What is GATE? 

 

The Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program of the East Whittier City 

School District is designed to provide students with appropriately challenging 

learning experiences and to assist them with the achievement of academic 

excellence.  

 

The District GATE program follows California Department of Education 

guidelines which require that students receive categorically differentiated 

instruction.  It is in keeping with the District philosophy which provides for the 

adaptation of educational experiences to meet the individual abilities and needs 

of all students.

What is “Differentiated” Instruction? 

 

Differentiating the core curriculum  is the process of providing extended learning 

opportunities so that identified students are appropriately challenged, even when 

their interests, abilities and experiences vary widely in a single classroom.  

Teachers strive to provide additional challenges to students through four 

methods:  acceleration, complexity, depth and novelty. Differentiation allows for a 

“stretch” of the curriculum so that students who have already mastered the 

material at grade level continue to progress and so that students who have a 

particular  interest in an area can pursue it in greater depth or in a personalized 

way. 

How Is Instruction Differentiated? 

 

Instruction is differentiated by cluster groupings within regular classrooms, 

special classes such as algebra and pre-algebra, independent work in a regular 

classroom,   before and after school classes, pull-out programs during the regular 

school day and GATE Summer School.  All strategies have advantages and 

disadvantages and educators must use professional judgment in selecting those 

which best meet the needs of their schools and communities.  

 

The East Whittier GATE program is most often differentiated within the regular       

classroom.  In the  reading program, for example, students participate in guided 

reading groups (clusters) that challenge them to stretch their reading ability.  East 

Whittier teachers have participated in an extensive series of reading and writing 

training classes so that student instruction can match the student’s  level of 

expertise.  Writing provides similar opportunities for meeting students’  individual 

needs.  Classroom examples would include Writer’s Workshop and individual 

teacher conferences with the students  about their writing. 

GATE students in this district are identified based upon the following guidelines: 

 

• Intellectual Ability              

    o A pupil demonstrates extraordinary or the potential for extraordinary 

            intellectual development. (Grades 3-8)  

 

• High Achievement             

    o A pupil consistently attains exceptionally high scores on 

            achievement tests.   (Grades 3-8.) 

 

• Specific Academic Ability 

    o A  pupil functions at a high  academic level in a particular  subject  

            area.    (Grades 3-8) 

 

• Multidimensional Survey