Brief Explanation:

California Administrative Code Title 5, 3855, Article 4, stipulates that all elementary and secondary teachers with a major assignment in the area of gifted education must demonstrate appropriate characteristics, knowledge, and skills in this field.

San Diego City Schools requires GATE certification for all elementary cluster teachers, and all secondary teachers teaching two or more sections of GATE. Any teacher with an assignment that requires certification must either hold a GATE certificate or have a current application for a certification class on file when he/she begins the assignment. Teachers receive GATE certification by complying with one of the following: a San Diego Unified School District GATE certificate, a graduate certificate in gifted education from an accredited university, or a master's degree in gifted education. Priority for enrollment will go to those teachers assigned to GATE classes at schools with programs recognized by the Board of Education.

The GATE Department will offer four sessions of GATE teacher certification for 2002-2003:

First Semester tentative dates:

Session I (elementary only): dates (all Saturdays) are September 14, 28, October 12, November 16, 23, and December 7. Classes meet at SDSU, North Education Building, Room 60, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. An additional evening class is required for the Distinguished Lecture Series on Thursday, November 14 from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Session II (elementary only): dates (all Tuesdays) are September 10, 17, 24, October 1, 15, November 5, 16, 26, and December 10. Classes will be held at Madison High School Library from 3:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. An additional class is required for the Distinguished Lecture Series on Thursday, November 14 from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Second semester tentative dates:

Session III (secondary only-middle or high school): dates (all Saturdays) February 8, 22, March 1, 22, and 29. Classes meet at SDSU, North Education Building, Room 60, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Priority will be given to those teachers assigned to three or more sections of GATE. Two additional evening classes are required for the Distinguished Lecture Series (date TBD) from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. located in the Madison High School Library.

Session IV (elementary only): dates (all Tuesdays) are January 28, February 4, 11, 25, March 4, 11, 25, April 29, and May 6. Classes will be held at Madison High School Library from 3:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. An additional evening class is required for the Distinguished Lecture Series (date TBD) from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Teachers must attend all sessions or make arrangements with Dr. Lannie Kanevsky for appropriate make-up assignments and satisfactorily complete all assignments to be awarded the GATE certificate. Substitute teachers are not eligible to register for district certification.

Attached is the application for certification classes. Duplicate application form for all interested candidates. Please forward completed application to the GATE Office, Madison High School, room B-5, by June 17, 2002. Applications may also be faxed to (858) 637-6215.

Confirmation notices for Sessions I and II will be sent out in August. Confirmation notices for Sessions III and IV will be sent out in October. Every effort will be made to place applicants with their first choice class.

Teachers undergoing GATE certification classes have the following three options:

• Take district GATE certification course at no cost.
  
  
• Pay for three (3) units of district salary advancement credit at $150.00 through the Discover Program.
  
  
• Pay for three (3) graduate units through SDSU. This option will provide the
  opportunity to apply this three-unit course to a university GATE certificate of
  15 units, which in turn is applicable to a master's degree in special education
  with a focus on gifted education.

Questions regarding the GATE district certification process may be directed to the GATE office
at (858) 573-5988.