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Santa Barbara School Board May Close the Door on GATE Program
By Rob Kuznia, Noozhawk Staff Writer | 
| Published on 02.03.2010
[Noozhawk’s note: In response to Noozhawk’s article below, Brian Sarvis, superintendent of the Santa Barbara School District, issued the following statement:
No one is talking about eliminating the GATE program. What was discussed was whether we should change the label for the GATE courses. Why?
» One out of every three students currently in our junior high and high school GATE courses has not previously been identified as a GATE student. The district has studied their performance and we found that they do well in these courses on test measures and grades.
» The board has set a goal to significantly increase the participation of underrepresented students in GATE courses. The district has not been able to make progress on this goal. We think the label “GATE” may be an artificial barrier to our underrepresented students. Courses labeled “GATE” actually serve GATE and other advanced learners. But, underrepresented students often see courses labeled “GATE” as unavailable to them.
» Other districts throughout California made the change in course labeling years ago and simply call these advanced courses “Honors.” It is now the norm in the state to label advanced courses as “Honors.” And the UC System recognizes Honors courses, not GATE courses.]
In an effort to address the thorny issue of racial imbalance in classrooms, the Santa Barbara school board is considering ending the Gifted and Talented Education program for students in seventh through 12th grades.
The move would fold GATE into what is perceived to be a second-tier group of high-level courses, known as the Honors program, by as early as next school year.
Before a sparse late-night audience of about 20 people Tuesday, the school board took the first step toward the major overhaul. Four years ago, the board considered a similar proposal that would have merged honors and a third-tier program called “college prep,” but the plan was abandoned amid outcry from a well-organized group of honors parents.
This time, district-level administrators are strongly recommending the change, and a majority of the five-member board appears enthusiastic about the idea.
“I’m thrilled to be on a board that’s contemplating this change,” said school board member Susan Deacon, one of the two newest trustees who was elected to the position in November 2008. “The time has come.”
The issue of unintentional classroom segregation has rankled the district for years. School principals have long tried to improve upon the disproportionately low numbers of Latino students taking higher-level courses.
In Santa Barbara, while Latinos make up nearly half of the nearly 10,000 students attending public middle schools and high schools, they total just 18 percent of the students in GATE. White students account for 44 percent of the total enrollment, and 69 percent of the GATE population.
Historically, the aim of GATE has been to serve students who are thought to be “gifted,” meaning their rate of learning is so advanced as to render them bored in the traditional classroom setting. Entry to the program requires scoring high marks on what resembles an IQ test. In general, some experts say the curriculum should serve no more than 5 percent of any given student population. But in Santa Barbara, where middle school and high school students who do not test into GATE can get into GATE classes through teacher referrals, the GATE population has ballooned to about 20 percent.
Todd Borden, a GATE English teacher at Dos Pueblos High School, said at his school it’s about 31 percent.
“You’d think that might be an encouraging sign, but it really hasn’t been,” he said. “The ethnic breakdown really hasn’t changed. ... White students are able to kind of play the game better and get into the classes more effectively.”
Top district administrators are adamant that the change would lift all students up rather than dumb the classes down, and came armed Tuesday night with data that they said supports this claim.
For instance, in English, the average test scores of the district’s honors students and GATE students were very close, with both comfortably in the “advanced” range.
Perhaps even more notably, district administrators presented data that seemed to undermine the notion that GATE students who tested into the program consistently outperform GATE students who got there through referrals. In junior high GATE algebra, for example, the average GPA of the referred students, at 3.39, actually bettered that of the bona fide GATE students, at 3.36.
However, Associate Superintendent Robin Sawaske, who strongly supports the change, admitted that the math scores of the GATE students is well above those of the honors students.
Though the crowd Tuesday night was sparse, those who attended supported the change. Some were students who shared their stories of classroom alienation.
“Six years ago, when I was at Adams Elementary School, I didn’t really know what GATE meant,” said Abril Lopez, a senior at Dos Pueblos High School. “All I knew was that you had to be smart in order to be in that program, and there were mostly white people in GATE.”
Pepe Gil, a junior at Santa Barbara High School, said when he first entered the classroom of an advanced chemistry course, he was shocked: Just five of the 35 students were Latino.
“My fellow classmates and I felt isolated, and began to wonder why we were even in the class,” he said.
On the school board, the most vocal critic of the proposal was trustee Bob Noel, who said the district hasn’t yet shown that its teachers are ready to instruct classrooms filled with students whose academic skills vary widely.
“I’m almost sure it’s going to be very hard, especially for a lot of senior high school instructors,” he said.
Trustee Ed Heron — the board’s other newest member — said he would like to the district to inform GATE parents of the coming debate ASAP.
“I’m a believer you just don’t bowl your way through,” he said.
The other three board members expressed effusive support.
Trustee Annette Cordero said she was on the board when the similar issue came up several years ago.
“I was horrified for the lack of political courage,” she said. “The board bowed to pressure from a very particular group of the community. ... I’m encouraged by what I perceive as the courage of this board to tackle this issue head-on. It is time for us to put the majority of students’ needs over a small minority of students’ needs.”
Also voicing support for the idea was Santa Barbara High School Principal Mark Capritto.
“I arrived three years ago, and one concern I had about Santa Barbara High School was that the achievement gap was widening,” he said. “The GATE program is the most natural barrier that we have. ... We’ve got to get rid of the ‘two schools’ (within a school) mentality.”
He added that most high schools do not have a GATE program. What’s more, he said, the UC system doesn’t recognize GATE as being a higher-level program than the honors coursework, even though it’s considered to be so here.
