Programs


  • What is GATE?

    The Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program provides unique education opportunities for students who have been identified as gifted and talented. GATE students at Weathersfield are clustered into classes by grade-level, facilitating differentiated instruction and dynamic interaction among students. Focus is placed on the development of critical thinking skills and problem solving activities. 

    Additionally, CVUSD has a GATE District Advisory Committee that meets once a month to discuss program goals and needs. A parent representative from Weathersfield attends these meetings and brings back information to share with parents. Weathersfield also has a teacher who serves as GATE coordinator, who attends monthly meetings, shares information with the staff, and helps coordinate the GATE parent meetings.

    Getting Identified

    The classroom teacher generally initiates the GATE identification process for students they feel exhibit GATE behavior. The classroom teacher completes an application documenting student achievement and strengths. This documentation is passed along to the GATE Coordinator at the site, and then along to CVUSD. It is then that the student is tested. 
     
    All 3rd graders will be given an opportunity to be tested on site in January, permission slips to consent to testing will be sent home to all 3rd grade parents in the fall. Fourth and fifth grade referrals must be submitted to CVUSD.

    How do I get my child tested?

    1. Have a conversation with your child's classroom teacher.

    Talk to your child's teacher if you are interested in having your child tested for the GATE program. Your child's teacher sees your child everyday in the classroom setting. Their perspective of the possibility of giftedness in your child is based on training, years of teaching experience, and of course that ability to see how your child responds and reacts to different situations in the academic setting.

    Research your child's greatest indicators. There is a strong correlation between giftedness and reading lexile and standardized testing performance. Most GATE identified students perform at an "STANDARD EXCEEDED" level on the CAASPP and have a lexile at least one grade above their current grade level. If you are not sure of your child's lexile or CAASPP performance levels, please request this information from your child's teacher.

    2. Based on that Parent-Teacher Conversation...

    If the classroom teacher agrees and would like to see your child tested, then they will fill out a referral form which will be submitted to the Weathersfield GATE Coordinator(s). You will also be asked to complete a Parent Referral form, which will be included in the application process.

    3. Paperwork, Permission & Testing

    Once paperwork has been submitted, you will receive paperwork from CVUSD requesting permission to test. Once this is completed, you will be notified of a testing date and location. Results can take 6-8 weeks, and possibly longer if further testing is needed to determine eligibility.

    Once students are identified, they remain part of the GATE program.

  • Identifying the differences between a BRIGHT child and a GIFTED child:

    Bright Child vs. Gifted Child