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Irvine Unified School District GATE and APAAS Programs

What are the Irvine Unified School District Gifted Programs?

Irvine Unified School District provides gifted services for students in 4th-8th grade, GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) and APAAS (Alternative Program for Academically Advanced Students). The programs are designed to meet the academic, social, and emotional needs of advanced learners.

All students are screened for GATE and APAAS services in 3rd-6th grades each year. The district uses the Multiple Criteria Measure screening process. Testing is done throughout the year. The schools do not accept referrals from teachers or parents.

To qualify for services in the GATE program, students must score within the top 20% of their grade level. The following criteria is used to determine eligibility.

Qualifying for Irvine Unified School District GATE Program

To qualify for services in the GATE program, students must score within the top 20% of their grade level. The following criteria is used to determine eligibility.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

The student’s grades in the four major content areas (English, Math, Science and Social Science) are translated to a standard 4 point scale and then an average is calculated.

STAR Reading and Math

Winter and spring scores are used as criteria measures. Scale scores range from 0 to 1400 and are calculated based on the difficulty of questions presented to a student and the number of correct responses they provide.

Creative Writing Sample

Students are asked to write a creative story in response to a specific prompt. Writing samples are evaluated by IUSD staff for use of language, divergent thought, and idea development across a 4 point rubric.

California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP)

The California State computer adaptive tests and performance tasks assess students in English Language Arts/literacy and mathematics in grades 3-8. Due to the timing of state reporting, scores included in the MCM review are from the student’s previous grade level.

Naglieri (NNAT)

This non-verbal, culturally neutral test assesses general abilityand is administered to all students one time in third grade. NAI, Naglieri Ability Index, scores between 90 and 110 are considered to be average. Scores between 111 and 120 are considered high average. Scores between 121 and 130 are considered to be superior. Scores of 131 and above are considered to be very superior.

Otis Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT) – Fee Based Optional Test

This multiple-choice test is an optional, fee-based test offered to current IUSD students. If administered by IUSD, it can be considered as one measure of achievement.

Qualifying for Irvine Unified School District APAAS Program

To qualify for services in the APAAS program, students need to score in the top percent at their school. Results from the following tests are compiled and compared with other student results. Placement is offered to the highest scoring students until all spots are filled. The tests used to determine eligibility are:

Irvine Unified School District: 3rd Grade

Naglieri Non Verbal Ability Test
Achievement Test – Math
Achievement Test – Reading
Writing sample

Irvine Unified School District: 4th and 5th Grade

Achievement Test – Math
Achievement Test – Reading
1st and 2nd trimester grades

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Irvine Unified School District GATE Program vs. APAAS Program

Students identified as gifted and talented have two options at IUSD – the GATE program and the APAAS program. Both programs are offered to students in 4th-6th grade.

The GATE program places gifted students in clusters within a general education classroom. Teachers assess each student’s ability and make adjustments to the curriculum based on the student’s needs. The instruction the cluster groups receive includes opportunities for more in-depth and complex information.

The APAAS program is a self-contained classroom for students who prefer to use alternate creative outlets to show their proficiency and understanding of content. Students who thrive in this setting are ones who are always looking to go deeper and know more about a subject. They don’t like to take the easy way, but are always seeking other ways to understand information.

Students identified for the GATE program in elementary school can be placed in a cluster group with other GATE students when they enter middle school. These students will receive differentiated instruction appropriate to their abilities. All students in middle and high school are eligible to take Advanced Placement, Honors, College Preparatory, Career and Technical classes based on their grade level and ability.

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Deanna

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Thanks!

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