All students are eligible to be nominated for GATE, regardless of socioeconomic, linguistic or cultural background, and/or disabilities. The district recognizes that GATE students have unique characteristics, educational needs and social/emotional needs.

Formal GATE identification begins in second grade. Advanced learners in grades K-1 may be informally identified and receive curriculum modifications. To ensure equal access to the program, the district screens all third grade students for program eligibility. Students in grades 2 and 4-10 may also be referred by parents, teachers or district support staff for GATE evaluation.

Students are identified as eligible for GATE services using a GATE Rating Scale, with points assigned on the basis of the following criteria:

1.  The student's score on the Raven Progressive Matrices, a non-verbal, non-linguistic test of mental reasoning ability.*
2.  The student's proficiency level in Math and English/Language Arts on the California Standards Tests (CST).
3.  The student's scores on nationally normed achievement tests.
4.  Teacher information.
5.  Parent information.

*If an intelligence test, such as the WISC, has been administered by district staff for purposes of another evaluation, that score may be substituted for the Raven score.

Using the criteria above, a student may be identified for the GATE program in one of the following categories:
     Intellectual
     High Achievement
     Specific Academic (Math or Reading)
     Multi-Dimensional

Provisional Status
Students who score within an established point range that is just below the qualifying range for Regular GATE placement may be placed in the program provisionally.  Provisionally placed students receive regular GATE services, and are reevaluated for program eligibility at a later date.  Second grade provisional GATE students will be reevaluated when they are in third grade.  Other provisional students are reevaluated before entering 7th grade if they are in elementary school, or before entering 9th grade if they are middle school students.  No students are placed provisionally at the high school level.

Transferring Student Policy
Students moving into WJUSD who were identified as GATE students in another district may be eligible for GATE services. Please refer to the district's GATE Transferring Student Policy.