Gifted and Talented Education (GATE)

Ms. Carin Gasca, Principal on Special Assignment

626-943-3520

The Goal of GATE in AUSD

AUSD is committed to differentiate instruction for students who qualify for gifted and talented education. We aim to include ALL identified students so that the AUSD GATE population is one that is representative of the rich racial, socioeconomic, linguistic and cultural AUSD population. AUSD commits to providing staff and parents high-quality training so that differentiated opportunities for learning occurs to meet students' unique abilities and talents in the classroom with support at home.

GATE Identification Process:

GATE identification begins in 3rd grade. All 3rd grade students have the opportunity to be tested in 3rd grade, students in 4th - 8th grades may be tested by teacher referral or parent request. Parents or guardians interested in having their child GATE tested in grades 4 or above should contact their school site or fill out the request below.

GATE Assessment:

Students in grades 4th-8th are assessed using the online version of the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT). The OLSAT is a nationally standardized, norm-referenced, group administered measure of verbal and non-verbal school abilities. Test outcomes determine whether or not a child qualifies for GATE under High Achievement. Students who score within a certain range on the OLSAT but do not qualify for GATE will also be administered the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test which measures a student's problem-solving and seasoning abilities without relying on their language skills. All 3rd grade students, with passive parent consent, will be administered the Naglieri first. If the student scores within a range of qualifying for GATE, then they may be administered the OLSAT. The District's GATE Director and qualified staff review all assessment results and based on either the OLSAT's or Naglieri's eligibility criteria, determine qualification for GATE.

Parent Consent for GATE Testing:

If it is determined that your child may be GATE tested, a Parent Consent for GATE Assessment must be obtained, signed and returned to the school site for all 4th-8th students. A passive consent is received for 3rd grade students. The screening process and recommendation must be documented by the due date prior to obtaining the required parent consent.

GATE Recommendation Form:

If you would like to recommend your child/student for GATE testing, use the following link and submit it to your school principal or teacher by the deadline listed below. The District will review all parent/teacher recommendations. Teachers, administrators and parents may use the same form to recommend students for GATE testing.

4th-8th GATE Referral

Requesting Your Child's GATE Assessment Results:

In accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, parents/guardians may request a copy of their child's GATE assessment results through written request. However, AUSD sends all parents/guardians a copy of the results in late spring, should you require an additional copy, please submit a written request using this link.

GATE Classroom Differentiation:
Elementary students who are identified as GATE receive differentiated instruction within their classrooms, leveled grouping in Strategic Teaming, and site-based Universal Access program offerings. High school students may receive specialized learning through the Honors and AP program offerings, as well as possible differentiated instruction in the classrooms. AUSD does NOT provide Pull-out GATE programs or cohort classes, however enrichment opportunities are embedded throughout the school day.

25-26 GATE Timeline

Date	Activity
Before Sept. 12, 2025	Teachers develop GATE Plans for current students
August 20, 2025	4th-8th GATE Referral opens for teachers and families
Sept. 22-26, 2025	At 3rd Grade parent conferences, teachers discuss 3rd grade GATE screener
Sept. 22-26, 2025	4th-8th Grade GATE Plans are shared with parents/guardians and feedback is received during conferences. Parent signature is obtained. Copy provided to parents.
Oct. 17, 2025	Deadline for teachers & parents to submit 4th-8th GATE Referral with students' names (grades 4-8) for potential GATE testing.
November 10- December 12, 2025	OLSAT & Naglieri Testing Window
January 16, 2026	District notification of OLSAT/Naglieri Results to families
January 30, 2026	Mid-Year GATE Plans due for newly identified students. A copy of the plan is sent home

25-26 GATE Parent Sessions

GATE Parent Online Workshops:

Parent workshops are open for ALL parents/guardians wishing to learn more about GATE and how to differentiate learning and experiences for GATE students both at home and school.

