Gifted and Talented Education

At the elementary school level, SCUSD offers three GATE models: 

• GATE School-Wide Cluster Model Services - Students identified to receive GATE services are clustered in a classroom with other students requiring GATE services at their own school. 
• GATE Neighborhood Model Services - Students identified for GATE services are supported through in-class differentiated learning strategies at their own school site in a general education classroom.
• GATE Cohort Model Services – Students identified for GATE services come from surrounding schools to form a self-contained GATE services classroom. GATE classes in these Cohort schools are composed of predominately GATE identified students and the cohort of students remains together from grades 2-6. 

SCUSD GATE Cohort Model Services

District GATE Cohort classes serve gifted students from surrounding schools, as well as their own students. GATE classes in GATE Centers are composed of predominately GATE identified students. 

The following schools have GATE Centers:

• Phoebe Hearst - Serves students requiring GATE services in Grades 2-6. Wait Lists are common at this school site. 
• Pony Express - Serves students requiring GATE services in Grades 2-6.                 
• Suy:U - Serves students requiring GATE services in Grades 2-6.   

GATE School-Wide Cluster Model Services

Cluster Model Programs serve gifted students from their own school. Gifted students are clustered with other GATE students in a general education classroom. 

The following schools utilize Cluster Grouping:

• Camellia Basic (Grades 2-6)
• David Lubin (Grades 2-6)
• Elder Creek (Grades 4-6)
• Golden Empire (Grades 2-6)
• Isador Cohen (Grades 2-6)
• John Bidwell (Grades 2-6)
• Martin Luther King Jr. School (Grades 2-6) 
• Matsuyama (Grades 2-6) 
• Theodore Judah (Grades 2-6)
• William Land (Grade 2-6)

GATE Neighborhood Model Services

Students identified for GATE services are supported through in-class differentiated learning strategies at their own school site in a general education classroom.

The following schools utilize this model:

• Hollywood Park (Grades 2-6)
• Sutterville (Grades 2-6)
• Tahoe (Grades 2-6)

Middle School Advanced Classes

All Middle Schools offer Advanced classes in the core subject areas: English/Language Arts, Science, History and Math.  These classes include students identified for GATE services as well as students who have demonstrated high achievement or high potential based on a districtwide recommendation process. Placement in these classes is recommended based on grades, statewide assessment results, student interest, and recommendations (from either a family member or teacher).

Advanced Placement (AP) Classes

Advanced Placement (AP) college-level courses and exams offer high school students the opportunity to earn college credit, stand out in the competitive college admission process and prepare for the rigors of college through challenging classes. AP courses emphasize the skills and habits needed to be successful in higher education, including demanding writing skills, problem-solving abilities, time management discipline and sharpened study habits. Most four-year colleges in the United States and colleges in more than 60 other countries give students credit, advanced placement or both on the basis of AP Exam scores. By entering college with AP credits, students have the time to move into upper level courses, pursue a double-major or study abroad.

SCUSD covers all AP Exam Fees for all enrolled SCUSD students.

Research shows that AP experience benefit teens in several important ways:

• AP students are more likely to graduate from college in four years — students who take longer to graduate at public colleges and universities can spend up to $19,000 for each additional year.
• AP helps students qualify for scholarships — 31 percent of colleges and universities look at AP experience when determining scholarships.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Classes

Offered at Luther Burbank High School and Umoja International Academy, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IB DP) is a rigorous 2-year program for 11th and 12th grade students. Through the program they will take a carefully pre-planned sequence of courses designed to ensure that they satisfy the IB DP requirements and graduate A-G Ready.  This program enables students to stand out in the competitive college admission process and prepare for the rigors of college through challenging classes. IB courses emphasize the skills and habits needed to be successful in higher education, including demanding writing skills, problem-solving abilities, time management discipline and sharpened study habits.  

SCUSD covers all IB Exam Fees for all enrolled SCUSD students.

