Below are commonly asked questions about GATE. If you would like more detailed information about Plaza Vista's GATE program, please make an appointment with our school principal to get more specific details about how the GATE program is handled in grades 4-6. As your child's third grade teacher, my GATE information is limited to the knowledge that if you would like your child tested for GATE, call the District Office at (949) 936-5000 for more information. There is a GATE testing fee and you need to sign up your child for testing at the District Office.

Q. What is the process in which a student is GATE identified?

A. Students are automatically GATE identified if one of the three occur:

a. Score 500 or above in Math and 500 or above in English Language Arts on the CST

b. Score at 95% or above on the Otis Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT) given each winter to students in grades 3-6, and summer for students in middle school

c. Qualify on an approved individual IQ test given by a licensed educational psychologist

Q. What is Irvine Unified's GATE program?

A. Irvine provides cluster groups at all elementary sites for their GATE identified students in grades 4-6. Students participating in a GATE cluster group are placed with a teacher trained in differentiation and meeting the academic social/emotional needs of the gifted.

Q. What are the characteristics typical of gifted youngsters?

A. Young gifted children often have highly creative abilities, a good memory, a subtle or mature sense of humor. Gifted youngsters have an exceptionally curious nature, and often see solutions that rarely occur to others. Their wider knowledge base and advanced vocabulary help them to transfer concepts and learning to to new situations.

Q. What is differentiated instruction?

A. Differentiated instruction is adding elements of acceleration, complexity, and depth into the existing core curriculum where applicable.

Q. Who is eligible to qualify for GATE?

A. All Irvine Unified School District students in grades three through eight.

Q. What grades are served by GATE?

A. GATE identification is initiated at the end of third grade. The GATE cluster group begins in fourth grade and continues through eighth grade. Students can be identified through eighth grade. Some middle schools provide specialized GATE/Honors programs.

Q. Once identified for GATE, will I need to be identified each year?

A. No, once a student is GATE identified, that identification is final and remains a part of the student's record until graduation.

Q. When and how will I be notified if my student has been identified for GATE?

A. Students and parents are notified of GATE identification by mail or through school communication. This usually takes place in the spring for OLSAT test results or the fall for the CST.

Q. What is the OLSAT test?

A. The OLSAT is the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test. This test assesses student's thinking/reasoning skills using verbal, quantitative, and non-verbal communication/symbols.

Q. How and when is the OLSAT administered?

A. In the winter students in grade 3-6 will received information regarding the administration and have the opportunity to take the OLSAT. As testing dates near, information will be available on our web site.