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Gifted and Talented Education (GATE)

The U.S. Office of Education, through research studies, defines the gifted/talented as follows:

Children and youth with outstanding talent perform or show the potential for performing at remarkably high levels of accomplishment when compared with others of their age, experience, or environment.  These children and youth exhibit high performance capability in intellectual, creative and/or artistic areas, possess an unusual leadership capacity, or excel in specific academic fields.  They require services and activities not ordinarily provided by the schools.  Outstanding talents are present in children and youth from all cultural groups, across all economic strata, and in all areas of human endeavor.

It is the goal of West Covina Unified School District to provide all GATE students with proper guidance, appropriate classes to meet their identified needs and abilities, differentiated instruction and enrichment activities to develop and stimulate inquisitiveness, creativity and academic and critical thinking abilities. West Covina Unified School District supports and coordinates the implementation of the Gifted and Talented Program at each school site. In accordance to legislation, AB2313, students receive appropriate differentiated curriculum and varied learning opportunities during the regular instructional day. Enrichment and acceleration opportunities are encouraged which will meet individual student's specific needs and talents. All enrichment activities are supplemental to regular, daily, differentiated instruction.

Parent Involvement

Parents are a vital component of the district’s Gifted and Talented Program. Ongoing parent participation in program planning and activities is highly encouraged. Suggested parent training corresponds with district and school wide programs because parent attendance is excellent when their children are involved.

Each school site has a Parent GATE Committee either as a part of the School Site Council or as a separate committee. Parents will meet with the site administrator/teacher GATE specialist at least twice a year for information on GATE services, activities and evaluation. To encourage the attendance of parents of Limited English proficient students, translators are available during all training.