GATE

The Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Community Advisory Committee (CAC) of Tustin Unified School District are parents and site representatives who meet throughout the year with the goal of protecting and improving the GATE program.

If you are interested in serving as your school's parent rep, please talk with your site principal and then complete the GATE CAC Community Advisory Member Application. Applications are due by August 12, 2023.  

Responsibilities

• To better understand the GATE program, GATE instruction, and gifted learners

• To gain updated information on the program and in the GATE education field

• To provide input at both the site and district levels 

• To work together and assist in program planning, evaluation, and other GATE-related issues

• To share information, communicate with and serve as a liaison to the school site

• Opportunities to participate in district wide GATE events

2023-24 Meeting Schedule *Meetings are virtual.

November 2, 2023 | 4:30-5:45 

April 4, 2024 | 4:30-5:45

California Association for the Gifted (CAG) www.cagifted.org 

Orange County Council for Gifted Education (OCC GATE)  www.occgate.org 

National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC)  www.nagc.org 

Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted  (SENG) www.sengifted.org

Understanding Your Gifted Child (2023) Barbara Klein (Published by Psychology Today)

Appropriate Expectations for the Gifted Child A. DeVries (Published on Davidson Institute)

The Twelve Most Important Issues for Parents of Gifted Children  Gifted Education Communicator Summer 2008

The Problem with Being Gifted by Denise Cummins Ph.D

The Downside of a High IQ by Sherry Walling

MIT's 'Imposter Syndrome' Workshop Draws a Full House by Samata Joshi

8 Easy Ways to  Help Your Student Build Resiliency  by Samantha Cleaver (Published by We are Teacher April 30, 2015)

Asynchronous Development

Asynchronous Development in Children by Carol Bainbridge (Published in very well family)

Many Ages at Once by Lisa Rivera (Published in Psychology Today)

Asynchronous Development by Jean Goerss

Asynchronous Development in Gifted Children (Blog by Colleen Kessler)

Identify, Purpose and Happiness by Kathryn Grubbs (Published  by National Association of the Gifted, 2018)

Gifted Girls

When the Gifted Hides Their Giftedness by Lisa Conrad

Social Emotional Issues Faced by Gifted Girls in Elementary and Secondary School by Sally Reis

Gifted Girls by J.F. Smutry

Nurturing Gifted Girls Self-Concept and Academics at Home by Lauren Broome

Lisa Van Gemert Talks About Perfectionism and Differently Wired Children  Click HERE to access.

Ian Byrd - So Much More Than Smart

The Parent Institute 2024

Red Hill Elementary, 11911 Red Hill Ave, Santa Ana

Friday, July 26, 2026   8:30-11:45 am

Parents will have the opportunity to receive training on parenting gifted students, engage in roundtable discussions, and learn more about the differentiation that GATE students receive. This will lead into a discussion on how to best support your gifted child at home and how to further support and extend what is being taught in the classroom. Due to overwhelming demand, participants will be  selected using a lottery system. The cost is $25 per parent.

Application information will be sent to parents via Parent Square in April.  The program is open to eligible TUSD APL/GATE parents.  

GATE SCREENING CRITERIA

Beginning in the 2022-23 school year,  TUSD started universal screening of grade 3 students for Gifted and Talented Education (GATE).  Universal screening is best practice for identification to cast a wide net to increase representation.   The screening for GATE is done in two stages.  In stage one, all grade 3 students will take a cognitive abilities assessment in the fall.  Students who perform well on the cognitive abilities assessment will move to stage two.  In stage two, academic data, performance on critical thinking work samples and teacher feedback will be used to identify students for eligibility.

Students in grades 4-7 can be referred by a teacher, parent, counselor, or administrator for Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) screening based on a student’s learning behaviors, cognitive abilities, and/or classroom performance.  Student profiles based on multiple criteria are reviewed by site and district screening committees consisting of administrators, GATE specialists, and GATE trained teachers.

COGNITIVE TEST DATES (2024-25 School Year)

Tustin Unified School District requires potential 3rd-8th grade GATE students to take a cognitive abilities test as one measure to qualify for the GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) program. Students will be tested at their school on a day between September 30 and October 15 by the school’s GATE Lead Teacher. The exact date is not typically disclosed to parents and if students are absent there may not be an opportunity to take a makeup test.  Please avoid scheduling any appointments during this window.