— Noozhawk staff writer Rob Kuznia can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
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» on 02.03.10 @ 04:33 PM
“School principals have long tried to improve upon the disproportionately low numbers of Latino students taking higher-level courses.” So now we are going to tell the students that work hard, study long and want to make something of themselves, that they are making all the other kids feel inferior? No wonder Cali schools are a joke. Just another reason for private schools, vouchers and charter schools. Get your kids away from these idiots.
» on 02.03.10 @ 05:07 PM
Well isn’t that nice. Now the Latinos have nothing to strive for. Lets be racists and insult them by telling them that because they are Latino, they don’t have a chance for honor and they could not possibly be gifted, or recognized for it.
This is exactly what the problem is, the message is constantly sent that because you are Latino, you are different and don’t have a prayer of success, so don’t bother striving to achieve it. This is the message that bilingual education has brought sent. You are different so you need help. You can’t do it through your own achievements so don’t bother trying. Don’t worry, we will hold your hand and knock everyone else down to your level.
Let’s tell the gifted that they must be equalized and not strive so hard, because they are making everyone else look bad (especially the idiot School Principles). What happened to the idea of color blindness? If we were truly colorblind, moronic statements like:
“School principals have long tried to improve upon the disproportionately low numbers of Latino students taking higher-level courses.” would not be made. It would not even be noticed.
» on 02.03.10 @ 05:28 PM
Wow - is this the twilight zone, april fools day or has the school board just lost their marbles?
» on 02.03.10 @ 05:48 PM
I could not agree with Rancher below more. Those who seek advancement should not be turned away because others are not choosing it. Keep the GATE program strong and secure and let kids determine their own density (oops…destiny)!
» on 02.03.10 @ 06:01 PM
My son is in GATE programs at SBHS. The main thing I notice about the instruction is that they get a TON of homework. Way more than is appropriate. I will not go to the mat to keep this program alive. Not with all the other programs that desperately need funding.
Kids are not supposed to be selected for GATE as a reward for studying hard. They are supposed to be selected based on intellectual gifts. The arguement is that faster learners need an accelerated program so they are not bored. But, by the time kids get to high school the kind of learners they are has been shaped by their educational and enrichment opportunities and not just their native intellect. And, in this town, these educational advantages (college educated parents, private lessons, travel) are disproportionately less available to latino kids.
I am not sure that public money should be spent on special classes for already advantaged kids. And since, in my opinion, the biggest problem these advantaged kids have is that they are overscheduled and overpressured, I don’t think piling extra school work on them helps them much either.
» on 02.03.10 @ 06:11 PM
You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away people’s initiative and independence.
You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.
Abraham Lincoln
My how far we have come from what made the country great. Despicable. This is the leftist agenda in action.
» on 02.03.10 @ 06:11 PM
I think students should enter the GATE or honors programs based on their academic work and test scores, regardless of race! If the Latinos can get in, wonderful! If not, why must we get rid of the GATE program because they don’t meet the academic challenges? Would someone cancel a program because white students can’t get in?
» on 02.03.10 @ 06:29 PM
This is a mistake. No doubt de facto segregation does occur in GATE, and that’s a bad thing. But the solution is to remove barriers that keep Hispanic kids out, not to eliminate the program. Concerted effort on the part of teachers and administrators to move deserving Hispanic kids into GATE would close the racial gap. GATE should be an opportunity for these kids. Eliminating the program, however, will almost certainly result in less challenging courses, the district’s promises to the contrary notwithstanding. You just don’t improve a curriculum by eliminating advanced courses. It will also alienate parents who want the best for their kids, some of whom will put their kids in private schools. And will not make teachers’ jobs any easier either.
» on 02.03.10 @ 07:01 PM
And what next?
Do we balance the drop out differential between races by passing out diplomas for a good two year effort?
Is the school board admitting that the district is systemically racist in GATE admissions and that it has been discriminating against latino students?
Or are they telling us that they believe Latinos can’t cut the grade for GATE?
Either the Latinos have failed to put in the effort or the district has kept them out, which is it Dr. Sarvis?
» on 02.03.10 @ 07:33 PM
Gee, I wonder why I pay for my sons to go to private school. Smart, straight A’s but not mentally challenged in the public schools.
This new news is truly pathetic.
Lets all vote for school vouchers in California. Lets let the public schools compete on merit and let each and every person decide where their kids are to go to school.
I predict that the local schools will be out of business very quickly and lots of great small private schools will pop up. Test scores for even these poor neglected Hispanic kids will improve as well. The good teachers will have great new jobs, the administrators will go back to work at the DMV.
» on 02.03.10 @ 07:34 PM
20% of *all* 7-12 grade students are now in a gifted program? Heck, UC’s target is to accept the top 12-13% of high school grads. That’s what I call grade inflation.
» on 02.03.10 @ 07:57 PM
If there is to be a gate program it should be the top 5-10% by testing—no referrals.
Otherwise it is just a ‘white kid’ thing.
» on 02.03.10 @ 08:49 PM
Why not just get rid of Gate and honors all together? That’s what they are doing by letting everyone in anyway.
» on 02.03.10 @ 08:51 PM
Make them obey the law—we must??/That will solve your problems
» on 02.03.10 @ 10:06 PM
Please keep the GATE program. The only students allowed should be by testing. That would reduce the percentage. Also, make the families of GATE students pay a fee to help fund the program. Maybe a letter to the parents should say something like” Congrats your Johnny or Susie is eligible for our GATE program. Unfortunately, we do not have the funds to cover this programs so we are asking for you to submit XXX dollars. Payment plans are available.” The GATE program is wonderful. I have had two children in it and the best part is they are surrounded by students that actually listen, learn and want to achieve something with their lives. Why lower their standards, expectations and dreams? Why not find ways to help others and increased our high school graduation rate from 70%? Maybe while we are at it we should eliminate the Engineering Program and IB Programs at DP or the Visual Arts Program at SB or ????
