My son did not test as well as he should have on the GATE test, and I'm wondering whether I should appeal as we do have another test that shows he is HG+.

If your child is in the GATE program, either the normal GATE or the HG+ GATE in the Los Angeles Unified School District, please let me know what your experience has been.

Waits, thanks so much for answering..

I thought you could only get it one of four ways:

OLSAT (Achievement)
IQ test (Intellectual)
CST test scores above a certain number in both categories (moot now that we have changed to common core and no longer get those tests) -again achievement
For talented, there is a portfolio that has to be submitted to the powers that be and approved.

I didn't know it could be on teacher recommendation, I thought that was just to get the IQ test...?

Maybe the applicable school just lets them into GATE without the orange folder? Is that what you mean?

If this is true, it makes me feel better as that means that teachers (who arguably spend a lot of time with the kids) and who would really know what kind of differentiation they would need would have some say about it.

Ah now I see... well thanks so much Waits! Do your friends think that the program is a good one? Is it working for them?

I do know some parents that sign the papers without realizing they've signed anything, BUT they also send home something home a couple of days before that says on such and such a day your child will be tested for admission into GATE (at least for the IQ test) and to make sure the child gets a good nights sleep and eats a good breakfast. So I would find it hard to believe they would miss that.

I think if any of these kids are in the 3rd grade that they could also have gotten in via the OLSAT which is given to all the kids like the CSTs were. A parent might not realize that the OLSAT was for GATE.

CUT, thanks for posting. What has been your experience in the GATE program? I'm trying to figure out whether it is worth it to appeal...

I'm glad to hear your child enjoys the program! I am still pondering whether to try and go back and insist on a redo with another instrument..