Recommendation and Referral Timeline for 2019-20
Return completed forms to: gatereferrals@ops.org OR
Dr. Beth Maloney, GATE Supervisor (TAC-3215 Cuming Street, Omaha, NE 68131)

Downloadable Forms
PGSS Inquiry Form 2019-20
PGSS Creativity Recommendation Form 2019-20
PGSS Leadership Recommendation Form 2019-20
PGSS Motivation Recommendation Form 2019-20

The staff of Gifted and Talented Education strives to identify gifted and exceptionally talented students within the Omaha Public Schools, nurture their social/emotional development and enhance  their curriculum experiences so these unique individuals may reach their fullest potential.

We believe our students...
*are found in the areas of intellectual ability, academics, creativity, visual/performing arts and leadership
*are found in all cultures.
*include students with learning disabilities, (or twice-exceptional, 2E).
 

Gifted and Talented students have a right to:
...learn something new every day.
...not be gifted in everything
...feel proud of their accomplishments.
...be passionate about their talents.
...be educated about their abilities and talents.
...interact with like ability peers.
...be stimulated with rigorous and challenging instruction.

To be identified for GATE services a student must meet at least 3 of the 4 criteria listed below:

COGNITIVE – Top 5% at the school or national level on an intelligence/cognitive test

ACHIEVEMENT – Top 5% at the school, state or national level on a grade-level standardized or norm-referenced achievement test

MOTIVATION/PERFORMANCE – “A” or Advanced (ADV) in 60% or more courses on the most recent semester grade report OR Qualifying recommendation/involvement for Motivation as recorded on the Classroom Teacher Input Form OR Parent/Guardian/Student/Staff Referral

CREATIVITY/LEADERSHIP – Qualifying recommendation/involvement for Creativity or Leadership as recorded on the Classroom Teacher Input Form OR Parent/Student/Staff Referral

If you wish to refer a student for identification for Gifted and Talented Education services please complete a PGSS Referral which is located in the downloadable forms tab. Return the completed form via email or school mail to your GATE facilitator. Please note that a completed referral does not automatically meet one or all of the criteria for identification. Each student referral will be considered and have an eligibility worksheet started so that all available criteria can be reviewed. Newly identified students will be added to specialized instruction groups at the beginning of each quarter.

Thank you for your assistance as our department carefully works to implement equitable identification processes and procedures that will permanently identify high performing students for GATE services within the Omaha Public Schools, nurture their social/emotional development and enhance their curriculum experiences so these unique individuals may reach their fullest potential.