">Damascus Middle School
GATE Program
2011-2012
Scroll down to see current events and announcements.
Gifted And Talented Education (GATE) is an umbrella term used to describe
the program that serves the needs of gifted and talented students in Washington
County Schools. The services include differentiated instruction, enrichment
activities commonly called EPIC (Expansion Programs for Individual
Capabilities), and other associated middle and high school activities, including
Governor’s Schools, regional and state band and chorus, and Advanced
Placement classes.
Instruction is differentiated when the teacher adapts coursework to challenge
gifted students within the context of the classroom.
MIDDLE SCHOOL GATE PROGRAMS
Middle School - Programs for middle school age gifted
students are based upon differentiated classroom
instruction. Acceleration and enrichment are offered
as deemed necessary. Gifted education funds pay for
fees and other expenses permitting eligible students to participate in the
Regional and State competitions for band and chorus. Students who qualify
may enroll in World Geography, Algebra I & Spanish I for high school
credit. Middle school students are eligible to attend the Emory & Henry
Summer Scholars program, along with the Washington County Summer
GATE Camp.
IDENTIFICATION PROCESS
Students are referred for the Gifted Identification Process by screening of
standardized test scores, as well as by referrals from school staff, parents,
and students. The areas of giftedness served include: General Intellectual
Aptitude (K-12), Specific Academic Aptitude (6-12), Visual and Performing
Arts (6-12), and Technical and Practical Arts (9-12).
Following the screening process, students are evaluated using a combination
of objective testing, subjective rating from teachers and parents, and
examination of the student’s work. Upon scoring, the results are graphed.
Determination of eligibility is made without weighing any one measure more
than another. An appeals process for identification decisions is available.
Once a student is identified as gifted, he/she is eligible to remain in the
program until he/she graduates from high school. Students who transfer
and have been receiving services for gifted education from a district outside
the county are referred for evaluation. They are then evaluated for GATE.
A student may cease to participate in the GATE program through parental,
teacher or staff request, following appropriate procedures.
Washington County Schools GATE information. Click on handbook for parent information.
GATE students travelled to New York City las a culminating activity to their unit on Immigration. Students toured the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Little Italy, China Town, and two Broadway productions.
Current Announcements are listed below.
This year we are studying the Amish culture and plan to take a culminating trip to Lancaster, PA in April, 2012. Students are studying various aspects of the Amish culture such as barn raising, living with no electricity, farming, roles of women, religion, life style, canning, rumspringa, dating, dress, language, and community. We recently conducted a canning unit. Our next unit will be a handicraft unit, "Knitting". Students will learn how to knit using a loom. Students also attended the National Story Telling Festival in Jonesborough, TN. We had a great day listening to the best story tellers in the world. Our next trip will be to the Barter Theater in early December. The GATE candle sale will begin the first of November. This is our annual fundraiser where students can earn money toward the price of their GATE trip. Look for details to come home.
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