SCHOOL FOR ADVANCED STUDIES (SAS)

The Schools for Advanced Studies (SAS) are programs designed throughout the District which have been implemented to improve educational options and increase professional training to support the development of gifted and talented youth.

Kenter Canyon provides an exceptional program for all learners. Our students participate in several weekly enrichment programs that support and enhance their standards based curriculum. Our Technology Assisted Instruction (TAI) program also supports the advancement of student learning. Teachers regularly participate in professional development and team meetings in order to be best prepared to meet the needs of their students. Kenter also provides monthly parent education seminars to address the needs of our parent community.

GIFTED AND TALENTED EDUCATION PROGRAMS - G.A.T.E.

Kenter Canyon takes pride in the number of students it identifies for G.A.T.E.  which requires differentiation of regular core curriculum with enrichment and an accelerated program. Kenter’s Charter provides an opportunity for enrichment and acceleration for all students as needed to ensure individual needs are challenged. The following information is provided to help parents and students with a few clarifications about G.A.T.E.

WHAT ARE THE CATEGORIES for G.A.T.E?

HIGH ACHIEVEMENT - 3rd Grade and above are eligible in this category; requires PROFICIENT levels on standardized tests and report cards for three consecutive years in BOTH Language Arts and Math.

SPECIFIC ACADEMIC ABILITY- 4th grade and above are eligible for identification in this category; requires three consecutive years of PROFICIENT levels on standardized tests and report cards in either Language Arts or Math.

INTELLECTUAL - 2nd through 5th grade are eligible for identification in this category; requires markedly advanced levels of performance on standardized tests and progress reports with demonstration of astute intelligence in relation to their peers; eligibility is determined by a District Psychologist using the *Raven's Progressive Matrix”. Students are to score between 95.0% and 98.9%. If a student scores 99.9% then the student is considered in a sub-category referred to as Highly Intellectual.

TALENTED – 3rd grade and above are eligible for identification in this category; Talented Education Programs include Visual Art, Music, Theatre, or Dance. Students are to demonstrate exceptional talent in one of these arts areas.  A district assessment is done by a specialist for each specific arts area.

How can my child be IDENTIFIED?

• School Recommendation:  Kenter’s annual standardized test results are reviewed by the school’s GATE Committtee to determine which students are eligible based on proficiency levels of progress reports and standardized test results.  School recommendations are frequently used for identification in High Achievement candidates as well as Specific Academic Ability candidates.

• Teacher Recommendation:  Teachers reviewed standardized test results as well as progress reports to determine eligible students based on data.  This category is frequently used for students who are applying for Intellectual Ability or Talented categories.

• Parent Recommendation:  Parents have the right to request an application for any of the categories as long as the student meets the required grade level criteria.   Parents may submit copies of previous report cards, test results, and work samples when any of the other items are missing.  Parent recommendations are common for students entering Kenter from out of state or country.  Students must attend a LAUSD school for at least six months before they can be considered for GATE.

What if I believe my child is Gifted?

Talk to your child’s teacher about the appropriate category for your child. You can discuss options at the parent/teacher conferences.  Also, look at your child's previous report cards and test scores.  Does your child seem to meet the criteria?  Is your child markedly advanced in relation to their peers?  Does your child think in ways that are unusual or exceptional?  

If my child is gifted, what can I do now?

READING is always KEY! Visit museums!  Participant in after-school and off-campus enrichment experiences!  Encourage the teacher to offer “extension projects” for your child.

Can I find out more about assessments used by LAUSD Psychological Services for measuring cognitive ability of students who are applying for G.A.T.E in the Highly Intellectual Ability category?

There are sample questions and information on-line that helps one see the types of analytical and logical thinking required for the Highly Intellectual Ability assessment used by LAUSD.  Here is a sample question from a previously administered Raven test:  Psychological Services may choose from a variety of test to measure cognitive ability.  The sample is a Raven test and is only provided as an example of the type of questions that may be used.  This sample is not intended to imply that the Raven is the only assessment tool used by LAUSD for Highly Intellectual testing. 

Where can I receive information regarding the TALENTED EDUCATION PROGRAM part of GATE?

Although the overall program is commonly referred as GATE, it is actually two separate programs:  Gifted AND Talented.  If a student is identified as TALENTED, the extended program is not part of the home school’s curriculum.  The LAUSD Talented Program is scheduled on Saturdays at Cal State LA campus.

For the Talented category, students are identified through a process that includes an interview and audition.  For example, the interview portion for visual arts will seek an applicant’s knowledge about "elements of art," "periods of art", characteristics of artists, etc.   The interview is similar for the other art areas.  During the audition, the student would be given specific tasks to demonstrate their exceptional talent in the arts field of their choice.  

If my child is identified as Talented, will he/she be placed in a Middle School Academic Honors Program?

No.  The Gifted portion of GATE helps the middle school with placement in Honors or Highly Intellectual classes.  The Talented program continues at Cal State-LA and is not part of a student’s academic curriculum at his or her home school.  However, it is likely that a student in the Talented Program for voice would become a participant in a school’s “honors chorus”---but not necessarily in a school’s Mathematics Honors class.

Where can I get more information about G.A.T.E.?

Kenter Canyon teachers and administration are well versed in GATE identification and should be a first contact regarding prospective GATE students.  Additionally, Kenter Canyon’s GATE Coordinator has information for parents regarding enrichment activities, recommended readings, etc.   The Kenter Canyon School directory provides email addresses for the GATE Coordinator.