Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions
of students and parents.
- How can I have my child tested for GATE?
- What if my child attends a private school?
- What test will my child be given?
- What score is required for GATE?
- What other measures are used to qualify a student for GATE?
- How often can my child take the OLSAT/NNAT?
- Does my student have to enter the magnet program to participate in GATE?
- If my child did not get a high enough score on the OLSAT/NNAT, should I have my child take the test again next year?
- If my child did not qualify for GATE but did score above the 89th percentile, what should I do now?
- If my child's STAR scores have improved and the OLSAT results are above the 89th percentile, do I have to notify anyone or will the District automatically re-evaluate my child for placement in the GATE program?
- What can I do if the STAR and OLSAT/NNAT scores are within the required range but my child still isn't accepted? Can I request that the teacher's survey be re-evaluated?
- Is there a trial or probationary acceptance into the GATE program?
- My child scored at the 89th percentile on the OLSAT/NNAT and has the other scores to qualify, but will he/she be able to keep up with the students that scored higher? Should I just keep my child in regular education?
- My child did not qualify to enter the program in the third grade and is now in 4th (or above) and is qualified. Should I enter my child into the program now even though other GATE students have been learning at a different pace? Is my child too far behind to catch up and be successful in the GATE program?
How can I have my child tested for GATE?
All second grade students and any students who are new to Ocean
View School District are tested each year.
The test will only be administered with parent permission; written
consent must be on file at the school in order for students to be
assessed.
Please contact your school principal for information regarding
testing dates and times. See Calendar page.
What if my child attends a private school?
If you live within the Ocean View School District, you may contact
your home school site and have your child assessed during the
designated testing period.
What test will my child be given?
The Otis-Lennon School Ability Test, 8th Edition (OLSAT)is
adminstered to students whose primary language is English.
This test takes about one hour to administer and measures verbal,
quantitative, and figural reasoning skills.
Students designated as Limited English Proficient (LEP)or
Redesignated Fluent English Profienct (R-FEP) will be assessed
using the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT). This test
measures Pattern Completion, Reasoning by Analogy, Serial
Reasoning, and Spatial Visualization skills.
These tests are abilities tests, not achievement tests.
What score is required for GATE?
Students must have a Total National Percentile Rank score of 89%
or above to be considered for GATE placement.
What other measures are used to qualify a student for GATE?
The OVSD criteria for GATE includes the OLSAT/NNAT score
(89% and above); the California Standards Test (STAR) results
for English/Language Arts and Math; District Benchmark Assessments
for Grade 2; and a Teacher Survey of Gifted Characteristics.
See GATE Criteria in the Documents folder.
How often can my child take the OLSAT/NNAT?
Parents and/or teachers may request that a student be re-tested,
after one calendar year. Example: If student took the test in
January 2010, he/she could not retake the test until January 2011.
Does my student have to enter the magnet program to participate in GATE?
No, students and parents of those who qualify for the District
GATE program may choose to participate in either the magnet or
cluster program. Contact your child's teacher or the principal
at your home school site to learn more about how the curriculum
is differentiated for GATE students.
If my child did not get a high enough score on the OLSAT/NNAT, should I have my child take the test again next year?
This is a personal decision. If the student scored below the 89th
percentile a parent should consider the child's score when making
this decision. Was the score within a reasonable range (80s) that
he/she might score 89 or higher if tested again? Were there any
extenuating circumstances that would lead a parent to believe the
score was a one time anomoly and not indicative of the student's
ability?
If the student scored between the 89th and 95th percentile and
didnot qualify due to the CST scores and the parent wants to
retest to see if the student will score at the 96th percentile or
higher for Intellectual Placement, they should consider that their
child could score LOWER the next time. When considering a student
for GATE identification, we use the most current OLSAT score.
If my child did not qualify for GATE but did score above the 89th percentile, what should I do now?
GATE identification is made based on the review of multiple
assessment measures: OLSAT/NNAT (abilities test), and California
Standards Test (STAR) scores for English/language arts and math;
District Benchmark Assessments for Grade 2 (achievement tests);
and a Teacher Survey of Gifted Characteristics scores.
When a student scores at the 89th percentile or higher but does
not qualify for GATE, the one criteria that can be influenced by
parents are CST scores.
Parents might want to work with their student and monitor
their progress in ELA and math throughout the school year in
order for the CST scores to improve. Also, reviewing
standardized test taking skills can also be helpful in
preparation for the CSTs.
If my child's STAR scores have improved and the OLSAT results are above the 89th percentile, do I have to notify anyone or will the District automatically re-evaluate my child for placement in the GATE program?
Second grade students who score above the 89th on the OLSAT/NNAT,
but do not qualify for GATE are monitored until they begin middle
school. If you think your child might qualify, please do not
hesitate to contact the GATE Office.
What can I do if the STAR and OLSAT/NNAT scores are within the required range but my child still isn't accepted? Can I request that the teacher's survey be re-evaluated?
The teacher survey may be updated annually at the parent's request.
Is there a trial or probationary acceptance into the GATE program?
Trial placements are made only in the GATE Magnet Program for
students who were GATE identified in another school district.
On rare occasions, trial placements are offered in other cases,
but, again, only in the GATE Magnet Program at Circle View
Elementary or Mesa View Middle School.
My child scored at the 89th percentile on the OLSAT/NNAT and has the other scores to qualify, but will he/she be able to keep up with the students that scored higher? Should I just keep my child in regular education?
GATE program participation is a personal decision. Unless a
parent has grave concerns about his/her child's ability to keep
up in the GATE program, it is recommended that the students give
it a try. While there may be a period of adjustment, most
students thrive. If later a parent/student decides that
participation in a GATE program is not appropriate for the the
student, the parent may request in writing for his/her child not
to participate.
My child did not qualify to enter the program in the third grade and is now in 4th (or above) and is qualified. Should I enter my child into the program now even though other GATE students have been learning at a different pace? Is my child too far behind to catch up and be successful in the GATE program?
See answer above. Again, in most cases, after a period of
adjustment, most students thrive in the GATE program.