Washington Unified School District

The Washington Unified School District recognizes the importance of a quality Gifted and Talented Education Program (GATE). Our principals, teachers, and support staff work diligently to meet the needs of the gifted students by employing the Schoolwide Cluster Group Model. (SCGM) This is a researched inclusion model that provides services through differentiation within the classroom for gifted students based on their individual strengths and needs.

Each spring, we do the initial assessment using the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT3) in third grade. Students identified as GATE will be notified by either the teacher or the district. In fourth grade, teachers of those identified as GATE will fill out a Differentiated Education Plan, which will be shared with the parent. If your child qualified for GATE in another public school district, we can transfer that eligibility to WUSD with documentation. Please have it submitted to the Educational Services Department. 

GATE identified elementary children are provided services by their home school utilizing the cluster grouping model and differentiation strategies.  Differentiation is an effective approach to teaching and learning. It modifies the curriculum content and/or teaching methodologies used with the core curriculum so that students may learn at their own ability levels and at their own pace. Strategies used may include but are not limited to flexible grouping, accelerated learning, in-depth study, depth of complexity, or tiered assignments. Differentiated Education Plans are developed for each GATE identified student through a collaborative process that includes teachers, specialists, school administration, and input from parents.

In high school, GATE identified students are served through enrollment in advanced coursework, including Advanced Placement classes where students can earn college credit by passing AP exams. Your high school counselor can help your student develop a four-year plan that fits his or her individual needs. Some students benefit from taking college courses while they are still in high school, or from internships in areas of interest. 

For information about GATE testing and school and district GATE services, please contact your child's school principal or Educational Services at (916) 375-7604 ext. 4011.