Q: How does my child qualify for the G.A.T.E. program?
Qualification for the G.A.T.E. program is generated for 3rd - 5th grade students.

1. Students with a combined GPA of 3.75 or higher in the areas of reading and math for Trimesters 1 and 2 qualify to take the CoGAT (Cognitives Ability Test) sometime in May. This information is generated by the district office and a list provided to the school site.
   
   *** If students took the test in previous years and did not qualify, they must requalify to take the test again with the 3.75 GPA or higher and have previously scored in the 85th - 89th percentile. If students scored below the 85th percentile, they will not be able to take the test again.

2. The students will receive a letter/permission slip in March/April providing testing information. The CoGAT will be administered at the school site during the school day. The letter/permission slip will contain specific information.

3. Parents will be notified of their child's qualification or non-qualification at the end of summer by mail. The school site will be provided with scores at the beginning of the school year and the G.A.T.E. Facilitator will be able to answer any qualification or score questions you may have.

Q: What if my child does qualify for the G.A.T.E. program?
Once your child has been identified as G.A.T.E., your child will continue to receive differentiated instruction within the classroom. The classroom is where your child's teacher is using various strategies, learning tools, technology, Kagan Cooperative Group, and the Common Core State Standards to challenge your child and differentiate based on their individual needs.

There may be after or before school sessions held during the school year to encourage your child to participate in activities or events, they may not have the time or chance to be exposed to. It will also give your child an opportunity to spend more time with other students who think the same way they do. Those sessions will be announced with flyers being sent home or by email.

Q: Now that my child is qualified, do they have to requalify every year?
Once your child is qualified as G.A.T.E., they are qualified all the way through 8th grade. They do not have to requalify every year. When they are almost ready to start high school, your middle school G.A.T.E. Facilitator will let you know the process for high school.

Q: What if my child doesn't qualify?
If your child does not qualify for G.A.T.E., they may be considered for G.A.T.E. the following year. Students are only able to retake the CoGAT one time. They will have to requalify to take the test by achieving the 3.75 GPA for Trimesters 1 and 2 and have previously scored in the 85th - 89th percentile. If they scored below the 85th percentile, they will be unable to take the test.

Q: Who can I ask if I have any questions?
Your G.A.T.E. facilitators at Falcon Ridge Elementary are Peggy Kinsey and Jenny DeAngelo. Click their names to reach their contact