• Students that have already qualified for GATE in TUSD do not need to screen again. 
• Students are screening for eligibility for 2025-26 school year.
• Opt-Out Request (grades 3) and REGISTRATION (grades 4-7) closes on September 23, 2024.
• This is the only opportunity for parents to request screening through Tustin Unified School District this school year. Late consent forms will not be accepted.  

2024-25 Screening & Identification Timeline

• Early September:  Information about APL and GATE Screening sent parents via Parent Square
• September 13-23, 2024: Request to Opt-Out of Screening Form (grades 3) and Consent to Screen Form (grades K-2 & 4-7) available
• September 23, 2024: Request to Opt-Out of Screening Form (grades 3) and Consent to Screen Form (grades K-2 & 4-7) are due
• September 30- October 15, 2024: Cognitive test administered at school site during the school day for students in grades 3-7
• December 2024: Student portfolio collected and reviewed. Student portfolio includes district work samples (additional grade level opportunities to demonstrate critical/divergent thinking), assessment data, parent feedback and teacher feedback
• Mid-January 2025:  Eligibility letters mailed home via Parent Square.

Please note: Private IQ test results are not accepted for the GATE screening process.

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Private School Students in grades 3-7: Students who live within the TUSD boundaries, but attend a Private School and are in grades 3-7 have the opportunity to be formally GATE tested. Testing for students who attend private schools will be held on October 16, 2024.   *Proof of residency is required.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE:  September 23, 2024

Please contact the GATE Office by emailing TUSDGATEINFO@tustin.k12.ca.us or by calling 714-730-7301 ext. 51372. 

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APL SCREENING CRITERIA

With parent consent, kindergarten through second grade students may screen for Advanced Primary Learner (APL). Participation in the APL program is determined through multiple criteria, including academic data, parent feedback, teacher feedback and critical thinking work samples.  Information and the consent to screen form will be sent to current kindergarten through second grade TUSD parents via Parent Square in September. 

• Students are screening this year for participation in APL beginning the following school year. 
• Once a student qualifies for APL, they do not need to screen again for eligibility.  Eligibility will remain with the student through 3rd grade. 
• A cognitive test is not used as part of the screening criteria for eligibility in the APL program.
• Students do need to screen (beginning in 3rd grade) to be eligible for GATE. 

Screening & Identification Frequently Asked Questions

GATE = Gifted and Talented Education (Grade 4-8)  *Students begin screening in 3rd grade. 
APL = Advanced Primary Learner (Grades 1-3)  *Students can screen beginning in kindergarten. 

How can a student screen for GATE or APL?   What criteria is used to identify students for GATE?

APL: With parent consent, kindergarten through second grade students may screen for Advanced Primary Learner (APL). Participation in the APL program is determined through multiple criteria, including academic data, parent feedback, teacher feedback and critical thinking work samples.  Information and the consent to screen form will be sent to current kindergarten through second grade TUSD parents via Parent Square in September. 

• Students are screening this year for participation in APL beginning the following school year. 
• Once a student qualifies for APL, they do not need to screen again for eligibility.  Eligibility will remain with the student through 3rd grade. 
• A cognitive test is not used as part of the screening criteria for eligibility in the APL program.
• Students do need to screen (beginning in 3rd grade) to be eligible for GATE.

GATE: Beginning in the 2022-23 school year,  TUSD started universal screening of grade 3 students for Gifted and Talented Education (GATE).  Universal screening is best practice for identification to cast a wide net to increase representation.   The screening for GATE is done in two stages.  In stage one, all grade 3 students take a cognitive abilities assessment in the fall.  Students who perform well on the cognitive abilities assessment move to stage two.  In stage two, academic data, performance on critical thinking work samples and teacher feedback are used to identify students for eligibility.  Information about GATE screening will be communicated with parents via Parent Square at the beginning of the school year and parents may opt their child out of screening. 

Students in grades 4-7 can be referred by a parents, teachers, counselor, administrator or other persons familiar with the student’s performance. Parent must consent for a child in grades 4-7 to participate in screening. TUSD uses a multiple criteria process (portfolio) for eligibility. Student portfolios include a cognitive test, district work samples (additional grade level opportunities to demonstrate critical/divergent thinking), assessment data (report card, STAR Reading/Math, and CAASPP) and teacher feedback.   

Consent forms are emailed to parents via Parent Square in mid-September. 

