Program Coordinator
The Superintendent or designee shall appoint a district coordinator who has demonstrated experience and knowledge in gifted education to oversee implementation of the district's gifted and talented education (GATE) program, including student identification procedures, recordkeeping, and other duties as assigned.
(cf. 4131 - Staff Development)
(cf. 4331 - Staff Development)
The Superintendent or designee also may appoint, for each school site, a GATE coordinator who shall be responsible for implementation of program services at that school site.
Identification of Gifted and Talented Students
Students may be recommended for the GATE program by administrators, teachers, counselors, other staff, or parents/guardians. Parent/guardian consent shall be obtained before administering any assessments for the sole purpose of identifying students for this program or for placing a student in the program.
The Superintendent or designee shall select students for the program based on their demonstrated or potential ability for high performance in categories identified by the Governing Board, as evidenced by any of the following indicators:
1. School, class, and individual student records
2. Individual tests, including summary and evaluation by a credentialed school psychologist
3. Group tests
4. Interviews and questionnaires of teachers, parents/guardians, and others
5. Student portfolios
6. Opinions of professional persons
(cf. 5121 - Grades/Evaluation of Student Achievement)
(cf. 6162.5 - Student Assessment)
(cf. 6164.2 - Guidance/Counseling Services)
The Superintendent or designee shall base selection decisions upon the evaluation of pertinent evidence by the principal or designee, a classroom teacher familiar with the student's work, and, when appropriate, a credentialed school psychologist and/or other
expert. These persons may review screening, identification, and placement data and shall meet when necessary to resolve any differences in assessment and recommendations. In reviewing evidence of a student's abilities, the Superintendent or designee also shall consider the economic, linguistic, and cultural characteristics of the student's background.
(cf. 0410 - Nondiscrimination in District Programs and Activities)
(cf. 6174 - Education for English Language Learners)
A student who transfers into the district shall be considered for the GATE program if he/she was identified as a gifted and talented student in his/her previous district or school or is recommended for the program. The Superintendent or designee may verify that the GATE program would be an appropriate placement for the student by examining evidence of the student's abilities based on any of the indicators listed above.
Because students who do not initially meet district criteria for the GATE program may become eligible at a later grade level, the district may re-examine student eligibility whenever the district receives a referral or the Superintendent or designee determines it to be in the student's best interest.
Regulation FRANKLIN-MCKINLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
approved: November 18, 2014 San Jose, California