Honors Classes

Available to students in 10th-12th grades, Honors classes are GPA weighted courses. These classes offer students the chance to earn a weighted GPA and study content that is in their interest area more deeply. Many of these courses are part of unique learner pathways at our comprehensive high schools.

Universal Gifted Education Screening Process Begins after Winter Break

The first step in the screening process for Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) services is a cognitive abilities assessment administered to SCUSD students each January.

In the 25-26 school year, all* students in grades 1 and 3 will be screened for potential GATE services. 

* Dependent Charter Schools, Independent Charter Schools, and Waldorf Inspired Schools may not participate. Contact your school to learn more. 

 

SCUSD utilizes multiple measures to identify students for services. The initial screening assessment (CogAT) is only one part of the GATE screening process. 

• SCUSD uses the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) Form 7 for all grades. Learn more about the CogAT. 
• Composite scores are not considered. Each domain (Verbal, Quantitative, and Non-Verbal) is considered independently.
• The CogAT is administered by classroom teachers over a series of days. 
• Students participate via Chromebooks.

Notification of GATE Screening assessment results and GATE Identification status will happen in the month of June.

Approximate Screening Timeline

August 

• Screening Session for new students to SCUSD, in grades 4-6. (Please submit Screening Request Form)  

October

• Referral Screening Session for new students to SCUSD or students in grades 4-6. (Please submit Screening Request Form).

December

• Universal Screening Notification Letters distributed by school sites to 1st and 3rd grade families. 
• School Sites prepare for winter GATE screening.

January

• GATE Screening (CogAT) for 1st and 3rd graders — ALL Schools*

* Dependent Charter Schools, Independent Charter Schools, and Waldorf Inspired Schools may not participate. Contact your school to learn more. 

 

February

• Make-up GATE Screening, if needed (at school sites).
• Referral Screening Session for new students to SCUSD or students in grades 1-6 who are not currently attending SCUSD schools, but reside in district. (Must submit Screening Request Form by January 31st to participate.)

March/April

• GATE Screening Assessments scored by publisher.
• Additional data collected and reviewed as a part of GATE determination process.
• Referral Screening Session for new students to SCUSD or students in grades 1-6 who are not currently attending SCUSD schools, but reside in district. (Must submit Screening Request Form by March 31st to participate.)

June

• Schools and families are notified of GATE Screening Results.

July

• Deadline to request GATE Cohort Placement – Complete Request form by July.
• Lottery for GATE Cohort (If needed).
• Families are notified of GATE Cohort placements — July & August
• *In person site visits should be arranged directly with school sites.

Families Residing within SCUSD Boundaries

Students not yet identified for GATE Services in SCUSD may be referred for re-screening by either their parents/guardians or current/past teacher. Students eligible for referral include any student who is new to SCUSD, or is in 2nd grade or grades 4-6.  

Students are screened for GATE Services in elementary grades only.

The GATE Department will screen a child no more than 3 times during their educational career.

There must be at least 12-months between screenings.

Referral Screening happens on the following timeline:

4 screening sessions are scheduled during each school year:

• August – New students to SCUSD ONLY
• October – 4th-6th graders & New students to SCUSD.
• January/February – Re-Screening for 2nd & 4th through 6th graders; New students to SCUSD; 1st & 3rd grade students who reside in SCUSD boundaries, but do not attend SCUSD schools (i.e. Parish schools, Independent Charters, or other private schools)
• April – 4th-6th grade students only: New students to SCUSD; 4th-6th grade students who reside in SCUSD boundaries, but do not attend SCUSD schools (i.e. Parish schools, Independent Charters, or other private schools)

For Families Living in SCUSD Boundaries:

All parents/guardians of children residing within SCUSD boundaries, regardless of whether or not they currently attend SCUSD schools, may refer their child for GATE Services Screening.

1. Print out the Screening Referral Form 
2. Complete and sign the form.
3. Collect any relevant outside data and documentation (academic test results, GATE identification documentation from other states/districts, etc).
4. Submit the Screening Referral Form and any additional documentation to the GATE Department.
5. The GATE Office will contact parents/guardians to confirm referral screening on one of the dates listed above. 