Who should participate in GATE screening? What are GATE traits?  Students who typically qualify for GATE have advanced thinking skills and the ability to apply what they know.  Please review the below documents for more information.  

Characteristic of Gifted Children

12 Traits of Giftedness

Who administers the tests for GATE identification? Each school site has a GATE Lead Teacher that is GATE certified and trained to administer the cognitive test.  The test is administered during the school day. The 2024 testing window is  September 3-October 15. Please make every effort to have your child at school all day every day during the testing window. If a student is absent during the administration time, makeups may not be possible.

Should I tell my child about the GATE testing?  Say, “Your teachers are interested in how you think. You will be doing some activities that help to show how you think. This will help them to know more about you." Let him/her know that there will be some interesting puzzling questions to try and solve; different than any test he/she has taken in the past.

Avoid saying this is a test to see how smart you are.  

*Normally we do not tell parents/students the exact date/time of the cognitive test in advance because this sometimes causes students more anxiety.  Anxiety can cause some students to do less well on the test. 

What should my child do to prepare for the test?  Nothing.  The cognitive test are used to measure how a student thinks and solves problems. It is not an academic test and there is no way to study for the test. 

If my child qualifies for GATE, do they have to change schools? No. Your child can participate in the GATE program at all TUSD elementary and middle schools.

If my child is not APL identified, can they still be GATE identified? Yes. They must take the cognitive abilities test and go through the GATE screening process.

My child was GATE identified in a previous school district. Will he/she automatically be GATE identified with TUSD? No.  Every school district develops their own qualification criteria for GATE eligibility. Once you transfer to TUSD, please notify your school site that your child was previously GATE identified. The school site will contact the TUSD GATE office to begin the process of reviewing the GATE records from the previous district.  If the criteria that the previous district used to qualify your child matches the criteria we use in TUSD, we will likely qualify the student. If the criteria does not match, then we will recommend that the student screen in TUSD at the next available opportunity.

If my child doesn't qualify, can they screen again?  How many times can my student screen for GATE?  Students may screen a maximum of 3 times in TUSD for GATE (this does not include APL screening).  

My child attends a private school but we live in the TUSD boundaries. Can he or she be screened for GATE? Yes, but only during the TUSD screening window.  The due date to Consent to Test in the 2024-25 school year is September 23, 2024. We do not screen Private school students who are in grades K-2.
We provide an opportunity for students, grades 3-7, who live within the TUSD boundaries but attend a private school to take the cognitive abilities test and go through the screening process for GATE identification.  To register for the test, parents must complete the Consent to Screen Form, Parent Feedback Form and email the GATE office proof of residency (utility bill or rental/lease agreement) and a photo ID. 

Is private IQ testing accepted for GATE identification purposes?  Private assessments are not accepted for GATE identification purposes.  This is so the screening process is equitable for all students. 

Most students will take the OLSAT 8.  Some students that are new English Language Learners will take the NNAT.  

What is the OLSAT 8?

The OLSAT 8 (Otis- Lennon School Ability Test) is a nationally normed standardized, norm-referenced, group administered aptitude test that measures verbal and non-verbal abilities.   The OLSAT’s purpose is to assess a student’s cognitive abilities, or how one thinks.  It is not an academic achievement assessment that aims to assess what a student knows.  

“The OLSAT 8 is based on the idea that to learn new things, students must be able to perceive accurately, to recognize and recall what has been perceived, to think logically, to understand relationships, to abstract from a set of particulars and to apply generalization to new and different contexts.  This complex set of abilities is assessed through performance on such tasks as detecting similarities and differences, solving analogies and matrixes, classifying, and determining sequence.”

​Is there a time limit? There is a time limit for third through eighth grades (time limit varies by grade). Most students do not finish the test in the allotted time. Students are made aware of the time limit during the directions before beginning the test.

What areas are measured on the test? The OLSAT is comprised of both verbal and nonverbal questions.

What are the verbal and nonverbal scores assessing? The verbal score is made up of verbal comprehension and verbal reasoning tasks.

Verbal Comprehension assesses abilities relating to understanding and manipulating words in different contexts.  It tests the ability to understand relationships between words, derive meaning from words, understand subtle differences between words that are similar and control and work with word to produce logical, meaningful  sentences.  

Verbal Reasoning assesses the ability to understand relationships.  It tests the ability to find and deduce relationships between words, understand and draw conclusions from new situations,  and make comparisons and observe differences or similarities.  