» on 02.03.10 @ 10:19 PM
I think this is a bad idea. And what nonsense is Annette Cordero saying “It is time for us to put the majority of students’ needs over a small minority of students’ needs.”
I have two kids in Gate and they are there because they work hard.
» on 02.03.10 @ 11:32 PM
A little surfing on the internet shows many other cities in California are calling into question their GATE programs. Santa Barbara is not unique in its overly large levels of student participation.
Interestingly, there are no standards in CA for determining whether a student is truly “gifted”. This appears to have lead to abuses of GATE programs in many school districts.
I find it difficult to believe that 31% of the students at DP are truly gifted with corresponding special needs. But its equally difficult to blame parents, who would use every loophole they can find to get their kids into what they see as a better “school within a school”. Even if their kids aren’t truly gifted (try telling that to a parent!).
In the end, I believe this is just another negative consequence of Proposition 13. Until that core problem is fixed, public education in CA will continue to be underfunded and groups of parents will continue to compete amongst themselves for scare teaching resources. The GATE battle is just one example.
» on 02.03.10 @ 11:35 PM
What a joke…what about asian children who move here with langauge barriers and they quickly rise to the top of their class and qualify for GATE…and to say it is ethnically divisive is a farse…what a coup for private high schools in the area…..
» on 02.04.10 @ 12:17 AM
This proposed change is much less controversial than some of these comments make it out to be, and it is clear that most do not know that our AP and IB students in high school are in classes that are already open to all who wish to take advanced courses.
Most high schools in California do not have “GATE.” Districts simply have “honors” and “pre-AP” for their seventh through tenth grades, and AP, IB, or dual-enrollment courses for juniors and seniors. The honors courses provide rigor, depth, and challenge for students who demonstrate the ability in specific subjects. In high school, AP, IB, or SBCC courses - which are open to all students—become the courses for advanced students.
To me, someone who has been teaching AP and GATE English courses for 12 years, I don’t see this doing any damage to our GATE-identified students. I’ve taught “freshmen honors” English in another district and “freshmen GATE” English at DP, and they are the exact same course for the exact same advanced student - one which emphasizes higher level reading selections and novels, more complex writing assignments, and individual modification based on interest and ability (though I do agree that some teachers mistake their mission to provide rigor and instead simply pile on homework). Call if whatever you want, the key is to have a teacher that challenges and stimulates the advanced students. The courses themselves will not change, only the way students are placed into them. In English, a writing sample, teacher recommendation, or a standardized test score could be used to place students into these courses.
Changing it to honors and removing the GATE-testing obstacle will open these opportunities to all students who demonstrate the ability, maturity, and talent to succeed in higher-level courses (or whose teachers see the potential). Some just didn’t have parents who knew they had to bring their child to a Saturday IQ-type test that doesn’t really test subject competency.
As it is, most probably would be surprised to know that high school “GATE” courses already are not exclusive to GATE students as students who are not GATE-identified (but have ability) are placed to fill the courses (the current goal is that GATE courses have at least 70% GATE-identified students). Again folks, this is not going to drastically change these numbers.
The one great thing about our GATE program is that the GATE-parent group does a tremendous job of raising money to support enrichment, technology, and teacher development for our GATE and AP courses. But I don’t see how that would change if we move to an “honors” model.
In short, this plan will benefit our schools. Despite the vitriol and hand-wringing of many of these comments, our advanced students will not be harmed in the least by this change. In fact, adding talented students who may not be officially GATE-identified will only enhance the learning environment.
» on 02.04.10 @ 12:28 AM
I can tell you taking away the GATE program will force shoulda-been GATE kids like me back to institutionalized boredom.
If you want to read a good book about the dangers of pandering to “special interests” read Mexifornia by Victor Davis Hanson. EYE opening and HAIR raising. “... this book is part melancholy remembrance of a world gone by, part detached analysis by a historian who knows well the treacherous sirens of romance and nostalgia, and part advocacy by a teacher who always wanted his students to be second to no one.”
Dismantling GATE is a mistake. Achievement built America. So step up or shut up.
» on 02.04.10 @ 12:39 AM
There is more to this story, so before you go stomping your feet and researching schools in Ohio, wait for corrected information from the district. It should be forthcoming in the next couple of days.
The GATE program is not going away. Stay tuned.
» on 02.04.10 @ 05:51 AM
Parents can send their kids to a local private school, but they don’t have GATE classes. They have honors and AP classes. Oh, and plenty of drugs, alcohol and kids who are as dumb as dirt. These days most private schools just care about the color of your money.
» on 02.04.10 @ 06:05 AM
The discussion of the GATE program is much like a discussion on the Titantic about the size of the iceberg. It is not the point. Why, in one of the most affluent communities and caring communities in the world, do Latino students, in general, continue to underahieve? Removing the GATE program will not change this reality. The SBHS principal should explain why his Latino students do not do well and their performance has not improved since his arrival. Ms. Codero, a long time board member, should ask herself the same question. Only in this context should the discussion of the future of GATE take place.
» on 02.04.10 @ 06:56 AM
Perhaps if the GATE students formed a gang the school board would maintain GATE as an “outreach program.”
