Santa Barbara High School District
Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Program

The Santa Barbara School Districts are committed to providing the professional instruction and guidance necessary for students to achieve academic excellence as well as an understanding and respect for diversity. In addition, students attain the ability to balance individual interests and civic responsibilities, participate in an increasingly technological society, and take responsibility for their own learning and development. This commitment includes providing specialized programs for students with extraordinary learning needs due to their advanced intellectual and academic ability.

To provide for the needs of this student population, each school has a program for the gifted and talented. The gifted and talented program at each school furnishes learning experiences and opportunities that are commensurate with the needs and abilities of these students.

Goals and Methodology

Our goals are to meet students' intellectual needs, motivate students to reach their highest potential, increase the application of critical thinking skills, and promote positive social-emotional skills. These are in keeping with the State Education Code’s directions for programs for the gifted and talented. Differentiation of course content is achieved through added depth, complexity, novelty, and acceleration. Teachers have received in-service in differentiation. In addition, the California Association of the Gifted has published a book which explains each of the four methods.

To assist teachers in meeting the needs of the gifted and talented, special training, resources, and support services are provided.

School Program Plans

In 2005, the district submitted and received a three-year approval for its gifted and talented program. While each school can develop a program which best fits its population and resources, the program developed must follow the general guidelines set down in the state approved application. 

At the beginning of each year all secondary schools submit an updated program plan for their school. Included in the program plan are course descriptions which show how the courses are differentiated using one or more of the four strategies of differentiation: through acceleration/pacing;  through increased depth of exploration of a curricular topic; through enhanced complexity of the subject matter; and/or through advanced learning that is primarily student-initiated.

 Our Advisory Councils

The Santa Barbara High School District maintains a district-wide advisory council (DAC) for Gifted and Talented Education. The DAC consists of site coordinators, the district coordinator, teachers, and parents. The DAC meets every third Thursday of the month. The District Advisory Council (DAC) provides guidance for the district’s program. It advises on the criteria used for student qualification and on the disbursement of funds. It also assists with a thorough evaluation of the GATE program.

The DAC also conducts a fund-raiser every spring. All of the money raised is spent directly for GATE students. This past year we raised over $60,000.

Each school has a site coordinator who plans and oversees the GATE program and a site advisory body which meets to provide program direction. The school advisory committees which consist of the site coordinator, the principal, teachers, parents, and students meet a minimum of three times a year.

Our Parents' Role

We believe that the interests of gifted and talented children are served best when parents and educators work cooperatively.  Nothing guarantees the stability of school programs for the gifted as much as strong parental support, involvement, and advocacy. We urge all parents to become involved on behalf of gifted children whether it is by providing a resource for a school, serving on an advisory council, participating at a parents' association meeting, or supporting gifted education through political action.

The California Association for the Gifted (CAG) is the state organization for parents and educators. To receive a CAG membership application, call 730-7775 or visit the CAG website at http://www.cagifted.org

If you wish to serve on an individual school's Advisory Council, please notify your school's GATE coordinator. Below you will find the phone numbers of each of the schools. If you would like to serve on the District Council, please contact the GATE office at 730-7775 for dates and times. If you have a specific question about a school’s program, call the school and request that the school’s GATE Coordinator return your call. If you have a general question, you can reach the District Gate Coordinator or the GATE administrator by calling 730-7775.

Qualification

Each year a search is conducted for potential GATE students. All students entering junior high schools from the Goleta Union, Hope, Montecito, and Cold Spring School Districts who have been identified as GATE students in their elementary district DO NOT need to re-test to participate in Santa Barbara High School District’s GATE Program. Students currently qualified by our standards in the Santa Barbara Elementary will not be required to re-test. Testing is also offered at each school site in the Santa Barbara Elementary District, Goleta Union School District, Hope School District, and the Montecito Union School Districts during the regular school day to any student not currently qualified. In addition, GATE testing is offered on Saturdays in October, January, February, March, May, and June, and on a weekday in August. Students may register for GATE testing by completing the Registration Form (available on the web site, through their school’s counseling office, or from the GATE Office) and providing the required information (see Registration Form). Once a student is identified, appropriate GATE classes will be recommended for their junior and senior high school schedules.

Students may be identified in one of three categories. In each of the categories, identification is made using a combination of test scores and other pertinent data, such as achievement test scores, teacher completion of the Renzulli Scale, report cards, a student portfolio, and/or quality of previously completed courses.

• Category 1: Intellectual Ability – The student has a composite score of 95th percentile or better on the Cognitive Abilities Test and at least a 90th percentile in two areas (NPRS: total reading, math and/or language) of acceptable nationally-normed achievement tests OR a Scaled Score of 435 in English Language Arts or a 450 in math on the California Achievement Test over the past two years.
• Category 2: Specific Academic – The student has at least 95th percentile in two areas (NPRS: total reading, math and/or language) of acceptable nationally-normed achievement tests OR a Scaled Score of 435 in English Language Arts or 450 in math on the California Achievement Test over the past two years and a composite score of 90th percentile or better on the Cognitive Abilities Test.
• Category 3: Other High Potential – A limited number of students are identified in this category. Students in this category have not qualified in Categories 1 or 2; however, other available data and superior range test scores make the student a strong candidate for placement. The student's success in the recommended placement will be evaluated at the end of the year to determine continued participation.

If you would like information on testing dates, see Testing or call the GATE office at 730-7775.