Rigor in the elementary levels critical in helping to prepare students with the skills they will need to succeed in school. Recent initiatives in education has focused on core subjects and on closing achievement gaps. The New Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce however, suggests a new blueprint for American education. Among the recommendations put forward, the commission agreed on one priority: Teaching must prepare students for success in the twenty-first century. Students must be competent in reading, math, science, and technology and acquire:
- Knowledge about the world,
- Creative thinking,
- The ability to gain access to and use new sources of information, and,
- The ability to communicate and work well with people.
West Covina Unified School District is proud to move forward in further improving the quality of education for our students participating in the Gifted and Talented Education Program (GATE). Our vision is to provide GATE participants with an opportunity to gain and practice important skills through an approach to teaching and learning where students explore real-world problems and challenges.
GAte Showcase
The GATE Showcase involves groups of elementary school taking turns presenting to each other on a topic of their choosing. During the presentation, students will be demonstrating mastery of content as well as showcasing specific 21st Century Skills. For example, effective oral communication and making connections to real-life issues and academic work are important features of this project. Keep in mind, this event is a culminating activity and each of our elementary schools have been engaged in differentiated instructions as part of the regular GATE program throughout the year. These activities are part of a differentiated curriculum, instructional models, and strategies that are aligned with the state academic content standards and the WCUSD Gate Plan.
