Golden View Elementary

Our Gifted and Talented Program (GATE) is integrated into the regular classroom, grades 3 through 5.  Golden View's GATE  program supports excellence in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District (SRVUSD) through a general curriculum that enhances the education of all students while addressing the specific needs of the gifted. Teachers at Golden View provide differentiated instruction activities for all students throughout the school day in a variety of subject areas. The activities may also be augmented or supplemented with other enrichment activities related to the core curriculum for our GATE students. Differentiated curriculum is one that regularly provides opportunities for gifted students to experience instructional techniques that address one or more of the following questions about instruction:

 

Pace: Is the child moving through the curriculum at a pace that insures continuous progress?

Depth: Does the curriculum allow the gifted child to go deeper than the surface of a subject area?

Complexity: Is the gifted child challenged by critical thinking and higher order thinking skills in the classroom?

Product: Does the child have the opportunity to be creative and to apply knowledge to real life situation?

GATE represents Gifted and Talented Education. The term gifted refers to children who show, or have the potential for showing, an exceptional level of performance in one or more areas of expression. GATE is the differentiated and specialized education within the classroom designed for these gifted children. SRVUSD uses the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) Form 7 to identify students eligible for the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Program.  This test consists of three batteries which measure verbal, quantitative and nonverbal abilities.  There are three short tests within each battery.

 

At the conclusion of the second trimester, second grade teachers administer the CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test). In order to pass the test, the CogAT age-related composite score must be at the 98th percentile or above OR a student must have an age-related composite score at the 97th percentile with an age-related score at the 99th percentile in at least one of the test's three sections (verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal). Once a student has passed the CogAT, he or she is identified as GATE.  All 2nd grade students are administered the CogAT in their classrooms during the second trimester of each school year.  Students in grades 3-4 who have previously taken the grade 2 CogAT or who are new to SRVUSD may take the CogAT in the Fall.  Additionally, students in grades 5-7 who are new to SRVUSD who have not previously taken a test for GATE eligibility may take the CogAT in the Fall.  PARENTS MUST REGISTER ONLINE ON OUR DISTRICT GATE WEBPAGE IN ORDER FOR THEIR CHILD TO TEST IN THE FALL.  Space is limited, so parents are encouraged to register early.  Only students in grades 3 and 4 who have previously taken the CogAT have the option to register and retest.

 

The CogAT is a natural aptitude test that measures a student’s inductive and deductive reasoning abilities as well as their capacities in verbal, nonverbal, and quantitative tasks. Scores on this assessment reflect a student’s ability to identify relationships and demonstrate flexible thinking. The CogAT is frequently used among school districts to identify gifted students. San Ramon Valley Unified School District is one of those districts.

 

Since the CogAT is a natural aptitude test, there is no academic preparation required. Unnecessary studying can actually hinder a child's performance on the test and cause greater disappointment in the case that the child does not pass. Golden View teachers recommend a good night's sleep the night before, a hearty breakfast the morning of the test, and plenty of encouragement from parents. Second grade teachers review the test's content with practice tests beforehand and create a conducive test taking environment by teaching the students smart test taking strategies.

 

Once your child passes the CogAT, he or she is classified as GATE in the school district and at the child's elementary school site. Administration and classroom teachers are informed of the child's GATE status and this information is entered into his or her school file. Students retain GATE status throughout their educational experience in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District. Students are placed in "GATE clusters" which means that many are grouped together in one classroom to meet their needs more effectively.

 

 

GATE instruction begins on the first day of school. Through a variety of good teaching practices and strategies, Golden View teachers meet the needs of and provide challenges for GATE students. GATE education is integrated into daily instruction. This ensures that gifted students' needs are being met consistently and constantly. Research shows that ongoing, in-class GATE instruction is far more powerful than sporadic after school GATE enrichment. San Ramon Valley School District and Golden View believe that our gifted students deserve the maximum amount of GATE instruction that can be provided. The topic of GATE instruction and its implementation will be discussed in depth at the GATE Information Night. For information on how your child's unique needs are being met in his or her personal classroom, consult the teacher. Just as our gifted children learn differently, teachers present information and modify to meet their teaching styles. There might be slight deviations.

 

Regardless if a child passes the CogAT, his or her needs will be met in the classroom. GATE practices and strategies are not restricted to GATE students alone. If a child excels or shows strength in a particular academic area, the teacher will instruct or challenge him or her accordingly. Golden View has many brilliant children that are willing and able to take a challenge. Golden View teachers give children what they need whether or not they are classified as GATE.

 

Yes. Students can retake the CogAT the following year.  If you would like your child to retest, register online with the GATE district office. There is a cost (TBD) that covers the registration and administration process.

 

 If your child was identified as a GATE student in another school district, contact the district GATE office at (925) 552-2916. They will tell you if the other district's assessments are equivalent or if your child must retest in our school district. If your child must retest, please refer to the previous question and answer.

 

Please go to the district's GATE web page; there is a multitude of information about the district's approach to and support of gifted education. For further information about GATE at Golden View, contact a GATE teacher representative. Their information is provided on this webpage. For specific questions about GATE instruction and how it's implemented in the classroom, please wait for the GATE Information Night. It will provide all the answers to those questions and more. Your child's classroom teacher can be a valuable resource for information as well.

 

There are many ways you can help our Golden View GATE program and your gifted child.