Graduation Alternative To Traditional Education (GATE) Program
The GATE Program, established under Florida Statute 1004.933, offers a unique opportunity for students who have left high school to get back on track. Designed for students aged 16 to 21, GATE provides a pathway to earn valuable career education credentials while also completing a standard high school diploma or its equivalent.
Through the GATE program, students can enroll in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program and an Adult Secondary Education (ASE) program simultaneously. Eligible ASE programs include Adult High School or GED® Preparation. Participants will work towards earning both a high school diploma and a credential from a Career Education Program on the Master Credential list in their chosen career field.
Students have up to three years to complete the GATE program, making it an accessible and flexible option for those looking to re-engage with their education and secure a brighter future.
Student Enrollment Criteria
- Be a resident of the state as defined in s. 1009.21(1), F.S. for tuition purposes.
- Be 16 to 21 years of age at the time of initial enrollment, and if 16 or 17 years of age, has withdrawn from school enrollment pursuant to the requirements and safeguards of s. 1003.21, F.S., which require for example, written parental permission and counseling to remain in school.
- Select the adult secondary education program and career education program of his or her choice at the time of admission to the GATE Program, provided that the career education program is included on the Master Credentials List. The student must remain in their chosen pathway after enrollment, except that, if necessary, the student may enroll in an adult basic education program prior to enrolling in the adult secondary education program.
- Maintain a 2.0 grade point average (GPA) for career and technical education coursework.
- Complete the adult secondary education program and the career education program within three years unless the institution determines that an extension is warranted due to extenuating circumstances.
- Have been withdrawn from high school.
Concept Proposal Submission for the GATE Start-Up Grant
The Department of Education is accepting concept proposals from eligible agencies for this grant program.
Applicants eligible to apply for the GATE Startup Grant Program must meet the definition of an “institution” as defined in s. 1011.804(2), F.S. and must be located in or serve a rural area of opportunity as designated by the Governor.
Institution means:
- A school district career center established under s. 1002.34, F.S., or
- A charter technical career center established under s. 1002.34, F.S., or
- A Florida College System institution identified in s. 1000.21, F.S., that offers the GATE Program pursuant to s. 1004.933, F.S.
Rural Areas of Opportunity (RAO) are areas designated by the Governor which have been adversely affected by an extraordinary economic event, severe or chronic distress or a natural disaster.
Florida’s designated RAOs are:
- Northwest Rural Area of Opportunity: Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Wakulla and Washington Counties, and the area within the city limits of Freeport and Walton County north of the Choctawhatchee Bay and intercostal waterway.
- South Central Rural Area of Opportunity: DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, and Okeechobee counties, and the cities of Pahokee, Bell Glade, and South Bay (Palm Beach County) and Immokalee (Collier County).
- North Central Rural Area of Opportunity: Baker, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrest, Hamilton, Jefferson, Levy, Madison, Putnam, Suwannee, Taylor and Union.
Online Listing: Rural Areas of Opportunity - FloridaJobs.org
Resources
- 2024-25 Master Credentials List
- Adult Education Secondary Frameworks
Questions regarding the program may be directed to gateprogram@fldoe.org.