News

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Secondary District GATE Program Internal Review

The Santa Barbara High School District is conducting an internal review of its GATE program. A committee of 16 individuals, comprised of elementary and secondary parents, teachers, administrators, and school board members, are investigating multiple aspects of the secondary GATE program with the intent of producing a board report in the early spring.

Drafts of the board report will be made available to the public (including feeder districts) in the month of March. The public will be asked to provide input on any recommendations before the report is forwarded to the board of education, ensuring that each part of our community is provided with an opportunity to weigh in on this important topic. Updates will be sent to the community as the internal review progresses.

Committee Goals

1. To recommend an exemplary GATE program to the board of education. The recommended plan will be:
   • committed to providing equitable and fair access for all students;
   • cost-effective for the district and for school sites;
   • standards-based and aligned with exemplary state programs;
   • designed for consistent application throughout SBSD secondary schools;
   • designed to outline appropriate and comprehensive professional development and ongoing support for teachers in the GATE program.
2. To provide clear, consistent, effective communication about the GATE program to parents, students, and our neighboring school district communities.

The Internal Review Process

The GATE Planning Committee will:

• hold focus groups with parents, students, teachers, and administrators to determine baseline successes and concerns with the secondary GATE program;
• research major areas of focus from the discussions held with parents, students, teachers, and administrators;
• develop a draft of recommendations for the public and the board of education to review;
• revise the draft of recommendations and present to the public and the board of education for adoption

Future Meeting Dates

• February 20, 2008
• March 5 and 19, 2008
• April 16 and 30, 2008

Location and Time

Santa Barbara Junior High School, Room 108, from 3:30-5:00 pm

Members of the public are welcome to attend these regularly scheduled meetings and provide input.