FREMONT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Fremont, California
INTRA DISTRICT MEMORANDUM
To:
Elementary School Principals
Date:
August 28, 2014
From:
John Schroeder
GATE Program Specialist
Attached you will find the 3rd grade parent letter with the information on GATE testing
this year. I have included one in English, Spanish, and Chinese. We will provide copies
for you to send home the week of September 24th with each of their 3rd grade students.
This information has also been emailed to both you and your secretary.
If you have any questions, please call Mr. Schroeder at ext. 12325.
Thank you for your help.
RE: General Information regarding GATE testing and Opt Out Letters
The purpose of this general abilities test is to identify students who demonstrate
excellence far beyond that of their chronological peers. Qualified students will receive
quality differentiated opportunities and have access to GATE enrichment events and
activities in their classroom.
Students in grades 3rd through 5th in Fremont Unified School District will have the
opportunity to be tested only once for GATE identification. Students are highly
encouraged to take the test in third grade so formal clustering can begin in fourth grade.
All 3rd grade students will be tested on an opt-out basis, as we have done in the past.
However, please remember: Parents should submit all opt out letters directly to the
GATE Office not to the principal or classroom teacher. The deadline to submit letters is
Friday January 17th, 2015. Letters will not be accepted past the specified date. Prior to
testing each school will receive a list of students not taking the test by teacher. No
individual, including teachers and principals, should be encouraging parents to opt their
children out of the test through letters, flyers, spreadsheets, or any other avenue under
any circumstances. The goal of the district is to test all third grade students. Testing will
take place during the school day at each child’s school site. Dates for testing have
been determined by attendance areas.
Students in 4th and 5th grade, who are new to the district and have never been tested,
will be offered testing on a Saturday at the District Office in March. Those students will
receive a letter through the US mail in February giving the date and time of the test.
Students in 5th and 6th grade who didn’t qualify during 3rd grade testing, may be
nominated by a teacher or parent to be looked at again for GATE services. Parents of
5th and 6th graders may nominate their child by submitting a Parent Nomination form
which can be found on the FUSD website or at their school’s office. Teacher Nomination
forms are also on the GATE website. 6th grade students can be nominated for GATE
identification under Professional Judgment. All nomination forms must be submitted to
the GATE Office by January 15th 2015.
Students scoring 99% (NPR, age related) in any one category or a 98% or above total
composite on the test will qualify for GATE identification.
Notification of test results will be mailed in June before the end of the school year.
Please do not have the parents call the GATE office as NO results will be given over the
phone.