4210 Technology Drive P.O. Box 5008 Fremont, CA 94537 (510) 657-2350 FREMONT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT www.fremont.k12.ca.us FREMONT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT Fremont, California INTRA DISTRICT MEMORANDUM To: Elementary School Principals Date: September 9, 2015 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 15th, 2016. 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 Board of Education Desrie Campbell Ann Crosbie Larry Sweeney Yang Shao, Ph.D. Michele Berke, Ph.D. Superintendent James Morris, Ed.D. (510) 659-2542 Assistant Superintendent, Instruction Kim Wallace, Ed.D. (510) 659-2583 Associate Superintendent Raul A. Parungao (510) 659-2572 Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources Raúl M. Zamora, Ed.D. (510) 659-2556 Page 2 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 2016. 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. Fremont Unified School District