Program Goals

for Elementary/Intermediate

GATE

Students participating in the

elementary gifted enrichment

program will:

1.Explore and develop

potential interest areas.

2. Understand and apply the

skills of creative thinking.

3. Use sequential thinking

processes and develop

confidence in their analytical

thinking skills.

4.Combine the skills of

creative and critical thinking

and apply them to problem-

solving situations.

5. Develop and strengthen

research skills.

6. Develop social and

leadership skills.

Gifted and

Talented

Education

National Association of Gifted Children

www.nagc.org

Oklahoma Association of Gifted and Talented

www.oagtc.org

The Survival Guide for Gifted Kids

by Judy Galbraith

The Survival Guide for Parents of Gifted Kids: How to Understand, Live With, and Stick Up for Your Gifted Child

by Sally Yahnke Walker

For more information, visit our website at

http://www.mustangps.org/GiftedandTalented.aspx

GATE Teachers:

Terri Dill - Lakehoma, Prairie View, Riverwood

Lea Johnson - Centennial, Mustang Elementary, Trails

Crystal Rumbaugh - Creek, Prairie View, Valley

in Mustang

Public Schools

GATE PHILOSOPHY

The gifted and talented program of

Mustang Public Schools, GATE, is an

integral part of our commitment to

provide for the unique needs, interests,

skills and talents of all students. We

believe that identified gifted and talented

youth need differentiated instructional

strategies, material and expectations

which take into account their special

abilities and potential. The gifted and

talented program should contribute to

each student’s development in the areas

of talents and abilities, self-concept, social

acceptance, and skills related to

independent study, research, creativity,

performance, critical thinking, and

problem solving. GATE is intended to

enhance and enrich concomitant

experiences in regular and accelerated

classrooms, as well as allow for an

expansion of the existing curriculum. The

development of life-long learning

processes is the purpose of GATE, as

students are challenged to develop their

abilities for both personal fulfillment and

significant contributions to society.

Every child is unique.

Each has different abilities and strengths.

Academically gifted and talented children have exceptional talents

and cognitive abilities that are well above others their same age.

Parents may notice their child’s

special abilities first at home. Perhaps the child talks very early and is highly expressive. He/

she may read, write, or demonstrate an understanding

of mathematics very early.

Often gifted children are overly curious and seek to understand

complex concepts. They may have unusual abilities to problem solve, reason, strategize, or invent and demonstrate deeper insight than

their peers.

Referrals for any student in grades K -12 can be made to the counselor of the appropriate site. Data will be collected on the referred student and may include scores on standardized, ability, and achievement tests, grades, project portfolios, and additional information as necessary. Referral information and a signed parent permission to evaluate form will be required before evaluation begins. Students entering the school district who have been placed in a gifted and talented program in another district will be screened for placement in the GATE program and will be placed if the student meets the criteria established by Mustang Public Schools.