GATE | 2120 E. Naco Vista (Cavett Elementary), Tucson, AZ 85713 | (520) 225-1305 | GATEdept@tusd1.org Louise Till, Interim Senior Coordinator | Alzira Duncan, Interim Coordinator | Melanie Chacon, Administrative Assistant
Invitations to Test Form (English and Spanish - in PDF)
Tucson Unified will be testing TUSD students 1st through 6th grade during October 15, 2018 and November 21, 2018 and kindergarten students during January 8 through January 25, 2019 to determine student eligibility to receive gifted services in the TUSD GATE program for school year 2019-20.
"Invitations to Test" and "Opt Out "forms will be mailed in early September to all TUSD student families' mailing address in grades K-6th. Parents must return the invitation or notify the GATE office if they choose to have their student tested by September 21, 2018. "Opt Out" forms must be received prior to testing date.
"Invitations to Test " and "Opt Out" forms will have a self-addressed envelope to return by mail or the invitations may be returned to the Cavett GATE office at 2120 E. Naco Vista.
Two additional make up tests for students living within the TUSD boundaries and choosing to enroll in the TUSD GATE program, will be administered on January 26, 2019 at Hollinger K-8 School and on February 2, 2019 at Cavett Elementary School.
Testing will be administered during the testing window at every elementary and middle school. Notices will be posted at each site providing the date of testing and communique will be sent home to families by individual sites.
August 24, 2018 - Invitations and Opt-Out Notices sent to all TUSD families grades K-6 September 17, 2018 - Pre-Testing Elementary School GATE Open House at Lineweaver Elementary School September 18, 2018 - Pre Testing Middle School GATE Open House at Doolen School September 21, 2018 - Invitations and Opt-Out Notices due to GATE office October 15-November 21, 2018 - Grades 1st through 6th Tested December 10, 2018 - 1st through 6th Grade Placement Notices and GATE Scores mailed to all families that tested December 10, 2018 - Offered list sent to sites January 8-25, 2019 - Kindergarten Students Tested January 24- February 15, 2019 - Self-Contained GATE School Open Houses January 30, 2019 - 1st through 6th Grade Placement Acceptances Due to GATE Office January 26, 2019 - Make Up Test at Hollinger K-8 School February 2, 2019 - Make Up Test at Cavett Elementary School February 15, 2019 - Kindergarten and Make Up Placement Notices and GATE Scores sent to all families that tested February 15, 2019 - Offer list sent to sites March 1, 2019 - Kindergarten Placement Acceptances Due to GATE Office March 5, 2019 - Acceptance list sent to sites
Tucson Unified administers the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) and Raven Progressive Matrices to determine GATE service eligibility. Tests are administered at all district elementary and middle schools with two additional Saturday make-up tests at a central location.
In August, invitations to test are mailed to all Tucson Unified families with kindergarten through sixth grade students. Permission to test forms are available on this webpage and at all district elementary and middle school sites.
In the fall of each school year, the GATE department tests first through sixth grade students attending Tucson Unified schools or living within the district boundaries. Kindergarten students are tested after winter break. These tests establish eligibility for Gifted and Talented Education services for the coming school year.
GATE TESTING AND PLACEMENT: Testing instructions are offered in the language that best meets the student's needs, and students are placed in the appropriate GATE program (self-contained or pull-out) based on test results. The Invitation for GATE Advanced Learning Opportunities form must be received by the GATE office in order to have your student scheduled for testing. Tully Magnet and some of our cluster sites have kindergarten-endorsed teachers able to support gifted students in their classrooms.