Frequently Asked Questions About GATE
My student was assessed/identified as GATE Cluster. What does that mean?
Your child scored 98%ile or above on the Raven Progressive Matrices.
-ORYour child scored 95%ile or above on the Raven and met the criteria for one “factor”.
Factors include:
1. Economic – eligible for free or reduced lunch;
2. Language – assigned CELDT overall Language Proficiency Level of Beginning, Early
Intermediate or Intermediate;
3. Disability – has an active IEP or 504 Plan.
My child was assessed/identified as GATE Seminar. What does that mean?
Your child scored 99.9%ile or above on the Raven Progressive Matrices.
-ORYour child scored between 99.6 – 99.8%ile on the Raven and had one “factor” (indicated
above).
How is the current GATE assessment being conducted?
Grade 2: Universal – all enrolled 2nd grade students are tested.
Grades 3-5: New to the district students and students not previously tested are tested.
Grade 5 Re-test: Students must meet re-test criteria (see below).
Grades 6-12: Site review and placement via appeal into appropriate programs for
students not previously identified. This age group is not retested; existing data is used.
Re-test Criteria:
1. Cluster – Students tested once who were not GATE identified: Initial Raven score of
85% or above and/or at least TWO Advanced CST scores (any year/all subjects).
2. Seminar – Students tested once and identified as GATE Cluster: At least FIVE
Advanced CST scores (any year/all subjects).
What tool is used for identifying GATE students in San Diego Unified School District?
San Diego Unified School District uses the Raven Progressive Matrices test. It is an
untimed, non-verbal, spatial reasoning test that becomes progressively more difficult as
the student works through the test. Scoring is normative and based on the student’s
age.
Can a student be tested outside of the school’s designated testing block for any of the
following reasons: no permission slip, less-than-optimal conditions, sick, did not eat
breakfast, nervous, etc.?
Not at this time. The district has school psychologists testing the eligible students at
their schools during their designated one-month block period. Therefore, all testing
administrations, including make-ups can only be offered and completed during the
designated testing blocks. Make-up days will be provided only within the testing block.
6/2/2015
Frequently Asked Questions About GATE
Can students take the test outside of the designated testing block for the school if the parent
is willing to pay the $50.00 private fee?
No. School sites are responsible for resident GATE evaluation.
Who handles parent concerns/questions about GATE assessment, including, but not limited
to, re-testing, make-ups, programs, choice schools, and existing criteria?
The school site team does. ALL issues/complaints/decisions are dealt with at the school
site with leadership from the site administrator.
How are GATE assessment appeals handled?
All GATE appeals are held at the school site with the GATE team (site administrator,
school psychologist, lead GATE teacher, and additional relevant staff). All appeals
should be handled on a case by case basis based on data. For example, a student from
out of state enters the district and has been previously found eligible for GATE. The
team may want to consider their assessment process and determine if it meets the
established criteria and act accordingly.
GATE District Advisory Committee (DAC)
Attend a GATE DAC meeting at the Ballard Parent Center the second Monday of the
month throughout the school year. See www.sand.net.gate for the exact schedule.
6/2/2015