La Canada Unified School District

1. La Canada Unified School District GATE Gifted and Talented Education

2. What is GATE? The program provides challenging curriculum and instruction to gifted and talented students in California capable of achieving significantly beyond the level of their peers. LCUSD operates a school-based, coordinated program at its three elementary sites and its 7-12 campus. All students may qualify in various ways throughout their school years.

3. How Do Students Qualify?One way is with OLSAT All third grade students whose parents grant permission are tested in the spring using the Otis-Lennon School Abilities Test. (OLSAT). The OLSAT is also administered to all new students who enter the district in grades 4-8. Previously tested students may be retested after two years.

4. What is the OLSAT? OLSAT (Otis –Lennon Abilities Test) contains about 70 questions in a multiple choice format It assesses students’ reasoning abilities, not achievement or retention of facts

5. OLSAT CONTENT Verbal Comprehension The ability to perceive relational aspects of words, understand subtle differences… EX: antonyms, sentence arrangement Verbal Reasoning The ability to apply inferences to new situations, evaluate conditions in order to determine necessary versus optional… EX: arithmetic reasoning, logical selection

6. Figural Reasoning Assesses the ability to use geometric figures to infer relationships, perceive progressions, and predict next steps… EX: figural analogies, pattern matrices, figural series Quantitative Reasoning Assesses the ability to use numbers in order to infer relationships, deduce computational rules, and predict outcomes… EX: number series, numeric inferences

7. What Qualifies? In LCUSD, a student qualifies if he or she is at the 98 percentile in total verbal and non-verbal categories. NOTE: The requirements for GATE vary from district to district. Therefore, a student who qualified in another district must be re-evaluated to participate in GATE in La Canada.

8. Is There Another Way to Qualify? Yes. A student may qualify if he or she… Scores 450 or above on both ELA and MATH in the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) and Scores a 5 or 6 on the Spring District Writing Assessment and Scores 95% or above on the Spring District Math Assessment

9. GATE Characteristics • Curious, good memory • Masters content quickly • Is self-motivated • Uses Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) • Finishes work quickly • Good sense of humor • Thinks independently • Strong sense of justice

10. Another View

11. How Is School Different for a GATE Student? In some ways, it is not different. That’s because the foundation of California’s GATE program is differentiated instruction. In LCUSD all teachers have been extensively trained in differentiation. Variable and flexible student groupings are used. Curriculum pacing is examined and higher-order thinking skills are evident. GATE and other students are also given the opportunity to learn based on multiple intelligences.

12. What are other GATE components? Weekly Pull-out Program, grades 4-6 GATE After School Program, grades 4-8 Accelerated Curriculum, grades 7-12

13. Weekly Pull-Out ProgramGrades 4-6 For 45 minutes each week from mid-October until May, Julie Roberts, the district GATE instructor, conducts enrichment lessons. Mrs. Roberts is a La Canada resident, parent and experienced teacher. The Pull-out Program is scheduled during non-academic times of the school day.

14. What Makes These Classes Unique? GATE students are given opportunities to enlarge their intellectual and academic horizons, stimulate curiosity, and build on the fundamentals of citizenship and community.

15. Examples? Fourth graders have sessions in mysteries, archaeology, brainy biology and more Fifth graders have sessions in eggsperiments, optical illusions, criminal justice and more Sixth graders have sessions in investing, chemistry---and more! All students also examine personal/social aspects of being gifted

16. GATE After School Enrichment ProgramsWho May Participate? All fourth grade GATE students All fifth through eighth grade students who apply either on-line or by the paper application packet.

17. Elementary GATE After School Enrichment Program Undoubtedly the most known LCUSD program for GATE students Offered from February to May Topics run from four to six weeks

18. Wildlife Biology Word Play Practical Chinese Kobe or LeBron? Juggling Magic Printmaking Art The “Pitch” Website Blast Off! Creating Small Worlds Crime Scene Investigation Mad Scientist Human Figure Drawing Banking on Your Future The Actors’ Workout Hospital Happenings Topics Offered 2010-2011, Grades 4-6 (most through the generosity of our community)

19. Offered in October and November Topics run four to six weeks Junior Culinary Arts Real World War II The Actors’ Workout Neuroscience Applications Dabble in French Exploring the 3rd Dimension Navigating Your Passion through Photography Practical Chinese Introduction to Interior Design Conception to Completion Weapons of the Civil War Art for Your Frame 7/8 GATE After School Enrichment Program

20. Advantages of GASEP? Students learn about interesting, real world topics that are beyond the general curriculum. Students recognize and appreciate the creative professionals who share their expertise. Students often produce products they get to keep.

21. 7/8 Developmental Stages (Pre-teens and new teens march to a different drummer) • Social relationships paramount • “Fitting in” is a priority • Prefer to “hang-out” rather than attend planned activities • Academic pursuits and/or achievement may be less valued • Extra-curricular activities increase

22. You too can volunteer! Calling all moms, dads, friends, colleagues, neighbors and grandparents! Share your knowledge and expertise with our brightest students! Contact: Lindi Dreibelbis Arthur LCUSD Director of GATE ldarthur@lcusd.net 818 952-8391

23. Accelerated Curriculum 7/8 Accelerated Curriculum for Qualifying Students Algebra I, Geometry and Beyond Modern Languages

24. What Happens in 9th – 12th grades? In 9-12 grades, in addition to differentiation, counselors guide students to take the most rigorous classes. Honors and Advanced Placement classes are offered in English, math, science, social science, computer science and instrumental music.

25. What Propels Our GATE Program? As a strong proponent of differentiation instruction, LCUSD strives to infuse enrichment, extension of experience, rigor, higher-order thinking skills, excitement and opportunity for acceleration into the intricate fabric of the entire educational experience for gifted students.

26. No Two Ways about It – Our GATE Is GREAT!www.lcusd.net/GATE

27. La Cañada Elementary Nancy DeBoer ndeboer@lcusd.net 818 952-8356 Palm Crest Elementary Rachel Zooi rzooi@lcusd.net 818 952-8366 Paradise Canyon Elementary Susan Kanner skanner@lcusd.net 818 952-8345 LCHS, Grade 7 Shannon Brascia sbrascia@lcusd.net 818 952-4222 LCHS, Grade 8 Allison Dalbeck adalbeck@lcusd.net 818 952-4267 LCHS, Grades 9-12 Aaron Dover adover@lcusd.net 818 952-4266 School Site GATE Coordinators