Annual GATE Screening Process and Timeline
1st and 3rd Grades

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Universal Gifted Education Screening Process Begins after Winter Break

The first step in the screening process for Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) services is a cognitive abilities assessment administered to SCUSD students each January.

In the 23-24 school year, all* students in grades 1 and 3 were screened for potential GATE services. 

* Dependent Charter Schools, Independent Charter Schools, and Waldorf Inspired Schools may not participate. Contact your school to learn more. 

SCUSD utilizes multiple measures to identify students for services. The initial screening assessment (CogAT) is but one part of the GATE screening process. 

  • SCUSD uses the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) Form 7 for all grades. Learn more about the CogAT. 
  • Composite scores are not considered. Each domain (Verbal, Quantitative, and Non-Verbal) is considered independently.
  • The CogAT is administered by classroom teachers over a series of days. 
  • Students participate via Chromebooks.

Notification of GATE Screening assessment results and GATE Identification status will happen by mail in the month of June.

Approximate Screening Timeline

August 

  • Screening Session for new students to SCUSD. (Please submit Screening Referral Form)  

October

  • Referral Screening Session for new students to SCUSD or students in grades 4-6. (Please submit Screening Referral Form).

December

  • Universal Screening Notification Letters distributed by school sites to 1st and 3rd grade families. 
  • School Sites prepare for winter GATE screening.

January

  • GATE Screening (CogAT) for 1st and 3rd graders — ALL Schools*
* Dependent Charter Schools, Independent Charter Schools, and Waldorf Inspired Schools may not participate. Contact your school to learn more. 

February

  • Make-up GATE Screening, if needed (at school sites).
  • Screening Session for new students to SCUSD or students in grades 1-6 who are not currently attending SCUSD schools, but reside in district. (Must submit Screening Referral Form by January 31st to participate.)

March/April

  • GATE Screening Assessments scored by publisher.
  • Additional data collected and reviewed as a part of GATE determination process.

June

  • Schools and families are notified of GATE Screening Results (Letters mailed mid-June 2024)

July

  • Deadline to request GATE Center Placement – Complete Request form by July
  • Lottery for GATE Centers (If needed).
  • Families are notified of GATE Center placements — July & August
  • *In person site visits should be arranged directly with school sites.