Programs

Programs for language minority students must comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Civil Rights Act states:

"Where inability to speak and understand the English language excludes national origin-minority group children from effective participation in the educational program offered by a school district, the district must take affirmative steps to rectify the language deficiency in order to open its instructional program to these students."

Also in effect is the 1974 Supreme Court Lau vs. Nichols decision that states:

"No state shall deny equal educational opportunity to an individual on account of his or her race, color, sex, or national origin, by the failure by an educational agency to take appropriate action to overcome language barriers that impede equal participation by its students in its instructional programs."

Under these laws, school districts have a continuing obligation to provide equal educational opportunities to language minority students.

There are 9,946 identified limited English Proficient (LEP) students in the Elk Grove Unified School District (R30 Report, 2009). These students speak over 80 different languages. Additional assistance to English Learner students is provided from the state of California's Economic Impact Aid (EIA) funds which are disbursed to school sites for direct services to students. Teaching Associates assist students in their primary languages, and students are taught in structured English immersion classes before they are mainstreamed.

Language minority students are identified through the Home Language Survey. Students are tested in their primary language within 90 days of enrollment at school to determine their primary language proficiency. They are also tested to determine their English language proficiency. These tests allow schools to appropriately place and service students.

For more information, contact Christina DeWaal, Nguyen Saari, or Violeta West in Learning Support Services at (916) 686-7712.

English Learner Advisory Committee Meeting schedule for 2009-2010:

September 24, 2009 6:00-7:30 p.m.
December 10, 2009 6:00-7:30 p.m.
February 25, 2010 6:00-7:30 p.m.
May 5, 2010 5:30-7:30 p.m. (Student Recognition)

All meetings will be held in the Robert L. Trigg Education Center Board Room.

The goal of the GATE program is to provide high quality instruction, acceleration, and differentiated curriculum for students who are identified as having abilities and/or potential for high performance.

What is GATE?

The Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program in the Elk Grove Unified School District is funded by a state grant and administered through the Office of Learning Support Services. Title 5A, Section 3820 of the California Administrative Code requires the district to ensure the identification of gifted pupils who possess a capacity for excellence far beyond that of their chronological peers, and whose extraordinary capacities require special services and programs. In the 2007-2008 school year, there were 3,773 GATE students in the Elk Grove Unified School District. Each school submits a GATE plan and budget designed to meet the needs of their gifted and talented students. In addition, each school selects a parent and an educator to serve as a representative on the GATE Advisory Committee.

How are students identified as GATE?

The Elk Grove Unified School District GATE identification process is based on multiple criteria which consider measures of academic achievement and potential. It is designed to provide and equitable basis for entry into the GATE program for all students.

Based on the research literature, best practices from the field, and input from stakeholders in EGUSD, the following measures were selected for inclusion into the GATE Identification Matrix:

• California Standards Test scores
• Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test scores
• Grade point average
• Equity factor
• Accelerated classroom performance
• Creative ability

GATE Referral Forms are completed by your school site GATE Coordinator. GATE Referral Forms will not be accepted by the Elk Grove Unified School District Gifted and Talented Education Program unless complete with all signatures and qualifying documentation. Transfer students' evidence from other school district GATE Programs must meet the Elk Grove Unified School District criteria. Parent and site administrator signatures are required.
The following GATE services are provided at various school sites in accordance with the GATE Master Plan:

• Accelerated instruction (clustered or self contained), grades 4-6, at all elementary schools.
• Honors classes in most content areas, grades 7 - 12.
• Advanced Placement (AP) and Honors classes - high school.

Please contact your site GATE Coordinator for specific information about GATE services at your child’s school site.

Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Testing Dates for 2009-2010 Program Year:

Saturday, October 24, 2009
Future dates will be scheduled as necessary

All GATE referral applications are due to the Office of Learning Support Services by the Friday two weeks prior to the testing date.

What is the GATE Advisory Committee?

Each school designates two representatives, a parent and an educator, to the district level GATE Advisory Committee. This group meets regularly throughout the year to review GATE issues and assist with projects and activities. All parents are welcome to attend.

Officers 2009-2010:

Bill Ward, Chairperson
TBD, Chair-Elect

If you are interested in serving as a GATE Officer, please contact Alicia Canning or Tara Robinson in the Office of Learning Support Services at 686-7712.

GATE Parent Advisory Committee Meetings for 2009-2010:

Setember 10, 2009 6:00-7:30 pm

Note: All meetings will be held in the Robert L. Trigg Education Center Board Room.

GATE Master Plan

GATE LEGISLATION

On January 1, 2001, Assembly Bill 2313, Gifted and Talented Pupils, became law and changed some of the existing regulations for GATE programs throughout the state – the first changes in 20 years. These are the highlights of the changes that affect Elk Grove Unified:

• Apportionment of funds will now be a per-pupil amount based on average daily attendance rather than on the number of participating pupils.
  
• There is no longer the 200 minute per week requirement for gifted and talented programs – rather, the new law requires that programs be "planned and organized as an integrated differentiated learning experience within the regular school day, and augmented with other differentiated activities related to the core curriculum."
  
• The previous requirement that no GATE funds be used for field trip costs is no longer in the law. This means that waivers to the State Board of Education do not need to be submitted – as long as the travel is within the state of California. If any district funds are used for out of state travel, it is necessary to utilize the General Waiver process that needs approval of the Board of Education.