster. Some schools offer a seminar setting, where the students are in a separate classroom. A cluster setting is where a certain percentage of a traditional classroom is filled with GATE students. These students are given opportunities to work with each other on certain differentiated activities. These might include small groups, access to more advanced curriculum,and the opportunity to go through the normal curriculum at a faster pace. GATE students are selected using an assessment called the “Raven” test. This test is similar to an IQ test, in that it is mostly comprised of puzzles. This test is given to students in second grade. You have to score higher on the Raven to qualify for a Seminar setting. There are advantages and disadvantages to either setting, depending on the quality of the program and the specific teaching of the classroom. A good cluster classroom should be offering different opportunities to those GATE students, while still allowing them to interact with non GATE students. GATE funding has been on the budget chopping block the last couple of years, so it is unclear what the future of GATE education will be, as least in San Diego Unified.

public school “enrichment programs” are overrated, particularly gate….

public school “enrichment programs” are overrated, particularly gate….

FWIW, we had conferences last week and when my son asked about why there wasnt anything about GATE on his report card the teacher said the funding was gone and they discontinued the program in the Encinitas School district. Its funny how quietly it went away.

FWIW, we had conferences last week and when my son asked about why there wasnt anything about GATE on his report card the teacher said the funding was gone and they discontinued the program in the Encinitas School district. Its funny how quietly it went away.