Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Do I ask for GATE (the program) testing?

Our DS is getting tested at the beginning of April for a prospective grade skip to 3rd grade. In California they do not test for the actual GATE program till the end of 2nd grade. Since he is in a 1st grade classroom the invitiation won't go out to him unless I ask for testing.

Kind of silly but should I ask for a GATE invitaion/testing? Our GATE program is basically a twice a month pull-out fun activity type of thing. It is multi-grade. So there is a possibility he will be in the same class as my dd (6th grade next year).

I know the IAS caution's about taking into account sibling's reaction's. I haven't discussed it with dd yet but I do not think she will object. I suspect ds and dd would enjoy the program.

Luckily your dd is far enough ahead grade-wise from your ds that the sibling jealousy might not be as much of an issue. Plus, maybe the different sex thing might help it too (Dottie has a daughter in the same grade as son and they seem to be more at ease than my two sons who are 2 grades apart & only sharing math class).

Definitely ask for the testing--worst case, they say no, right?