In the 1980s and 90s, children across the United States were selected for “Gifted And Talented Education” programs (GATE) based on their high academic abilities. However, some adults who were once part of these programs are now wondering if they were unknowingly trained by the CIA. This theory has gained new attention after a series of TikTok videos posted by Anna Mills, a former GATE student, who shared old assignments and worksheets from her childhood.
The Spark of a New Theory
Anna Mills, who goes by the username @annamillsxo23 on TikTok, revived interest in a conspiracy theory that was previously discussed in smaller circles. In her videos, Mills shared clips of the worksheets she completed in GATE classes back in the 1990s. As she flipped through her old work, she couldn’t help but ask, “What were we being trained for?”
Her posts quickly went viral, as many of her followers began to question the unusual nature of the assignments. The lessons were not typical schoolwork. Instead of regular math and reading exercises, many focused on topics like cracking codes, learning Morse code, Russian language, and even sign language. A surprising number of worksheets mentioned themes like aliens or Russian culture, raising eyebrows among viewers.
Unusual Lessons and Strange Patterns
What caught the attention of many people was the focus of the GATE curriculum on creative problem-solving and unusual themes. Mills described assignments where students were asked to solve complex puzzles or analyze mysterious patterns, which led her to question if these activities were more than just academic exercises.
Some of the tasks involved plotting graphs and solving complex codes, which seemed far beyond the standard curriculum for most students. The inclusion of subjects like Morse code and Russian language raised even more questions, especially since these skills didn’t seem to have a clear connection to typical school lessons at the time.
The CIA Gateway Program: A Link?
The theory that GATE programs were linked to CIA training programs, specifically the CIA’s “Gateway Program,” has gained traction on social media. The Gateway Program, developed in the 1980s, was designed to explore the limits of human consciousness using techniques like sound, meditation, and altered states of perception. This program focused on training individuals to become more aware of their inner resources and abilities, using sound recordings to help people enter meditative or trance-like states.
Interestingly, some former GATE students recall taking tests that included audio recordings similar to the sound techniques used in the Gateway Program. These tests were often designed to test IQ but also involved meditative exercises with sounds like crashing waves or wind blowing. TikTok user @rachelthedreamer, who shared her own experiences, described how she and other GATE students were given audio tapes with a woman’s voice guiding them through the exercises while they wore large headphones.
Memory Gaps and Altered Experiences
As more former GATE students shared their stories online, many expressed confusion about why they could barely remember anything from their time in the program. Some recalled vague memories, like the building or entryway of the classroom, but couldn’t remember any specific lessons. Others felt as though their memories had been “blocked” or altered in some way.
A number of comments on Mills’ TikTok videos reflected this collective sense of confusion. One user wrote, “Why do most of us only ‘faintly’ remember any of it?” Another commented, “Completely blocked that out for decades until just now.” These gaps in memory have added fuel to the fire of the conspiracy theory, with some suggesting that the CIA may have been involved in some way, possibly using mind-altering techniques.
The Debate: Is There Any Evidence?
Despite the growing interest and shared experiences among former GATE students, there is no concrete evidence to support the theory that public school Gifted and Talented programs were linked to the CIA’s Gateway Program. While some declassified government documents have been shared by internet users in an attempt to draw connections, there is no official confirmation that GATE programs were used for covert CIA training purposes.
Experts argue that the unusual content in the GATE curriculum, such as the focus on problem-solving and creativity, may have been intended to challenge students and help them think critically. The inclusion of topics like Russian language or Morse code may have been part of an effort to broaden students’ knowledge in areas outside the traditional academic subjects.
Conclusion: Fact or Fiction?
The connection between the GATE programs and the CIA’s Gateway Program remains purely speculative. While the stories shared by former students like Anna Mills are intriguing, they do not provide conclusive proof that GATE was anything more than an educational program for talented students. However, the ongoing debate and the bizarre memories of former students continue to keep this conspiracy theory alive on social media.
For now, it seems that the idea of children unknowingly being trained for secret government programs is more of a mystery than a proven fact. Whether it’s the result of unusual teaching methods or something more sinister remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the story of GATE and the CIA has captured the curiosity of many.
(Source: newsbreak.com)
