The Gifted and Talented represent a group of students whose learning characteristics and thinking abilities require an educational program designed to meet their unique needs. The GATE program provides instructional strategies to help students realize their potential. The GATE curriculum, while encompassing basic skills, also exposes students to a variety of learning experiences which expand their knowledge and challenge their thinking processes. GATE students are challenged through more rapidly paced, in-depth study, complexity and creativity throughout the curricular programs in GATE.
GATE certification may be recommended based on intellectual ability, high achievement, specific academic ability or alternative criteria. The first step in the process is completion of a GATE Referral Form available at every school. The form includes achievement test data; teacher, staff, couselor/psychologist, and parent statements; and a gifted characteristics checklist completed by principal, couselor, staff, teacher, parent, and student. Parents, staff, and/or students can initiate the referral process. Referrals are reviewed by the district GATE Identification Committee.
Sam Brannan has a full curricular GATE program at the 7th and 8th grade levels including Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, and Advanced Math classes.