Glossary

A Glossary of GATE Terms

Accelerated Learning

Pacing students through the curriculum at a rate commensurate with their advanced ability, allowing them to go as far and as fast as they want to go.

Advanced Placement

A program in which a secondary student can gain college and/or advanced college placement. Advanced placement is obtained by successfully meeting criteria established by higher education institutions on a nationally given and scored Advanced Placement examination.

Cluster Grouping

A method for organizing a heterogeneous classroom by assigning student with similar needs, interests, and/or abilities to the same classroom.

Collaborative Learning

A teaching strategy whereby students are expected to share expertise and effort in order to create a common project/product.

Cooperative Learning

The practice of assigning a common task and/or project to a group of students with varying ability levels often reflecting the full range of student achievement and aptitude. The purpose of such learning is to prepare students live in a democratic society; to help them understand group membership and group dynamics; and to allow them to practice both leadership and follower skills.

Core Curriculum

The common knowledge and skills to be learned by all students of a particular grade as determined and specified by a local school district. The California State Department of Education specifies reading, writing, mathematics, history-social science, and science to be core curriculum. The state frameworks provide guidance to local district in its decision-making process.

Differentiation

Adapting the curriculum to meet the unique needs of learners by making modifications in complexity, depth, and pacing. It may include selecting, rather than covering all, the curriculum areas dependent on the individual needs of students.

Enrichment

Activities that supplement the core curriculum. Such activities are generally not specified in the curriculum and are selected by the teacher and/or students in a given classroom.

Heterogeneous/Homogeneous Grouping

Grouping hetergeneously generally occurs by chronological age level and without regard fro the diverse needs of students, their learning styles, or their interests. Homegeneous grouping is based on common criteria such as the students' interest, special needs, or academic abilities.

Honors Class

A secondary level course specifically designed to be advanced in content, process, and product. Traditionally, student who meet prerequisite criteria are accepted into these courses.

Individualization

Providing a specific program that meets the particular needs, interests, and/or abilities of an individual student for some part of his/her educational experience. It does not mean, however, that every child is working in isolation on a different level or a different subject at all times. It does mean that students are working on levels commensurate with their accessed abilities, needs and/or interests.

Intelligence Quotient (I.Q.)

A measure of ability or aptitude at a given point of time, comparing children of the same chronological age. Currently things now accepts I.Q. as one of the many ways to measure a student's academic potential.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

A rigorous international pre-university course of study, leading to examinations, that meets the needs of highly motivated and academically superior secondary school student. IB has a comprehensive classics curriculum (language, science, mathematics, and humanities) that allows its graduates to fulfill education requirements of various nations. Only schools approved by the IB organization may offer the program.

Magnet School or Magnet Program

Many school districts, especially those with large student enrollments, select individual schools to emphasize particular program or service. Some magnet program focus on specific learning areas such as math, science, or performing arts. Others are designed to serve a specific student population such as highly gifted or gifted and high ability students. Since space is usually limited, special entrance requirements may apply.

Mandated Program

A legally required program or action authorized by law.

Special Day Classroom

A programmatic term defining a homogeneous setting of students with common needs and/or abilities. The class can include multiple grades or ages.

Underachieving

A discrepancy between recognized potential and actual academic performance. The causes of underachivement may be social, emotional, physical and/or academic.

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