GIFTED AND TALENTED EDUCATION(GATE)

Cheerful students The Clovis Unified School District GATE Program is designed to provide differentiated instruction and extended learning opportunities for students who have demonstrated exceptional abilities and whose educational needs may not be fully met without modifications of the regular education program. Students participating in the GATE program should and will have access to persons, experiences, relationships, materials, and ideas for expanding their awareness. Each student must be offered an educational opportunity commensurate with his or her
needs and abilities. Students shall be given the benefit of an educational program designed to suit their capabilities and encouraged to develop themselves fully.

Each of the District’s schools – elementary (K-6), intermediate (7-8), or high school (9-12) – plans and implements its own GATE program according to the needs of the students at that site. Students in grades
4 through 12 may be considered for GATE eligibility in Clovis Unified at any time.

Student Resources

Science instruments
In addition to differentiation in the classroom, most of Clovis Unified’s elementary GATE programs consist of part-time grouping providing mini courses, vertical acceleration, and broadened horizontal experiences resulting in greater depth and complexity than typically available in the regular classroom. Elementary students also work on independent study and service projects. At the intermediate level a number of different strategies are used to meet the needs of the GATE students. Special elective classes (honors) which meet on a daily basis, independent study, vertical acceleration into high school courses, enrichment in the regular classroom, mini courses in a wide spectrum of subjects, and participation in student government are offered. At the high school level the needs of the GATE students are met by vertical acceleration, Advanced Placement classes, independent study, and advanced level electives in science, math, music, art, English, foreign language, and the social sciences. Students in the 11th and 12th grade also have the opportunity to attend daily half-day classes at the Center for Advanced Research and Technology (CART).

For more information at the site level, parents are urged to contact their child’s GATE coordinator or principal regarding the specific program at the school. In addition, news about GATE activities should appear in each school’s newsletter and on the school’s website.

For more information contact Richard Sarkisian, Administrator, Assessment  @  559.327.0680

GATE Coordinator Resources

Large group of students around the Chairman's Award
Characteristics of Giftedness
The following are characteristics that are common among gifted individuals. Not all gifted children display all of these characteristics at all times.

Motivation
  • Is unusually attentive to details in the environment
  • Keeps at an issue until it makes sense
  • Displays unexpected depth of knowledge in one or more areas
  • Has accelerated task commitment and energy while learning
  • Wants to do things on own; independent

Inquiry

  • Asks penetrating questions
  • Is curious; asks how, why, and what if
  • Asks questions about words (in print and/or oral language)

Insights

  • Expresses similarities and differences between unrelated objects
  • Uses time concepts
  • Expresses relationships between past and present experiences
  • Sees another’s point of view
  • Spontaneously takes action to help someone in need
  • Shows non-verbal awareness of other’s needs
  • Has high expectations of self and others

Reasoning

  • Analyzes classroom tasks
  • Sees cause and effect relationships
  • Organizes collections of things

Imagination/Creativity

  • Makes up or expands songs, stories and riddles about learning experiences
  • Creates interesting shapes or patterns

Humor

  • Says or does something indicating a finely developed sense of humor
  • Catches an adult’s subtle humor
  • Understands and uses puns and riddles
  • “Plays” with language

Clovis Unified School District: Be the best you can be in mind, body, and spirit

Buchanan Area Schools

Buchanan Alta Sierra Cole Century Dry Creek Garfield Tarpey Woods

Clovis High Area Schools

Clovis High Clark Cedar Wood Clovis Elementary Mickey Cox Gettysburg Jefferson Red Bank Sierra Vista Weldon

Clovis West Area Schools

Clovis West Kastner Ft. Washington Liberty Lincoln Maple Creek Nelson Pinedale Valley Oak

Clovis North Area Schools

Clovis North Bud Rank Copper Hills Fugman Mountain View River View

Clovis East Area Schools

Clovis East Boris Fancher Creek Freedom Miramonte Oraze Temperance Kutner Reagan Elementary Young Elementary

Educational Services Area Schools

CART Gateway Clovis Online School Clovis Community Day School Clovis Adult Education Sierra Outdoor