It is interesting that Rob Kuznia gives the percentage overrepresentation for white students, but not for asian students. This article reeks of the white-bashing in older News-Press coverage of education and immigration issues.
» on 02.04.10 @ 07:37 AM
The law states that we shall do what is in the best interests of children. Those willing to commit to the rigorous GATE schedule and do all of the extra work have demonstrated the ability to perform at higher levels. Parents of most GATE children are more involved and push their kids to succeed in school and in life. It is in their best interests to keep the GATE program. Everyone is entitled to participate in GATE based on their academic abilities - it has nothing to do with race. The School Board is playing the race card and politicizing the issue. Lest we forget that we must provide opportunities for those academically gifted and hard working students so as to maintain their higher level of drive and achievement. If you have what it takes to make it through GATE - that opportunity should remain. If you don’t have what it takes, don’t sacrifice GATE kids to make us all feel better. Law school and medical school admissions are based on academic ability, not politicized opportunities for all. If you work hard, you should be rewarded.
» on 02.04.10 @ 07:49 AM
I am a GATE teacher in a SB jr. high school. I can tell you first-hand that there are many students who are tested and admitted into the GATE program in 3rd or 4th grade who should NOT be in the GATE classes by the time they get into 7th grade. I believe all kids should be retested as they enter 7th grade to requalify and confirm their placement. When I suggested this several years ago the suggestion was met with adament opposition. This would cut down the numbers of kids in the program that should not be there, and allow new (latino/a)students who were not tested in elementary school to move into the program.
In my classes, I have many high achieving latino and latina students, and with programs like AVID in place, they get the help they need (if they need any additional help) to achieve. In a colorblind world, only students who are hard-working high-achievers would take the upper-level GATE/AP/IB classes. Where’s the problem there?
» on 02.04.10 @ 07:57 AM
When is the next meeting to discuss this issue? For those who believe this is the wrong decision we should show up in large numbers and express ourselves. There are other ways to cut costs such as looking at the very large administrative overhead at the main office.
» on 02.04.10 @ 08:36 AM
I am not a teacher, however both my children were in the gifted program, one son is now 34.
Originally the “GATE Program” served the students that had a very IQ, which made them at risk. The program offered more complex teaching, I believe in order to help these children learn at their own level of thinking. The truly gifted kids are complicated, it does not necessarily make for a easier life socially or academic. If the rules for the GATE program were kept original, that is to help the gifted kids, It would serve the way it was meant to serve, to help kids at risk excel. It isn’t about race, it is helping children who need help. Perhaps the school board should read about the original reasons the GATE class was started…and learn about the risks of the gifted child.
» on 02.04.10 @ 08:49 AM
The public school system is dying. 50 years ago the average student was as advanced as today’s GATE student. Parents! Take responsibility for your child’s education.
» on 02.04.10 @ 09:36 AM
An excerpt from the very popular book & blog written by Christian Lander- always appropriate prior to engaging in this debate http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2008/01/22/17-gifted-children/
» on 02.04.10 @ 09:36 AM
I think the school board should compare the amount of money spent on Special Ed programs to the costs of the Gate program. I think we are not spending enough to raise the ceiling for our high level learners.
» on 02.04.10 @ 09:36 AM
My daughter, now 26, had been recommended twice, for the GATE program while still in elementary school. As were both my sons. I don’t remember why my sons weren’t accepted in the program (one is now an Iraq War Vet at age 28 and the other is a successful ‘Jack of All Trades’), but my daughter was tested and was told she wasn’t ‘emotionally mature enough’ to be accepted into the program.
All three of my children went to La Cuesta due to either poor attendance or sheer boredom with the education process. Only one received a high school diploma, while the other two earned GEDs.
It was my daughter who was astounded by the talents of her fellow classmates (all of whom were Latinos). Not only were there exceptional talents in Art, but in psychology, math and science. In class discussions, outside of cirriculum, my daughter realized that these students weren’t ‘broken’, the system was. The education system had no better alternative to address the positive aspects of these students who didn’t fit into the mundane and painfully repetitive process of schooling. These were kids our schools could not reach because our teachers are not trained to address the specialties of each individual and go from there. Teachers are taught to teach to general audience. From there, students who get it, are funneled into the system to excel, to ride the current of mediocre (because the system doesn’t challenge their talents, just bores them), or they struggle, barely hanging on the their ‘C’s or 2.0 because there isn’t enough help in the classrooms or time in the day to give these students that extra nudge of support.
The students who fall outside of the system aren’t always the trouble-makers. These students have the smarts, the talents, the desire to get a higher education, but because they don’t fit into the funnel, they become ‘at risk’ or are labled ‘last ditch efforts’ and the sygma can be so very damaging to their self esteem.
I was present when one of the La Cuesta teachers my daughter had for social studies (four semesters of Chicano Studies…argh!) greeted her as a ‘wanna-be’ high school graduate. The other teacher, who is an old high school mentor and friend, as well as my daughter, asked me not to confront the educator regarding the remark.
Self esteem is key to any students academic achievement.
Being able to address any students ‘gifts’ outside the general audience of the student populace and build on their talents and help them achieve the success they are entitled to, is the job of the school system.
Don’t just amend a program in light of political necessity, but create one because the success of each indivdual depends on it!
