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Gifted and Talented Education (GATE)Mrs. Delfino: Grades 2-4 Definition | Grades 2-4 | Grades 5-8 | Identification Procedures GATE Handbook: Click here to download pdf. MissionDiamond Lake District 76 is dedicated to meeting the educational needs of all children. We understand that children, as individuals, possess unique gifts and talents. As educators, we strive to meet these needs by challenging students at appropriate levels, stimulating critical thinking, and enriching the curriculum.
Definition of Gifted and Talented ChildrenGifted and talented children are children with “outstanding talent who perform or show potential for performing at remarkably high levels of accomplishment when compared with other children of their age, experience and environment. A child shall be considered gifted and talented in any area of aptitude, specifically in language arts and math, by scoring in the top 5% in that area of aptitude.” (Illinois School Code, Article 14A-20) Diamond Lake School District #76 recognizes the special needs of children who fit this description and is committed to offering a curriculum that targets their academic and affective needs. The Enrichment Program is a response to the learning needs of a specific group of students. These students have a high academic aptitude as measured by their performance on the MAP tests or teacher observation. In order to challenge these students, this program will provide a small group enrichment component once a week that enables the GATE teacher to work with up to 15 students. The GATE teacher will run four six-week long sessions of content specific enrichment in the following areas: mathematics, reading, social studies, and science. To be selected for mathematics enrichment, students must score 90% or higher on MAP. To be selected for reading enrichment, students must score 85% or higher on MAP. To be selected for science or social studies enrichment, students must show high ability or high interest in that area and will be selected based upon teacher recommendation. Evaluation of students will take place prior to the beginning of a session and is based on students’ needs and abilities. Therefore, placement in one session does not automatically place a child in all sessions or any subsequent sessions. Grade 4 Pull-Out Program The pull-out program in grade four targets those students who have been identified as gifted based on various assessment tools. These students are pulled from their regular classes during specified periods for 120 minutes per week to address their academic and social needs through the use of broad themes and an integrated curriculum. Assured units of study are those units that will be taught every year. Optional units of study are those units that will be taught provided that there is time in the year to complete them.
Fourth Grade The theme of fourth grade is “Our World Patterns”. Using artwork, buildings, inventions, and our economic systems, students examine patterns in our world and how they impact our lives.
The Enrichment Program is a response to the learning needs of a specific group of students. These students have a high academic aptitude as measured by their performance on the MAP tests or teacher observation. In order to challenge these students, this program will provide a small group enrichment component once a week that enables the GATE teacher to work with up to 15 students. The GATE teacher will run 9 or 18 week sessions of content specific enrichment in the following areas: reading, social studies, and science. To be selected for reading enrichment, students must score 85% or higher on MAP. To be selected for science or social studies enrichment, students must show high ability or high interest in that area and will be selected based upon teacher recommendation. Evaluation of students will take place prior to the beginning of a session and is based on students’ needs and abilities. Therefore, placement in one session does not automatically place a child in all sessions or any subsequent sessions. Grades 5-8 Pull-Out Program The pull-out program in grades five through eight targets those students who have been identified as gifted based on various assessment tools. Fifth grade students are pulled from their regular classes during specified periods for 120 minutes per week to address their academic and social needs through the use of broad themes and an integrated curriculum. Students in grades 6-8 will be pulled for a double block of time during their exploratory periods once a week. Instead of taking Math Enrichment, for one nine-week period during the school year, students will attend GATE pull-out. During that 9 week cycle, they will not be pulled from their exploratory classes. The curriculum in these grades levels was designed based on developmental readiness and moves in a progressive manner, which allows students to make natural connections throughout their time in the program. Assured units of study are those units that will be taught every year. Optional units of study are those units that will be taught provided that there is time in the year to complete them. As the purpose of the program is to provide challenge and enrichment as a supplement to the regular curriculum, students will not receive traditional letter grades, but rather they will be assessed on whether or not they are meeting the goals of the program. Parents will be updated on student progress at the end of every unit. Fifth Grade The theme of fifth grade is “Ancient Times” and throughout this year students will study the people, places, and practices of the past. Students explore the idea that in order to know who we are today, we have to know our history. Students will answer the guiding questions of “How have the people of the past influenced us today?” and “What is my history?”
Sixth Grade The theme of sixth grade is “Discovery” and throughout this year students will be “discovering” many new things and ideas within every unit taught. At this stage students are also beginning to wonder who they are as individuals. Students will begin this year by building a classroom community in order to answer the guiding questions of “Who am I?” and “What is my role in this classroom community?”
Seventh Grade The theme of seventh grade is “The Real World.” Through every unit of study students will be making real world connections, or participating in real world simulations. The year begins with, once again, building or re-establishing community, but with a different focus. This year students answer the guiding question of “Who are we?” and look at what they can do for their community at large.
Eighth Grade The theme of eighth grade is “Looking to the Future.” Students will begin by re-establishing their community and answering the guiding question of “What does it mean to be a global citizen?” Students will investigate who they want to be and what part they play in the world.
Identification Procedures for Pull-Out ProgramDiamond Lake School District #76 is committed to using multiple measures and procedures that are culturally fair and unbiased to identify gifted and talented students for the district’s program. Screening and Selection The district formally identifies students for the Gifted and Talented Education Program at the end of third grade through a process that includes ability tests, achievement tests, and teacher recommendation. The district screens all students in the district for gifted services using the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test. Students who score in the 95% or higher in mathematics or reading are eligible for further testing to qualify for the program. A teacher, parent, or a student may also nominate a student for further testing. Students identified for further testing take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAt). The Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT) may be administered in cases where language or culture may inhibit the student’s ability to take the CogAt. Testing for referred students takes place in the spring and it is free of charge to parents or guardians. Students enter the program at the beginning of the following school year. Students may participate in testing more than once, but there must be at least twelve months between each test administration. Newly enrolled students are tested as soon as it is determined that there is a potential need for GATE services or when the parent requests testing at the time of registration. If a student has been identified as gifted and talented by another school district, parents must request a release of the student’s records from the previous school. The student’s records will be reviewed to determine if placement in the Diamond Lake School District #76 Gifted and Talented Program is appropriate. If more evidence is required, further assessment may be requested. Classroom teachers are involved in the screening process in two ways. First, teachers may recommend students for the screening process based upon classroom observations and interactions with the student. In some cases, theChecklist for Identifying Language-Minority Students with High Potentialmay be used. Second, teachers will complete a checklist of high ability behaviors (SRBCSS) for all students participating in the screening process. Placement In order to be placed in the pull-out program, a student must have a score of 123 or higher on the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAt) or a score of 93% or higher on the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT) and have an above average score in one of three categories on the Scales for Rating the Behavioral Characteristics of Superior Students (SRBCSS). Minimum scores are 18 in Learning Ability, 22 in Creativity and 20 in Motivation. |
