MCSD

The GATE Program has an intellectual and academic component based on state and district standards. The District's GATE curriculum is centered around differentiated and expanded instruction focused on higher levels of cognitive thinking skills that exceeds the standards of our general education course of study. Grades two through five offers GATE special day classes at elementary schools that allows for the homogenous grouping of the district fited students. At the middle school level, the GATE program provides services primarily through part-time grouping which is primarily administered through the language arts,literature and social studies core classes. Students with advanced mathematical aptitude are served through the advanced mathematics offerings such as pre-algebra, algebra and geometry.

Parents, teachers and administrators refer students for the GATE Program. Students are accepted through a district-wide, tiered selection process which includes three ways to be selected: first by passing an intelligence test given in the spring; second by submitting a student portfolio including recommendations and high state and local test scores, and finally through a student portfolio which would also include work samples. Once accepted into the program, students may remain in GATE as long as they are able to maintain their grades, attendance and participation in the program.

GATE Selection Priority Criteria

First Priority Selection: Based on a score of 90% - 99% on OLSAT

Second Priority Selection: Based on a score between 80% - 89% on OLSAT plus CST scores in Reading/Language Arts and Mathematics scores for 2nd through 8th grade at least 400 or in the Advanced range.

Third Priority Selection: Based on a score of 80% - 89% on OLSAT but with no CST score:

Recommendation by teacher and/or site principal
Student Portfolio including letters of recommendations, school and district level assessments, and writing samples

Fourth Priority Selection: When not using OLSAT score:

Recommendation by teacher and/or site principal
Student Portfolio including letters of recommendations, school and district level assessments, and writing samples
This would include Minority Referrals not included in Priorities One, Two and Three above

AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, THE MCSD GATE PROGRAM WILL MATCH DISTRICT ETHNIC PROPORTIONALITY