San Marcos Launches Accelerated Academic Program

» One answer on 02.20.10 @ 08:30 PM

I guess this is one answer to not having a GATE program anymore in the district.  Sounds like better advanced college preparation than a high level private school.

» Re: Re: One Answer on 02.21.10 @ 04:48 AM

Are we saying that GATE is not going away because the GATE classes were always taught as Honors classes anyway, therefore the push for the name change?

The answer is to keep the GATE classes for GATE identified students. According to the district’s GATE website, 2012-2013 is when the percentage of GATE students should be in line with research norms.  Thus, as the number of GATE classes are reduced, the number of Honors classes can be increased to meet the needs of other highly motivated and academically talented students.  Have four tracks: Intervention, College Prep, Honors and GATE.  GATE should be an option available to GATE identified students where there is no AP, IB, or Dual Enrollment option.

Researchers have shown that GATE is special education and students need to be taught in a special way by a trained and committed GATE teacher.  Why should enrichment for GATE students during the school day stop at sixth grade?  True GATE education has the potential to address the needs of this population on many different and specific levels that go beyond the rigor of the curriculum.

Stop the assault on our most motivated and academically gifted students (GATE identified or not).  During the midst of the GATE firestorm, DP is trying to quietly push through a new bell schedule for next year to address the bottom tier of the school.  This bell schedule is going to cause 10-12 grade students of a minimum GPA to lose 24 minutes per day of instructional time. In a five day school week that would be 2 hours of teaching that your teen would be missing out on!  For those preparing for AP and IB testing, 2 hours a week can make a big difference over time.

Congratulations, San Marcos for your Academic Acceleration Program.  More time, not less, for in depth study and investigation during class!

» SB High Parent on 02.21.10 @ 03:46 PM

Erik Nielsen you continue to impress many with your commitment to ensuring appropriate instruction for high achieving students, your creativity, and ability to be the master mind that can out-smart our failed SB District’s top, highest paid administrators who continue to deny their ineptness.  Santa Barbara High’s loss was the day you left our campus.  How lucky San Marcos is to have you on staff.  How very fortunate our community is to have competent professionals like you who stick it out and rise above all the insanity at the District level, when you have countless other professional options.  Keep up the great work you and others at San Marcos and DP High are doing to provide for those students who are ignored and shamed at SB High.  Come to one of our assemblies designed to make bright, or is it ‘white’, students feel guilty for being smart or GATE identified; and subjected to reverse discrimination because they are the minority.  Then listen to some HONORS, GATE, AP class Americans of Latino descent students tell you how some other Lations verbally attack them for ‘wanting to be one of them [white/Anglo]’ by working hard, performing and succeeding as evidenced by their ‘choosing to enroll in an AP, HONORS or GATE class. Why do you want to be one of them?’  It’s the Santa Barbara version of Uncle Tom that SBHS administrators and District administrators fail to address.  It’s time to celebrate color-blind success, high achievement and accomplishment; to reward those committed to becoming our future leaders regardless of sex, color, ethnicity, socio-economic class. We need more like you Erik in the District office.
Note:  The one shortcoming to the San Marcos Plan is the number of AP classes you’re requiring for graduation recognition BECAUSE some SBCC Dual Enrollment students do not have 6 AP classes but rather 12-18 SBCC College classes or 300+ units with 60 units or more coming from SBCC vs AP classes.  I know seniors with only 3 to 5 AP classes and 70+ SBCC credits.  I hope you won’t lock yourself into a corner alienating some of our brightest.

» JH parent on 02.22.10 @ 01:12 PM

This is very exciting. I look forward to attending the informational meeting. This is just what my kid needs.

» Re: Why no IB? on 02.23.10 @ 04:08 AM

The only secondary IB program available in the district is at DP.