GATE Program Identification Procedures & Timeline

Pinelands Regional School District

GATE Program Identification Procedures & Timeline

Seventh Graders

• (Early Spring) Dissemination of GATE program information/processes: Members of our GATE committee visit to each sending district and speak to the incoming class of students about the GATE program and the selection process. This information is shared with parents on our website and using social media platforms.

• (April-May) Applications: Students who are interested in the program create a portfolio. Potential candidates are encouraged by their teachers. The application guides the student in creating a portfolio, which serves to provide samples of their work for the committee to review. We request that students create their portfolios on their own. The application requests a writing sample, math assessment, parent questionnaire, and some artifacts which demonstrate the child’s giftedness.

• (May) Teacher Recommendations: Select GATE committee members meet with the sixth-grade teachers to discuss placement recommendations, which includes GATE. Student data is also shared at this time (standardized test information, benchmarks, various assessments, grades, etc.)

• (May/June): Portfolio Review: The GATE committee reviews student submissions, teacher recommendations, and student data. Depending on the year and the quality/quantity of candidates, students are either selected from the program in this step or are asked to participate in round two.

• (June) Optional - Round Two: Years when additional information is necessary to make selection, round two consists of student interviews, team-building, and the use of an assessment, such as the Insight Test.

• (June/July) Parent/Student Contact: Families are contacted regarding student selection in the GATE program.

• (August) GATE Program Welcome: A meeting is held where parents and students get the opportunity to meet the GATE team members and also get a more in-depth review of the educational opportunities and enrichment experiences of the program.

• (September/October) Follow-up with Faculty: All seventh-grade teachers are contacted within the first marking period to determine if anyone is displaying signs of giftedness and should be considered for GATE program placement.

Nontraditional Selection

• (On-Going) Nontraditional Selection: To accommodate students who were not originally identified or who enrolled in later grades, we use a scaled-down version of the original process. Student data, teacher recommendation, parent contact, a writing sample, and a math assessment are used to determine eligibility.

GATE Selection Appeal Process

Anyone who seeks to contest the decision made by the GATE committee regarding their child’s placement understands that their child does not meet the multidimensional criteria outlined by the district. Appeals are to be filed in the guidance department using the “Course Selection Appeals Form Departmental Review” located in the Course Brochure. The review process is collaborative, including faculty members who have first-hand knowledge of the student. A district supervisor and/or a building administrator will be present at each review. Decisions reached during the departmental review process are final. Anyone who requests a departmental review will receive written notice of the review decision.