The Nonverbal score is made up of pictorial reasoning (grade 2 only), figural reasoning and quantitative reasoning.

Pictorial Reasoning (grade 2 only) assesses the ability to reason using pictures and visual items.  It tests the ability to understand and deduce relationships between objects, understand similarities and differences, and deduce patterns and progressions.  

Figural Reasoning assesses a child’s ability to infer relationships between different geometric shapes and figures, understand patterns and progressions, compare and contrast different figures or sets of figures and manipulate and work with figures in a spatial context.  

Quantitative Reasoning (grades 3-8) assesses the ability to infer and understand relationships with numbers and deduce and use computational rules in context.

How can I prepare my child for the OLSAT 8 ? There is no way to study for the cognitive abilities test. This test is based on the way your child thinks.  Students are given practice questions before the test commences.  

Understanding the Score Report:

Raw Score:  This score is simply the number of items answered correctly.  

School Ability Index (SAI):  The raw score is then converted using the SAI score, which compares your child to other children to the same age group who took the OLSAT 8 during the same month.

Percentile Rank:  This scores is used to compare the student’s performance to that of a national sample of students of the same age.  For example,  if a 10-year-old student has a percentile range of 80%, this means the student scored as well or higher than 80% of 10-year-old students who were tested nationally.

What is the NNAT3?

The NNAT3 (Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test)  is a nonverbal test that  is standardized,  norm-referenced and group administered assessment that does not require a student to read, write or speak (nonverbal).  The NNAT assesses nonverbal reasoning and general problem solving skills in children.

Is there a time limit? Yes,  there is a time limit for the NNAT3. Most students do not finish the test in the allotted time. Students are made aware of the time limit during the directions before beginning the test.

How can I prepare my child for the NNAT3? There is no way to study for the cognitive abilities test. This test is based on the way your child thinks.  Students are given practice test questions before the test commences. 

Understanding the score report:
Raw Score:  This score is simply the number of items answered correctly.  

Naglieri Ability Index (NAI):  The raw score is then converted using the NAI score, which compares your child to other children to the same age group who took the NNAT3.

Percentile Rank:  This score is used to compare the student’s performance to that of a national sample of students of the same age.  For example,  if a 10-year-old student has a percentile range of 80%, this means the student scored as well or higher than 80% of 10-year-old students who were tested nationally.

My child qualified for APL or GATE, now what?

APL = Advanced Primary Learner (Grades 1-3)

GATE = Gifted and Talented Education (Grade 4-8)  

If my child qualifies for APL or GATE, do they have to change schools? No. Your child can participate in the APL/GATE program at all TUSD elementary and middle schools. Students are placed in APL/ GATE clusters with a GATE trained teacher.  

Which schools have the APL/GATE program? All TUSD elementary and middle schools have a GATE program.  All TUSD elementary schools have an APL Program. Each school site has a GATE Lead Teacher, who is a great resource for information regarding how the GATE program operates at each school site. (Contact your school site for the name and contact information of the Lead GATE Teacher.)

Will my child be in a class with all GATE students? All elementary schools (except Tustin Memorial Academy) have cluster classes of APL students and GATE students, so there will be a mix of GATE and non-GATE identified students. This model allows the classroom teacher to more effectively differentiate instruction and provide GATE students interaction with both their intellectual and age peers.

Since my student is APL or GATE identified, can they automatically enroll at Tustin Memorial Academy (TMA)? All TUSD students have the option to enter the lottery to attend Tustin Memorial Academy (TMA) regardless of APL/GATE identification. Whether your child is or is not APL/GATE identified, they must enter the lottery in order to attend. Transfer requests must be submitted through TUSD Student Services. Please check the TUSD district website for specific dates. To participate in the lottery, a transfer must be requested during the transfer period. Please go to TUSD Transfers for more information.

How is instruction different for my APL/GATE child? Our GATE teachers participate in a rigorous 3 year program to get certification to teach GATE clusters/classes.  They receive training to meet the academic and social/emotional needs of gifted and advanced learners. GATE teachers get to know student’s specific interests and learning preferences and adjust instruction and curriculum to meet individual needs.  Differentiated instruction opportunities for students to think with depth and complexity are embedded in all content areas throughout their school day.  Students participating in GATE will not have more classwork or homework than other students.  GATE teachers carefully plan lessons for students that appropriately challenge and engage students.  Social-emotional needs are also addressed and students learn what gifted means and they learn strategies to deal with anxiety, stress and perfectionism.  