» on 02.04.10 @ 09:38 AM
All kids enter the kindergarten as equals, then continue through 6 more years of elementary school to prove their abilities. All are offered the same opportunities, chances and assistance to succeed. By the end of 6th grade, those who work hard, study hard and perform above the rest have shown they have what it takes to succeed. Why then should we start over in 7th grade to provide them the same opportunities that they themselves did not take advantage of for their first 7 years of education. If they want to be in GATE now and take harder, more challenging courses now, where were these students for the last 7 years ! Playing X-box and watching tv while the GATE students were studying. Those are the consequences. Just like you shouldn’t get a trophy for playing on a team, irregardless of ability (AYSO, Little League, etc.). It would be the same to say that the Oakland Raiders should be in the Super Bowl because they have been denied opportunities in the past.
» on 02.04.10 @ 09:39 AM
I was not happy when I read the article regarding the GATE program. As a country we are so concerned about equality that we overlook differences. We help the students who have difficulty learning. This is applauded by those whose children are needy of the extra help. Why would we want to take away the very programs that help our more gifted students from becoming “all they can be.” Is this not a contradiction?
» on 02.04.10 @ 09:42 AM
Through my own experiences of raising two children in the SB public school system, I believe the entire GATE program should be scrapped. I and many other parents of the children who did not ‘test’ into GATE in 2nd grade had a constant uphill battle working on our children’s self esteem when they considered themselves not intelligent enough because they did not test into GATE.
It’s important to always challenge students of any intelligence level at any age and it is sad to see a good mind falter and loose interest in learning. Testing students in order to determine if they are ‘gifted and intelligent’ at an early age does not work for the majority and creates a segregated ‘elite’ group of students. This can be debilitating to all of the young minds who need more encouragement in all aspects of education.
Does this mean we ‘dumb’ down the students who are accelerated learners? Certainly not. Give them the challenges they crave and need; but not on a selective level! If a student, at any age, can rise to a higher level of learning then give them that opportunity but make it available to all students, not just a select few. Isn’t that what public school is all about anyway?
» on 02.04.10 @ 09:54 AM
As suspected, Olivia Uribe is a racist, judging by that post. She obviously has a chip on her shoulder against white people. I suspected it and thank God she dropped out of the Council race.
» on 02.04.10 @ 10:03 AM
“... White students are able to kind of play the game better and get into the classes more effectively.”
How is that comment not Racist?
Replace “White Students” with any other racial group and that idiot would be fired.
» on 02.04.10 @ 10:05 AM
A change in the GATE program should not be made over a race issue…this is crazy.
The significant issue is socioeconomic status. I’d like to see the data on socioeconomic status of the students in GATE. Research has long shown that there is an very significant correlation between academic performance and family socioeconomic status. This data will predict the reality of academic achievement we experience in our schools.
I’m concerned that loosing GATE will result in lower academic expectations for a greater portion of the student population. This is a step in the wrong direction. We need to increase expectations for all students.
» on 02.04.10 @ 10:33 AM
This seems like one more way to make kids dumber. Are you sure that this is not an Obama plan turning us into a third world country. Luckily, our children, now 47 and 49 went to college and are succesful in business.
» on 02.04.10 @ 10:36 AM
Wow! What overwhelming support for the GATE program in these responses. Don’t let the small-minded, politically correct bureaucrats succeed in their race to mediocrity. Instead of striving for and rewarding excellence they would rather spread the misery equally. We will spend millions to bring equal opportunity to those with physical and learning disabilities but we can’t give those with special talents a challenging, compelling learning environment? All the parents of minority children who understand the value of education, all those who worked with their kids so they could get into GATE should be screaming. Be loud, be proud and fight for GATE.
» on 02.04.10 @ 10:57 AM
“I and many other parents of the children who did not ‘test’ into GATE in 2nd grade had a constant uphill battle working on our children’s self esteem when they considered themselves not intelligent enough because they did not test into GATE.”
Maybe you should have taken on the battle of helping them with their homework instead of their self esteem! Did that ever occur to you?
» on 02.04.10 @ 11:00 AM
Not enough representation of the Latino population in the GATE program is a symptom of a bigger problem. We need to help the Latino population rise to the level of a program like GATE. Eliminating the GATE program does not address the problem - it only makes the symptom go away. Rather than eliminate the GATE program - why not focus on how we can raise the performance of the Latino population so they are better represented in the GATE program? Rather than “lowering the bar” we should be focused on how we can help students get over it.
Interestingly, the districts Superintendent, Brian Sarvis was quoted in the News Press today as saying “GATE courses provide specialized learning experiences beyond the regular curriculum for students who demonstrate high performance or capacity for high performance…one out of every three students in…GATE courses have not previously been identified as GATE students…they do well in these courses on test measures and grades.” and “The label GATE may be an artificial barrier to our underrepresented students. Courses labeled GATE actually serve GATE and other advanced learners. Underrepresented students often see courses labeled GATE as unavailable to them.”
So, the GATE program appears to serve the needs of our “unrepresented” population and the title GATE is an “artificial” barrier? It sounds like the GATE program doesn’t need to be changed - it sounds like an outreach program into the Latino population to educate them that the program is available to them is a smarter solution.
Let’s help the Latino population rise up into the GATE program! Let’s not eliminate the opportunity for them to participate in these “...specialized learning experiences…” Why do we want to take an opportunity away for students to be challenged? What is the School Board thinking?
» on 02.04.10 @ 11:00 AM
I believe that under-achieving students have unsupportive uncaring families or family issues. Look at the real problem ,not the race. This is a smokescreen.
» on 02.04.10 @ 11:01 AM
I have two children who are currently in SBHS. They both attended public elementary and junior high in SB. Neither one of them passed the one and only GATE ‘test’ they were given - in 2nd grade. This has been my family’s experience:
Elementary Grades: Neither child was in the GATE program because they did not pass the ‘test’ in 2nd grade. They received average to above average grades. We did have to work with encouraging them when they felt inadequate because they were not ‘gifted and intelligent’ like some of their peers. (I agree with DeeDee Smith here.)
