News

Monday, April 7, 2008

Public Comments Solicited on Possible Revisions to the Santa Barbara High School District's GATE Identification Criteria for Fall 2009

The Santa Barbara High School District is proposing a revision to its GATE identification criteria. The proposed criteria, listed below, is available for public comment until May 9, 2008.

The proposed identification criteria is as follows:
An incoming student or a student being tested will be deemed qualified for the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program and, based upon his/her scores, for placement into appropriate GATE classes/programs if he/she attains:

a composite score on a district-approved cognitive abilities test in the 95th percentile or above at any time before entering the secondary district;
two or more subscale scores with one having to be a non-verbal or equivalent on a district-approved cognitive abilities test in the 95th percentile or above at any time before entering the secondary district;
a composite score on a district-approved cognitive abilities test in the 93rd percentile or above at any time before entering the secondary district AND score at the 98th percentile or higher on either a district approved math achievement test (such as math California Standards Test) or a district approved English achievement test (such as English language arts California Standards Test) within two years of entering the secondary district.

A parent or student can ask for an appeal of the above criteria if the student has a composite score on a district-approved cognitive abilities test in the 93rd percentile or above at any time before entering the secondary district, but the expectation is that only exceptional circumstances and an absolute demonstration of exceptional ability (by student portfolio) will be approved. An approved appeal will constitute completing a Renzulli scale, as prescribed by the GATE Office guidelines, and a positive recommendation by the GATE selection committee.

If a GATE identified student returns to the Santa Barbara School Districts after moving out of the districts for a period of two years or longer, the student will be required to successfully retest (using the cognitive abilities test) in order to be classified as a GATE identified secondary student.

To make a comment on the proposed Secondary GATE identification criteria, click here.