GATE Testing

Scholars are identified for the Duncanville Independent School District Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Program through a three step process:

1. Recommendation-  Scholars can be nominated by parents, teachers, counselors, administrators, or anyone who is familiar with the scholar’s abilities. The parent nomination form surveys their scholar's abilities along with consenting to testing. This form is required for testing: 
   • Nomination Form in English
   • Nomination Form in Spanish
2. Screening - A cognitive assessment will be administered to determine cognitive potential. Scholars who exhibit a high performance will be given additional assessments. (Spanish assessments are available) 

   • In order to qualify for GATE, nominees are required to demonstrate above-average performance in at least three of the following areas:

     • Verbal Ability 
     • Quantitative Ability
     • Nonverbal Ability
     • Academic performance (Mathematics and English Language Arts)
     • Standardized Achievement 
3. Placement - a formal placement will take place for scholars who met the district criteria. Documentation will be sent home and kept in a secured central office.
   • Scholars who are high performing but did not meet the district criteria will have their data brought before the campus committee for placement review. 

Transfer scholars with comparable test scores are eligible for identification as gifted and talented. Transfer students that do not have comparable qualifying test scores are subject to nomination and placement in GATE program. 

The Duncanville ISD policy related to furlough allows students to have a leave of absence from the GATE program services for specified reasons and for a certain period of time without being exited. Furloughs are considered on a case-by-case basis.