September 30, 2025 @ 6:00-7:00 p.m. (New Date)

January 20, 2026 @ 6:00-7:00 p.m.

GATE Parent Advisory Meetings:

Each school has a parent representative attend the district GATE Advisory Committee meetings. If you are interested in becoming a parent representative for your school, please contact your school principal or assistant principal.

Meeting dates for the 2025-26 school year are:

November 4, 2025 @ 6:00-7:00 p.m.

March 10, 2026 @ 6:00-7:00 p.m

GATE Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Do you group GATE students together?

A. No, our classroom groupings are inclusive of all types of learners.

Q. Do you have a GATE school or classroom like other districts?

A. AUSD does not offer GATE schools nor does it cluster GATE students into a classroom.

Q. Are teachers trained to differentiated for GATE students?

A. The district now offers afterschool voluntary training for teachers to differentiate instruction for GATE learners.

Q. What if I want to know how my child is doing with his/her GATE plan?

A. Make an appointment to discuss progress with your child's teacher.

Q. Will AUSD offer the virtual GATE classes again?

A. For now, yes. It is planned to offer the GATE classes virtually in the spring.

Q. The Virtual GATE classes were too short. Can these be extended?

A. For now, the GATE classes will remain at 6-8 weeks.

Q. Can the GATE after school classes be offered in person if the school has 30+ GATE students?

A. In order to provide equitable GATE services throughout the district, GATE classes will only be offered virtually.

Q. What does GATE look like in High School?

A. We do not have a GATE program in HS. The offerings GATE students may participate in include honors and advanced placement courses.

Q. Are GATE students automatically enrolled in honors or Advanced Placement courses in High School?

A. No, students need to enroll in these classes when they meet with their counselors for High School registration in the spring.

Q. What if we want more after school options for our GATE students, like in person classes?

A. This is something parents may bring up at Coffee with the Principal with your site administration. The district is currently offering virtual enrichment classes in the spring.

Q. Are the virtual GATE classes mandatory for GATE students?

A. No, these are enrichment and solely voluntary for our GATE students.

Q. Are public schools required to test or serve private school students?

A. No. (https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/gt/)

Q. My child was not selected for the GATE program at my school. What should I do if I believe my child is capable of an accelerated program?

A. Since California law places GATE programming under "local control" you may wish to inquire with the school district's GATE coordinator about why your child was not selected. Ultimately, the decision will be left to the district. (https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/gt/)

Q. Will local educational agencies (LEAs) be required to provide differentiated curriculum for students identified as gifted and talented within the regular school day per California Education Code (EC) Section 52206 and Title 5 Section 3840?

A. In response to LCFF legislation, California Senate Bill 971 (signed into law September 2014) repealed all previous EC that referred to GATE as a categorical program. The language contained in EC sections 52200–52212 is no longer in effect. LEAs may determine program guidelines and policies regarding all aspects of GATE. (https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/gt/)

Q. Has the State of California eliminated GATE funding?

A. GATE as a categorical funding stream was eliminated with the passage of the LCFF. Many LEAs have continued to fund their GATE programs under the LCFF but whether to expand, maintain, or suspend GATE programs is a local decision. (https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/gt/)

Non-AUSD Endorsed GATE Resources and Programs

There are many opportunities designed specifically for gifted and talented students in the elementary, middle, and high school grades. Alhambra USD does NOT endorse any of the programs and companies mentioned in the links provided below. They are offered as resources for parents and educators to explore. Any specific questions you may have about these opportunities, please contact the companies noted in the links directly.

The Institute for Educational Advancement

http://www.educationaladvancement.org/whats-new

Center for Gifted Education

https://education.wm.edu/centers/cfge/profdev/index.php

National Association for the Gifted (NAGC)

https://www.nagc.org/about-nagc

California Association for the Gifted

https://cagifted.org/events/

Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted

https://www.sengifted.org/

World Council for Gifted and Talented Children

https://world-gifted.org/