Our public elementary school had its GATE meeting for parents tonight. The principal stood up to tell us about the program and in essence her speech went like this:
1. We can't be expected to provide any differentiated instruction because it's just too complicated in a heterogeneous classroom.
2. GATE kids are "clustered" in groups of 4 to 8 within heterogeneous classrooms.
3. The kids are identified in 3rd grade. They are not allowed to be identified sooner.
4. The screening test is the CogAT which is administered en masse in the board room at the district office. She says the test is 2+ hours long and she doesn't think it's appropriate to test 8 years olds under those conditions. Very few pass.
5. We (parents) should rely on the teachers to recommend our kids for testing because the teachers know best. However, she says the teachers are reluctant to refer anyone for testing because of the high stress test conditions.
6. It doesn't really matter if your kid is identified anyway because the only type of differentiated instruction the school can provide is to extend the core curriculum. High achieving kids can get into the honors courses whether or not they are GATE identified. The GATE kids are guaranteed a spot.
7. You probably wouldn't want your kid to take honors classes anyway because the AP classes are better (more standardized, she says.)
8. The school doesn't send anyone information about CTY talent search because some people wouldn't be able to afford to send their kids.
What does it all mean? It sounds like the GATE program is lip service only! Or is she just trying to let people down easy when their kids don't get in?
On top of all this, an aquaintance was in tears at pickup time because her son (who is a 4th grader and newly identified GATE student) is miserable in the 4th grade GATE class. He doesn't want to go to school anymore, hates his teacher. His mom tried talking to the teacher who said the problem is that the boy is "too young". He is young for grade, but still within the regular age brackets.
Do I really want my daughter to be assigned to that teacher next year? There is only one GATE teacher in each grade. Do I want her to take this test? Is this just some kind of intimidation tactic so the district will have fewer GATE students to serve?
It sounds like it will be next to impossible to get any kind of differentiated instruction for my son (who is in K). I am feeling bitterly disappointed.