For Families Outside of SCUSD Boundaries:

If you are in the process of moving to the greater Sacramento region and your child is already eligible for GATE services in your current school system, please contact The SCUSD GATE Department to learn more. Kari-Lofing@scusd.edu

SCUSD is not able to offer screening services to students who reside in other neighboring school districts (i.e. Natomas, Washington Unified, San Juan, or Elk Grove, etc). Please contact your local school district to learn more about their screening processes and criteria.

For SCUSD Teachers:

Contact the GATE Department to initiate the process. Kari-Lofing@SCUSD.edu

Outside Agency GATE Screening

The SCUSD Gifted Education Department does not accept privately obtained GATE screening assessment results. This includes screening administered by private practice psychologists or university testing centers. SCUSD offers a robust internal screening program for students who reside within our district boundaries.

Please contact the GATE Department to learn how your child will be assessed to determine Gifted Education Services needs. 

To provide equitable access to advanced courses, each spring, SCUSD universally screens 6th grade students for advanced course placement in middle school. Advanced courses are available in math, science, language arts and history/social studies starting in 7th grade. All students have the opportunity to qualify for any or all advanced courses, through district-wide placement criteria.

To recommend a rising 7th grade student for any of the advanced middle school courses, please submit the Online Recommendation Form.

TO newly recommend a rising 8th grader for advanced middle school courses, please submit the Online Recommendation Form for Rising 8th graders. 

The Recommendation Form may be submitted by a parent/guardian, teacher, or administrator — Forms will close on May 30, 2025

Parent Information Night Slides

Timeline for Recommendation Process

• Early April – Parent Letters available
• April – Testing Window for Math Placement Test (6th grade only)
• Until May 30, 2025 – Recommendation Forms Available
• Mid-June — Placement Recommendation Data available to middle schools

Data Used for Placement Considerations

The following may be used as a part of the recommendation process:

• 5th grade CAST Score
• 6th or 7th grade SBAC Scores for ELA & Math
• 2nd Trimester Grades
• iReady Scores for Math
• GATE Status
• Recommendation Form

GATE Services Status and Notification Process

GATE screening results and screening assessment scores will be mailed to all families in grades 1 & 3. Student need for GATE services is determined through a multi-step process that includes not only the CogAT results, but also academic factors and social-emotional considerations. 

GATE services eligibility letters and CogAT score reports were mailed the week of June 30. 

Letter preparation was delayed in Printing Services.

All notifications about GATE services are sent via the US Postal Service. If you do not receive a letter by Friday, July 18th you may call the GATE Department at 916-643-9427.

All families are notified about their child’s screening assessment results and eligibility status.

The GATE Department does not share GATE screening results over the phone or via e-mail. 

School Sites are not able to discuss GATE screening results. 

Parents who wish to request a GATE Department facilitated transfer to a school providing self-contained GATE services are invited to do so. Space is limited at some sites, and students will be placed on Wait Lists if the class(es) are already full. 

Requests can be made in one of two ways:

• Call the GATE Department at 916-643-9427 for support in completing the webform.
• Complete the webform via the following link: 

https://tinyurl.com/2025GATEPlacement

Schools providing Self-Contained GATE Services for 25-26 include:

• Phoebe Hearst (Wait List availability ONLY)
• Pony Express
• Suy:U

GATE Screening for SCUSD students in grades 1 and 3 occured in January and February.

To ensure equity among students, ALL* 1st and 3rd grade students in the Sacramento City Unified School District were screened for possible Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) services identification. The district utilizes the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) as the initial screening tool in the GATE services screening process. The assessment was administered in classrooms.

Learn more about the CogAT

Students attending Dependent or Independent Charter Schools, in independent study, or those attending Waldorf Inspired Schools may not be tested. Please contact your school to learn more. 