Junior High School: Again, they were not in any of the GATE classes because they did not pass the 2nd grade ‘test’ (5 years prior to 7th grade). What few Honors classes they were able to take, they accelerated in. The rest of their classes tended to consist of unmotivated students who did not want to be there and a lot of time was spend with the teacher dealing with classroom disruptions. Needless to say, their academics suffered in these classes.
High School: There were more Honors classes available and they could attend designated GATE classes if they could do the work. Needless to say, they took the bait and became more motivated and actually learned! To top it off, they could take AP classes and classes at SBCC that really be challenged them! It didn’t matter that they didn’t pass the GATE ‘test’ way back in 2nd grade. One child is a straight A student and the other has mostly A’s with a sprinkling of B’s. They are motivated and look forward to taking classes with other students and teachers who are as equally motivated.
To summarize, why make any accelerated program so selective? If the student is capable of rising to the occasion and learning then let them. As a side note: they both found that there was little difference between the GATE and Honors classes, in high school. There is still a big gap between the college prep classes, though. Also, when it comes time to apply for California State Colleges, as Dr. Capritto said; GATE and Honors classes hold equal value.
» on 02.04.10 @ 11:12 AM
I was in GATE for all of high school through recommendation, not qualification. Whether or not it actually made me a better student, I don’t know, but I am sure it was the reason I got into all the colleges I applied to. We had a debate on Affirmitive Action in 10th Grade English and I was assigned to defend it. It was easy in a class of 35 there were FOUR students that didn’t go to either Crane, Montecito Union, or Cold Spring. I’m maybe 1/8th Mexican and graduated from Cold Spring and I wa by far the darkest one of them! Segregation the Gate Program goes back a lot further than getting into the Gate Program. Kids in Santa Barbara spend their entire public school education with the same people they entered kindergarden with. The Gate program is a symptom of a much bigger issue.
» on 02.04.10 @ 11:21 AM
re: “Maybe you should have taken on the battle of helping them with their homework instead of their self esteem! Did that ever occur to you?”
Homework was a priority as well and their health and well being.
» on 02.04.10 @ 11:30 AM
This is certainly a tempest in a teapot.
As Mr. Woodard said above, the rigor and coursework will not change one iota. GATE is a funding mechanism, not a curriculum.
No one who is bashing this proposal seems to acknowledge the fact that in high school, there are only two classes that are GATE - freshmen English and freshmen Geometry. After that, it’s on to college-level AP classes which are taken by the GATE-identified students and anyone else who has the ability and drive to try these classes. And that’s the case nationwide! We are the only district to keep GATE in the high school for these two freshmen courses and the only reason it hasn’t been changed yet, is because of the reactionary and baseless claims by some that this will destroy rigor.
At DP, the high achieving students have an array of choices for rigorous and challenging coursework: Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate (a wonderful program), dual-enrollment SBCC courses. Heck, my son’s friend has taken three theoretical calculus courses through UCSB while still at DP (and he’s only a junior!) Ironically, education for gifted and talented students in Santa Barbara County has never been better as these kids have so many choices not available when I was in high school and there was just one AP section for thirty kids.
What we are really talking about is changing the name of these two courses freshmen courses from “GATE” to “Honors” so that it would be easier for talented students who are not GATE identified to take a challenging class. These classes will still be made up, for the most part, of the same high achieving GATE-identified students
People, get a grip. Look at the facts.
» on 02.04.10 @ 11:30 AM
I have children in Jr. High GATE and elementary GATE. GATE is no longer what it was intended to be-an alternate way to teach children with high IQs but some inability to learn in a normal way.
It is now largely an honors program with extra homework. We see no other difference between the honors and GATE programs, so this is really much ado about nothing.
There are many intelligent, straight-A students who don’t get into GATE because they don’t do well on the GATE test for whatever reason. Because most elementary schools, I believe, don’t have a separate honors program, this students become lost, and by the time Jr. High rolls around they are a year behind their GATE classmates.
Unless the Goleta, SB, and Hope districts create true GATE programs, not just Honors programs with extra homework, go ahead and dump the GATE and put all high-achieving children in Honors.
» on 02.04.10 @ 11:34 AM
I was a student in the Santa Barbara School district a few years ago. I was considered ‘All-GATE” meaning I was allowed in GATE classes in all subjects. However, my school did not offer GATE classes in all subjects, so I ended up taking some Honors classes. For one thing, I was significantly less interested in the Honors classes I took than in the GATE classes I took, and for another, I don’t think the percentage of white students was any smaller in the Honors classes than in the GATE classes.
Due to my experience, I think that getting rid of the GATE program will hurt the kids who can, and want to, excel academically, and it will also not help increase the percentage of Latino/a students in the ‘upper-level’ classes.
However, I do think the GATE system needs an overhaul. I think that teacher recommendations should be the only way to get into GATE, so that even students who don’t do well on silly standardized tests, and even the students who are so bored with lower-level classes that they get poor grades in them (and that happens a lot) can be in the GATE program. The test I took to get into the GATE program was difficult, yes, but it tested nothing about how much I wanted to learn, or how hard I was willing to work on difficult concepts over long periods of time. Those are the qualities that I think should set GATE students apart from Honors students, not GPA or a test score.
» on 02.04.10 @ 11:41 AM
The SB elementary GATE program admission standards are restrictive compared to those in other districts.
