As a parent of an identified, gifted 8 year old boy, I request that these changes be rejected.  Based on the many expert opinions voiced in this forum, these changes will not be in the best interests of the students, teachers or administrators in our gifted programs.  In this time of NCLB we need to realize that many bright children are not being challenged and are indeed being "left behind" to find their own way.  IMO, we need to continue to improve and develop techniques that work to challenge and bring out the best in all our students instead of wasting time and money revisiting plans annually.