What is GATE?

​GATE stands for Gifted and Talented Education. Gifted Education refers to the special practices, procedures and theories used in the education of children who have been identified as gifted or talented. The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) defines gifted as "individuals who demonstrate outstanding aptitude (an exceptional ability to learn or reason) or competence (documented performance or achievement in the top 10% of the population) in one or more domains."​

When can I take the GATE test?

​GATE testing is done throughout the year, August through April. The first part of the GATE test (NNAT-3) is done in groups of 1-4 students and takes about 30 minutes to complete. The second part of the GATE test (KBIT-2) is conducted individually and takes about 20 minutes. When testing is complete, test documents are sent for review. It usually takes a couple of weeks for students to get their test results.

Although anyone can refer a student to the GATE Program, referrals are usually made by a teacher or parent. After receiving a referral, the GATE Specialist reviews the student's cumulative records and current classroom data to determine the appropriateness of the referral. A CCSD student can only be tested twice for GATE, with the second test occurring at least 6 months after the initial test. ​

Since GATE services start in 3rd grade, it is important to identify second grade students who will be in the GATE program at the start of the new school year. At Title 1 schools, all second grade students participate in online GATE screening in January & February. Second grade students who score at or above the 98th percentile on the NNAT-3 online assessment qualify for GATE services (which begin in third grade). Second grade students who score at or above the 80th percentile on the screening are considered GATE referrals and will be tested by the GATE Specialist.

​GATE and TAGS students do not retest every year. Once a student qualifies for gifted services, they are coded in the CCSD computer system as GATE or TAGS. Gifted coding stays with a student through elementary school. There is no GATE program in middle school. Usually, GATE students enroll in accelerated or advanced classes. 

What kind of questions are on the GATE test?

The Clark County School District uses two assessments to determine eligibility for GATE: the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT) and the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (KBIT). Depending on their scores, students qualify for GATE, TAGS, or no gifted services. Since GATE testing measures general intellectual ability and intelligence, there's no way to study for the GATE test.
  • ​Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test- 3rd Edition
The NNAT-3 uses abstract shapes and designs to assess a student's nonverbal reasoning and general problem solving skills. The NNAT-3 has 48 questions and takes about 30 minutes to complete. The items on this test assess ability without requiring the student to read, write, or speak. Because of its design, the NNAT-3 is fair and appropriate for students with hearing, language, motor, or color vision impairments.​
  • Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test- 2nd Edition
The KBIT-2 is an individually administered measure of intelligence that takes about 20 minutes to complete. The Clark County School District uses two components of the KBIT-2 to determine GATE eligibility: verbal knowledge (receptive vocabulary) and riddles (verbal comprehension, reasoning, and vocabulary knowledge).

What's the difference between GATE and TAGS?
GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) and TAGS (Title 1 Alternative Gifted Services) are two programs offered by the Gifted Education department of the Clark County School District. Students qualify for GATE and TAGS based on their NNAT-3 and KBIT-2 test scores.

  • GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) is available at all CCSD elementary schools for students in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades. A student can qualify for GATE by scoring at or above the 98th percentile on the NNAT-3 or KBIT-2 or by earning at least 15 points on a multiple criteria matrix.
​
  • TAGS (Title 1 Alternative Gifted Services) is only available at Title 1 elementary schools. Students who qualify for TAGS score between the 90th and 97th percentiles on the NNAT-3 or KBIT-2.

Will I still be in GATE if I change schools?

When GATE & TAGS students transfer to another CCSD school, their gifted status transfers too.
GATE and TAGS students are coded in the CCSD database so there is no reason to retest for GATE at the new school. Once qualified, a student is eligible for gifted services at any CCSD elementary school. 

When GATE & TAGS students move out of state, they might be tested at their new school.
Every state has their own identification process for GATE services. Parents should contact the new, out of state school for more information. When requested, a student’s GATE paperwork will be forwarded to the new school.

When TAGS students transfer to a CCSD school that is not Title 1, they no longer receive services.
Although many CCSD elementary schools are Title 1, some are not. Only Title 1 elementary schools have a TAGS program. Unfortunately, if the new school does not have TAGS, the student’s gifted services stop.

​When GATE & TAGS students move to Las Vegas from another state, they might be tested at their new school.
Since every state has their own identification process for GATE services, bringing copies of GATE paperwork to registration or the first day of school can speed up the GATE placement process.

What do you do in GATE?
To dig deeper into their grade level curriculum, GATE students work on projects that last for extended periods of time, have multiple components, and require interacting with other students in order to complete them. To set students up for success, all of our activities focus on four learning objectives.
1. I am learning how to be a problem solver
who thinks and tries before giving up or asking for help.

2. I am learning how to be a more efficient team member
​who talks to and works with a partner.

3. I am learning how to be a flexible thinker
who can let go of an idea and move on to another.

4. I am learning how to be a fluent thinker
who generates and shares lots of ideas.

What is flexible thinking?

Flexible thinking is the ability to change from one thought process to another without being thrown off course. According to Edward de Bono's Habits of Mind, "Successful people are good at flexible thinking. They are able to alter perspectives, consider alternative points of view and change their minds when the data is no longer supporting their ideas. However, being flexible in thinking doesn't necessarily mean you're always changing your mind. It means you're open to changing your mind, to considering alternatives, weighing up options and then choosing the best way forward."

​Here are some articles about flexible thinking:

Which websites have information for parents of gifted children?


  • SENG... Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted
   
  • Gifted Exchange... ideas from the Davidson Institute for Talent Development about schooling, parenting, and education

  • Gifted Parenting Support... information about parenting and educating gifted and talented children
 
  • Byrdseed... creativity, accelerated learning, literature, and more
 

Do you get a report card in GATE?

GATE progress reports are sent home twice a year with a student's general education report cards. Because the activities we do in GATE focus on thinking processes, students are evaluated on those skills. 
Critical Thinking Skills
CR1- Asks questions and identifies problems.
CR2- Generates multiple alternative solutions.
CR3- Selects best alternative to solve problem.
Creative Thinking Skills
CRE1- Generates many possible ideas.
CRE2- Is flexible in thinking.
CRE3- Has an original approach.
Learning Skills
LS1- Commits to tasks.
LS2- Manages time effectively.
LS3- Can explain thinking processes.
LS4- Cooperates and collaborates in group work.

What's on the GATE progress report?
The highlighted boxes on the GATE progress report show the student's current proficiency levels for the categories listed on the left side of the page.  
The differences in the rubric levels of the GATE progress report are very subtle. Since GATE activities are designed to build and develop thinking and learning skills, most students work at the approaching or meets levels.