They don’t always give the 2nd grade test to all students; often it requires a teacher referral or parent request. (And, studies have shown that teachers aren’t that good a identifying gifted students, because they tend to nominate compliant students and overlook out-of-the-box thinkers.) In contrast, Goleta, for example, tests all kids in 3rd grade unless their parents ask that a child not be tested.
Also, SB elementary only admits kids who score high on the Cogat test (sort of an IQ test). Goleta, and a number of other elementary districts, also admit students based on high state test scores, which are achievement tests. And, there are ways for English language learners who show fast language aquisition skills to be admitted to GATE.
The SB elementary district has very few students in their GATE programs at most schools. Perhaps they could increase the number of Latinos in the pipeline toward secondary GATE/honors class by going to the effort of finding and offering extended learning to the kids who show the most promise at each school, even if they aren’t up to the 98 percentile or whatever on the Cogat.
The SB districts are looking at name tweaking in the secondary district, when they should be looking at remodeling the GATE program in most elementary schools.
» on 02.04.10 @ 01:17 PM
I agree with most of the posts. Gate is important and it sounds more like a management issue of enforcing proper standards so everyone has an equal chance of testing into Gate. Hello school board, its ok for people to be different! Gate programs, in my experience, inspire more than segregate.
» on 02.04.10 @ 01:18 PM
Clearly wrote on 02.04.10 @ 08:54 AM
“As suspected, Olivia Uribe is a racist, judging by that post.”
The likelihood that post came from the real Olivia Uribe is about as likely as your name actually being “Clearly”.
One of the biggest problems with Noozehawk is that no registration is required to comment. Anyone can say anything as anybody at any time. So you get a lot of noise from people hiding behind 100% anonymity. At the Independent, you can register with a handle, but at least people know you as an individual and can see your previous posts. That’s why I seldom pay any heed to comments @Noozehawk
» on 02.04.10 @ 03:51 PM
The classes can be called AP, Gate, or Honors, it makes no difference. More importantly it is how the classes are taught in the classroom that counts. AP level classes take alot of work, etc. to prepare the students for the actual AP test. I know personally that Dos Pueblos enrolls students in AP classes instead of honors with no intention of the student taking the AP test for college credits. This gives the impression that Dos Pueblos has more students taking AP classes than honors but those students are actually honors level students not learning the course work thoroughly enough to pass the AP tests. Leave the AP or GATE classes for the students who can and will do the required work and keep the upper level classes just that.
» on 02.04.10 @ 05:50 PM
I think this change is wrong, wrong, wrong. My daughter started with GATE in 3rd grade at Washington and was very successful at La Cumbre because of the GATE program there. She completed her public school education at San Marcos, again in GATE classes. Because of these opportunities provided to her throughout her ENTIRE education (3-12), she qualified for UCLA, graduated with a double major in 4 years, and at the top of her class in Geography. Then, she was accepted to grad school, full ride, because of her abilities! I truly believe the GATE program played a big role in her academic success. You have to provide different levels of education for students with different abilities.
» on 02.04.10 @ 06:09 PM
Is the next step to scrap the engineering program at Dos Pueblos? If you have seen their program the department is almost exclusively Asian and White. Who’s to blame? Is it the district? Do we destroy a great program to serve the self esteem of those who choose not to put in the work these kids put in?
Any program will be racists if we design the program to float one group or drag down another. Far better to set standards that anyone can see and read and then stick to them.
The education gap will not be closed until the Hispanic community takes ownership of the problem. The answer will not come via social engineering by the school board.
» on 02.04.10 @ 06:26 PM
You should be teaching your kids not to blame their failures on the success of others, take responsibility for themselves and not worry so much about how much they love themselves. That is the whole problem with this country where success is punished and failure is rewarded in the interest of nobody’s feelings getting hurt - you need to prepare your kids for the real world, where there is competition and sometimes ya win sometimes ya lose, or there will be REAL self esteem problems later in life when they learn that you don’t always win, the winners don’t get dragged down to their level so they feel better about themselves. Life is tough! The sooner they learn that the better! It isn’t about feeeeelings..
» on 02.04.10 @ 07:26 PM
I’ve taught in the GATE program for over 12 years and the curriculum was watered down a long time ago, not due to attempts to diversify the classes, but because every parent out there wants to believe their child is “Gifted.” The majority of kids in the program shouldn’t be in there in the first place. That term means absolutely nothing anymore. I also have failed quite a few GATE students because they don’t really want to be there but are driven by their competitive parents.
It is interesting that everyone equates a lack of representation with the Latino’s lack of drive or ability. So, you are telling me that out of 50% of students in the school district, only a small number of Latino students are hardworking and able to take higher level classes? There is something wrong in that logic. There is definitely something else at work here and to make those assumptions seems narrow minded and/or very myopic.
There is essentially no difference to what they are proposing than a name change. Students will still have to qualify but there will be less emphasis on test scores. Not every student demonstrates great ability in that way and we miss out on a great thinkers and learners by being dependent on a score to determine ability.
» on 02.04.10 @ 08:04 PM
Clever move by the district. When GATE is eliminated and high performing students migrate to private schools, the district advances two goals:
1.) Funding - Lower head count benefits the district as it transitions to basic aid status.
2.) Achievement Gap - Lowering the aggregate achievement level of white students will help close the gap. Remember the problem is not lack of achievement, it is the existence of a gap.
) :
» on 02.04.10 @ 08:34 PM
WONDERFUL! Further dumbing down of education in the name of racial balance. California education deserves its place at the bottom of the heap. What happened to this state?
