I am a resident of Chesterfield County.  I have been made aware that in Chesterfield Public Schools, African American students are 27% of the student enrollment, but only 10% of students receiving gifted education services.  Caucasian students are 61% of the student enrollment, yet 82% of the students who are receiving gifted education services.  

These figures are especially disappointing numbers and more should and needs to be done to make these numbers more representative and reflective of the county's population.  A way to begin do address this issue is to have the VA Dept. of Education develop specific language that helps to establish how to weigh the criteria relied upon for gifted identification.  I

As a taxpayer and concerned citizen, I know that it benefits all of us when all segments of the community are encouraged and allowed to excel.