Do I need to consent to have my child participate in the GATE program? No. TUSD has a passive consent model. If at any time, a parent/guardian does not wish to have their child participate in the GATE program, they may decline participation by sending an email to tusdgate@tustin.k12.ca.us.

Once placed in the GATE program, will a student need to be screened each year?  No. A student who qualifies for GATE, will remain GATE identified in Tustin Unified School District until graduation and does not need to test more than once. Students transitioning from elementary to middle school will automatically remain in the GATE program.

If my child is GATE identified in elementary school, will he or she automatically be in honors classes in middle school? The GATE label is not a barrier or pass to honors or Advanced Placement classes in middle or high school. Students that meet the school site requirements for the course can take honors or Advanced Placement courses in middle school and high school.  

My child just qualified, why is it not updated as a program in Aeries?  Students screened this year for eligibility next year. Students that recently qualified will be updated in Aeries in August.

​What does the GATE eligibility get my child?

• ​Explicit instruction on scholarly behaviors
• ​Independent Research Projects
• ​Passion Project/Genius Hour
• ​Empathy and understanding of differences
• ​Opportunity to work with intellectual peers
• ​Teachers who nurture and encourage out of the box thinking
• ​Teachers who use all kinds of instructional moves to get kids thinking in different ways: thinking prompts, logic lessons, universal themes, think like a disciplinarian, leveled questions, extension and more

What can I do at home in order to reinforce GATE concepts for my child? Ask about your child’s passion and find opportunities for them to explore and learn more in their area of interest.  

Does being GATE identified mean that my child will have more homework? No. Your child will have opportunities throughout the day to exercise their intellect.  They will have homework that aligns with the school site homework policy.

Does GATE go up to middle school and high school? Will GATE label follow them in middle school? TUSD GATE eligibility will remain a part of the student’s record until graduation. Students transitioning from elementary to middle school will automatically remain in the GATE program. Our GATE teacher certification program is K-8.  Students in middle school are placed with GATE trained teachers whenever possible.  We do not have a GATE program in high school.  However, students advanced needs are typical met through course selection (honors/Advanced Placement courses), International Baccalaureate (IB) Programs, Early College/Dual Enrollment, or technical pathways.

What support is available to parents?

• TUSD GATE Program Resources Website
• OCC GATE Parent Nights (usually in the Spring)
• Organizations (OCC GATE, CAG, SENG, NAGC) have Information and Resources  (including conferences with parent strands)
• Site Meetings
• Classroom Teacher
• Gate Lead Teacher
• Principal
• GATE Coordinator
• Other GATE Parents​

My child did not qualify for GATE, now what? My child received a results letter saying he/she did not qualify. When can he/she test again? If your child did not qualify your child may participate in the screening process next year. Students may screen a maximum of 3 times between 3rd-7th grades.

My child is very upset that he did not qualify for GATE.  What do I do? The screening process is not meant to punish or reward anyone.  The purpose of the screening is to identify students that NEED different learning opportunities than grade level peers.  The label is really for educators and parents to understand more about the child.  There are characteristics (some good and some not so good) that are associated with kids with very high intellect and these students are at risk of being unhappy, bored, uninspired, underachievers, socially isolated and many drop out of college.  

Ask your child how school is working for them.  Ask what they like and don’t like.  Who do they hang out with?  What were they hoping would happen if they “got into”  the GATE program? Sometimes kids feel they have disappointed their parents and are only upset because they think you are upset. They might feel like they won’t have access to something (which is usually not the case).  

What else should I do? Our goal as educators is to provide a learning environment that meets the social and cognitive needs of all our students.  We recommend that parents communicate their concerns to their child's teacher.  The more teachers know about a student (interests, needs, challenges, etc.), the better they can support them.

I want my child to be a “higher level” learner, too.   Standards are rigorous and all students have access to high levels of learning.  Education has changed a lot in the last several years and learning opportunities continue to be individualized and differentiated so students interests and needs are addressed.  If you are concerned that your child is not learning at a “high level” meet with your child’s teacher and address your concerns (sooner than later).  

The GATE label is not a barrier or pass to honors or Advanced Placement classes in middle or high school.  Students that meet the school site requirements for the course can take honors or Advanced Placement courses in middle school and high school.