Screening and Identification

In order to support the needs of our youngest gifted students, Hillsboro's screening process begins when students enter kindergarten grade. The screening process includes classroom teachers working in collaboration with the gifted educator. This process includes observations, lessons that focus on creativity and critical thinking, and a mental ability screening. This provides opportunities for the teacher and gifted educator to observe all students’ cognitive and academic abilities.

Students demonstrating characteristics of high ability and gifted learners, including creative and critical thinking, and scoring well on the mental ability test, will be invited to participate in the district's formal identification process (Sparklers and Innovators pull out sessions).  "Sparklers" is our kindergarten (which is a month-long pull out program, 30-45 minutes weekly).  "Innovators" is our 1st grade program which includes 2-hour pull-out sessions each week.

Program Details

 Students formally identified as gifted will participate in the district's GATE program. It consists of a weekly "pull out" program. Students will spend time in the GATE classroom each week, engaging in a wide-range of learning opportunities including higher level thinking strategies, problem based learning, and inquiry. Technology will be integrated to accomplish learning goals. 

The GATE program consists of "pull-out" program time each week. Students meet in a classroom in and engage in problem solving, creativity, and inquiry-based learning experiences that enrich, challenge, and extend beyond the regular district curriculum. In GATE class, students are taught to embrace challenge through modeling, exploration, and experiences. Students are not required to complete missed class work assigned during their time in GATE class.

Outside of GATE class, students will be placed in a GATE Cluster Classroom. Clusters of gifted students will be placed in classes to allow for gifted student collaboration and the providing of additional differentiated learning opportunities and to better serve the gifted students. The gifted education teacher can assist and support the classroom teacher in providing a variety of strategies to enhance the gifted student's educational program consisting of, but not limited to: Curriculum Compacting, Independent Study, Flexible Grouping, Tiered Assignments, Extension Menus, Interest Centers and Groups, Learning Contracts, Mentorships, and Questioning Strategies. 

The purpose of GATE in grades 2-6 is to extend the curriculum in a way that cannot be done inside the regular classroom. Providing the gifted students an opportunity to collaborate, communicate, and support each other benefits everyone involved. Students are also provided with choices and opportunities to choose and develop interests they may have beyond the scope and sequence of the regular curriculum. While no formal grades are given in GATE class, students self-assess in the areas of problem solving ability, work habits, and thinking skills.