GATE

(Gifted and Talented Enrichment Program)

The Laurel Springs School’s Gifted and Talented Enrichment program, GATE, is designed to give students who are excelling academically opportunities to stretch beyond what is offered in the regular education program. They explore a variety of subjects through both independent and team projects. Students are divided into groups of ten or fewer. Each group meets with the GATE teacher for class once a week. This program is available to qualifying students in grades 4th through 6th.

Students’ eligibility is determined at the beginning of each school year. The GATE teacher and principal examine the previous year’s report cards, teacher recommendations, behavior, MAP and state testing, and, if applicable, previous participation in GATE. (Note: Previous participation in GATE does not guarantee participation in subsequent years.)

During the school year, GATE students are assessed based on participation, behavior, and completion of projects. If a student is struggling in any of these areas or if
he or she is struggling in the regular education classroom, continued participation in GATE will be evaluated. If appropriate, a student may suspended from GATE for a
period of time.

Any parents or guardians who have questions or wish to make a complaint about the selection process, projects, or suspensions, are encouraged to contact the GATE teacher directly by phone call. If necessary, the principal will join the discussion.

Classroom teachers will be familiar with the criteria for identifying gifted and talented students and will be alert to students who exhibit those criteria. The identification methodology will be developmentally appropriate, non-discriminatory, and related to the programs and services offered by the district.
The Gifted and Talented Enrichment (GATE) teacher will review the cumulative files of all Kindergarten through grade six students against the criteria for identifying gifted and talented students. The review will include consideration of classroom achievements, the results of standardized testing, and teaching staff member observation reports.
The GATE teacher will confer with past and present teachers of any student identified in the review of files and of any student recommended for screening by teacher.
A committee will receive the recommendations of the GATE teacher and will select those students who should participate in the program for gifted and talented students.

Students are selected for the GATE program based on how they meet a set of criteria. Their information is entered into a chart and a total score is assigned. This information is then presented to the Principal who, with the gate teacher selects for the program.

The criteria for grades K-2 include:

MAP testing scores
The previous year's report card grades
Teacher recommendations

The criteria for grades 3-6 include:

MAP testing scores
Standardized achievement test scores
The previous year's report card grades
Teacher recommendations

When a student has been identified as gifted or talented, the GATE teacher will:
- Confer with the student's parent(s) or legal guardian(s) on the goals of the student's program and secure the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) cooperation and permission for the student's participation in the program,
- Interview each selected student for additional information about tfie student and for guidance in establishing an enriched educational program for the student,
- Confer with the student's teacher about a proposed educational program for the student, and
- Prepare and present to the Principal for approval a written educational plan for the student.
The enrichment needs of gifted and talented students can be met through a wide variety of activities and teaching strategies. Appropriate curricular and instructional modifications will be developed for gifted students and the program will address appropriate content, process, products and learning environment.
Each student's program will seek to involve the student in all subject areas that can provide growth and stimulation in higher cognitive processes such as interpretation, extrapolation, translation, application, analyr.is, synthesis, and
No enrichment program will replace the basic instructional program appropriate to the student's grade level.
The enriched educational program for a gifted and talented student may consist of:
- Additional classroom studies and assignments,
- Special classes in appropriate studies,
- Out-of-class sessions with the GATE teacher, and/or
- General information, as well as content-specific information, as provided for in the curriculum frameworks developed by the New Jersey Department of Education.
A classroom teacher may provide for the needs of gifted and talented students by:
- Presenting content material that is related to broad-based issues, themes, or problems,
- Integrating multiple disciplines into the study area,
- Allowing for in-depth learning of a topic selected by the student within the study area,
- Developing the student's independent and self-directed study skills,
- Developing research skills and methods,
- Integrating higher level thinking skills into the curriculum,
- Focusing on open-ended tasks,
- Using new techniques, materials, and forms,
- Encouraging the development of self-understanding, and
- Encouraging self-appraisal and evaluation.

Each student identified as gifted and talented will be assessed annually for the continuing appropriateness of his/her enriched program. Assessment will include:
- Interviews with the student, the student's parent(s) or legal guardian(s), and teaching staff members educationally responsible for the student,
- Review of the student's file, including relevant test results, and
- Review of the student's work in the preceding school
The program will be revised as required to meet the student's needs and
The student may be withdrawn from the gifted and talented program when:
- The student's academic record indicates a decline in performance,
- The student wishes to withdraw and his/her parent(s) or legal guardian(s) consents to withdrawal, or
- The student's parent(s) or legal guardian(s) requests
A decision to withdraw a student from the gifted and talented program will be made by the student's classroom teacher, the GATE teacher, the student's parent(s) or legal guardian(s), and, where appropriate, the student.

An individual who believes the district has not complied with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 18A:35-34 et seq. may file a complaint with the Board of Education. The Board shall issue a decision, in writing, to affirm, reject, or modify the district's action in the matter. The individual may then file a petition of appeal of the Board's written decision, in writing, to affirm, reject, or modify the district's action in the matter. The individual may then file a petition of appeal of the Board's written decision to the Commissioner of Education through the Office of Controversies and Disputes in accordance with the N.J.S.A. 18A:6-9 and the procedures set forth in State Board of Education regulations.