About Us 

Goal

To identify Gifted and Talented students, including those from diverse racial, socioeconomic, linguistic, and cultural backgrounds, and provide high-quality differentiated opportunities for learning that meet students' unique abilities and talents.

Plan

LAUSD has developed a plan for K-12 Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) which includes District policies and procedures for identifying gifted/talented learners and providing services, support and program options to meet their academic and social-emotional needs. LAUSD Gifted/Talented Programs is driven by a philosophy of equitable and inclusive access. All LAUSD schools must provide a GATE program. For more information click here.

Identification

LAUSD identifies gifted learners in seven categories: Intellectual Ability, High Achievement, Specific Academic Ability, Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Creative Ability, and Leadership Ability. The District’s policies and procedures for gifted/talented identification are in accordance with California State requirements. For more information click here.

Program Options

Programs are offered to students who require an environment which encourages extremely high levels of abstract thinking, motivation, interest, achievement, peer interaction, and a radically accelerated pace of learning. Acceptance is based on eligibility criteria, availability of space, and any specific conditions unique to the school. The following lists the program opportunities: Resident School GATE Program, Schools for Advanced Studies, Magnet Programs, Honors and Advanced Placement classes, and the Conservatory of Fine Arts. For more information click here. 

Differentiation

Teachers of gifted/talented students differentiate the core curriculum through various means, including flexible groupings, acceleration of content, independent study, tiered assignments, interest centers, learning centers, compacting in student’s area of strength, mentorships, adjusting questions, honors and advanced placement courses, and use of above grade-level resources. A local school program must comply with a more rigorous standard providing differentiation, rather than “One-Size-Fits-All” instruction as an integral part of the regular school day. For more information click here.

History

For information on the history of gifted and talented programs in LAUSD click here.