The GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) program for middle school students

The suggested placement criteria for middle school GATE classes include the following:

RELA (Reading English Language Arts)*
- MSA score of 3
- SRI (Scholastic Reading Inventory) National Percentile/Stanine > 80% / 8 or 9
- Teacher Recommendation
*two of three criteria match for placement recommendation

Math

While there is not a designated GATE math course at any middle school grade, the above grade level courses (Pre-Algebra in grade 6, Algebra I CM & Algebra I Part I in grade 7, Algebra II/Trig CM & Algebra I Part II in grade 8), the following recommendations are to be used to supplement additional data collected by the teacher:

Grade 6 - Pre Algebra
Advanced or High Proficient on Grade 6 MSA (top 25%)
80% or high cumulative average on 5th grade benchmarks
Final grade of B or better in math grade 5

Grade 7 - Algebra I CM
Advanced or High Proficient on grade 6 MSA (top 25%)
Final grade of B or better in Pre Algebra grade 6
85% or higher on Iowa Algebra Readiness Assessment

Grade 7 - Algebra I Part I
Proficient on grade 6 MSA
Final grade of B or better in grade 6 (Math 6 or Pre Alg.)
75% or higher on Iowa Algebra Readiness Assessment

Grade 8 - Algebra II/Trig CM
Advanced or High Proficient on grade 7 MSA (Top 25%)
Final grade of C or better in Algebra I CM

Grade 8 - Algebra I Part II
Advanced or High Proficient on grade 7 MSA (Top 25%)
Final grade of C or better in Algebra I Part I

Science and Social Studies - These GATE courses are scheduled in accord with the RELA placement.

Please note that these placement criteria suggestions are applicable for all students in the grade level.

Please feel free to contact any of the following persons for more information:
Your child's school principal
Kim Miles - Director of Secondary Education
Ruth Malone - Director of Curriculum and Professional Development