» on 02.04.10 @ 09:00 PM
Loved the link. It was so right on.
Oh, and by the way, I’m white and not any more ‘racist’ than any other parent of a ‘gifted and Talented’ white student! LOL
Everyone needs to chill, step back and look at the big picture!! The most important think for all concerned parents is that their children are HAPPY, feel good about themselves and are loved. The rest will follow.
» on 02.04.10 @ 10:51 PM
I completely agree with Bill Woodard’s comments. Any student, whether white or hispanic, who is motivated to learn should have the opportunity to take accelerated courses. It doesn’t make sense to deny that opportunity to a motivated student because of an irrelevant test taken in 2nd grade. My son was able to take Gate courses in high school, did very well, and is now attending an excellent college. Although he had this opportunity, it always bothered me that other students, who were equally capable, were not able to take these courses. It always seemed to me that many of the Gate parents liked this system because it made them feel superior. There are many things about public education that I don’t like (unions), but I definitely agree with the School Board members who would like to abolish this elitist and counterproductive system.
» on 02.05.10 @ 02:03 AM
Anyone who graduated from SBHS knows that all the GATE and AP classes are loaded with rich kids whose parents complained if they weren’t in the program (apologies to rich kids who are actually geniuses, love U guys). It’s a class thing and has to do with bored housewives with nothing better to do.
Meanwhile many intelligent hispanic students stayed in lower classes because they,
a. didn’t know what GATE was
b. just assumed GATE was an anglo thing
c. their parents were busy working 2 or 3 jobs and couldn’t be bothered to demand that the school district treat their child as a genius
As a “white” (mostly European background) kid in GATE from 5th to 12th grade, I always hated living with that contradiction, which made all SB schools I attended socially segregated. Plus, many of the GATE teachers seemed just as bored and lazy as any other teacher. The only hard class I took was AP Econ. But then, I’m incredibly gifted and talented…
Judging by the comments, SB is turning into the OC. Help!
» on 02.05.10 @ 09:32 AM
Testing and then separating students into ability groups based on those tests has always been problematic and based on the erroneous assumption that it is best for their education. Heterogeneous grouping of students increases achievement for ALL students.
» on 02.05.10 @ 02:20 PM
Right on @uribe, high self esteem will conquer ignorance every time. Yeah. That’s the ticket. Right.
» on 02.05.10 @ 10:54 PM
I didn’t grow up here but we had a somewhat similar system to GATE it sounds like. Take a test in second grade and if you pass, you get into the special classes. Well, I didn’t pass, and missed out on all the extras. It always has bugged me that one test when you are seven can impact so much of your education.
Well, not that much since I was valedictorian of my high school so to all of you who think one test proves anything, you are sorely mistaken.
» on 02.06.10 @ 12:37 AM
So they can’t RE-TEST these kids? Come on.
This is about Feel-Good politics and adding little brown people. Hello: Add yellow, red, and blue people, purple ones too! But they gotta pass the test scores in order to make GATE.
SIMPLE: test them again! Controversy ended!
» on 02.06.10 @ 11:20 AM
We are experiencing similar problems here in Richmond, VA. I strongly support “gifted” and advance placement programs that rely solely on test scores for admission. In fact, I expect such a blind admissions policy at this point in our history. If certain ethnic groups are under-represented then the goal should be to bring these individuals (who want to gain admission,) up to the academic level necessary for their admission.
As the decent accelerated high school programs become more diluted, they will lose their appeal. Parents, students and even the teachers who would otherwise enthusiastically participate in this type of program will lose interest and just stop applying. Private schools will gain in popularity and so will home schooling. I might add that the kids involved in this mess really do not care about their classmates’ race or ethnicity, despite what some of the administrators would like us to believe.
This is all about money and who should pay for what. Obviously those who want to ruin the programs for the students who possess the highest potential for learning do not think globally at all. These are short-sited and selfish bureaucrats.
Racial gerrymandering of children and the educational system has never worked. Providing the best programs and offering them to the students who qualify will produce the next generation of intelligent kids.
Booker T. Washington said: “You can’t hold a man down without staying down with him.”
Kim Dwyer
mother of 5
» on 02.09.10 @ 08:45 AM
Perhaps the artificial barrier is lack of effort.
» on 02.09.10 @ 06:58 PM
Why fix something that is not broken. The gate test is open to all. Why doesnt the school board get numbers on how many kids actually take the gate test regardless of color, if one race is less than the other,rally that race and get them to take the test. Do punish the kids that have taken and passed the test. The school board is nuts.
» on 02.09.10 @ 09:07 PM
burn the GATE program!
» on 02.09.10 @ 09:35 PM
a comment to Dee Dee
You have a lot to say about this situation. sorry you kids didnt get into Gate. I have 4 children, only one child is in gate. I am not crying about it, but am happy that our oldest non gate child will graduate from UFS with a degree in Economics. Wow no gate. quit crying.
» on 02.15.10 @ 12:39 AM
Another word about testing into gate. when I was trying to test in when I was going into 7th grade, the test was extremly hard, it had nothing to do with being “qualified” for gate. I did not qualify for it then but as i got over 100% in all my regular jr high classes my teachers put me into gate and now in high school I am at the top of my class as a gate student.So I agree that if they do end up keeping the gate program get rid of those silly tests that don’t prove anything about intellegence and stick to teacher recemendations.
» on 02.16.10 @ 10:59 PM
» Richard Foster wrote on 02.09.10 @ 07:45 AM
Perhaps the artificial barrier is lack of effort.
Ditto!
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