Parents who wish to Opt Out of GATE Services Screening may do so by completing an Opt Out Form, available from your child’s school office. Or by contacting the GATE Department. 

The GATE program, “Gifted and Talented Education,” includes educational services designed to address the learning needs of students who have been identified to receive gifted and/or talented educational supports. GATE services in SCUSD are based on the most current research in gifted education.

These are in keeping with research informed best practices, and SCUSD Board Policy 6172, as California currently has no educational code related to Gifted Education services.  Differentiation of course content is achieved through added depth, complexity, novelty, and acceleration. Teachers across the district are provided with opportunities to attend on going professional learning in differentiation of instruction. 

As a parent you can: 

• Ensure that your child is actively participating in their classroom environment.
• Help your child to develop good study habits, thinking skills, and a positive attitude towards learning.
• Ensure that your child has good attendance at school.
• Stay in communication with your child’s teacher.
• Encourage your child to read as much and as widely as possible.
• Look for educational games and programs that engage your child.
• Help your child learn how to follow directions carefully.
• Help your child to embrace failure and encourage a “growth mindset.”
• Speak to your child as often as possible.
• Be aware that there is no specific preparation for an intelligence test.  Pre-exposure to similar test items may invalidate the test results.

Schools will notify parents in advance of the expected test day.  You may wish to prepare your child in any of the following ways:

• Inform your child of the upcoming test as a way for the adults to learn more about how he/she learns best.
• Assure your child that you are aware of the test and approve of their taking the test.
• Remain positive
• Staying calm will help your child stay calm. Discuss relaxation techniques that can be used if needed.
• Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and eats a healthy breakfast

If your child is not well on the morning of the test, please keep your child home.  Tests can be rescheduled for illness BUT reassessment requests are not valid because of an illness.

After the Test:

• Test scores will help determine your child’s GATE services eligibility and help guide their teachers in implementing instruction in the classroom.
• Talk to your child’s teacher/counselor regarding appropriate programs and courses.
• Discuss test results generally with your child.  
• Assure your child that all results are positive.

The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) is a multiple choice test written by Dr. David F. Lohman and published by Riverside Publishing. It is used to measure cognitive development among children and is often used to identify gifted children for services in gifted and talented programs across the United States. The CogAT was first published in 1968. The most current version of the CogAT, the CogAT Form 7, was published in 2011. The most current norms were established in 2017.

The CogAT is made up of three sections called batteries: the Verbal Battery, the Quantitative Battery, and the Nonverbal Battery. These batteries take approximately 30 minutes each and can be administered separately over a series of days. They are designed to assess specific reasoning skills in each area that correlate strongly to academic success. More specifically, the CogAT measures cognitive development, the ability to learn new tasks, and problem solving abilities. Because much of its content is nonverbal, the CogAT is also very useful for testing students who are not native English speakers. 

SCUSD uses Local Norms in our GATE Services Screening Process.

CogAT Assessment Components Explanation for Parents

Please contact the GATE Department at 916-643-2348 to learn more about how your child’s unique situation can be supported.  

Each school district in CA and each state across the nation determines their own identification practices for Gifted and Talented Education services. In order to determine whether or not your child’s GATE status is transferable, documentation of GATE status from the previous district/state will be required.  This can include: district letter verifying GATE status, and/or GATE screening assessment results. 

The SCUSD GATE department provides universal GATE services screening to all students in both 1st and 3rd grades.  

As such, your 1st grade child will be automatically re-screened in 3rd grade.  

Additionally, the GATE department will screen an SCUSD student for GATE services as many as 3 times between grades 1-6. If you would like to request that your child be re-screened prior to 3rd grade or in grades 4-6, please contact the GATE department at 916-643-2348.

It is possible to have your child screened as an 2nd grader. Because 12-months are required between screenings, your child will be eligible to be screened in January of 2nd grade.  

At that time updated cognitive, academic, and learner profile information will be collected.  

To arrange for re-screening, please either call the GATE department at: 916-643-2348 or complete the Screening Referral Form.