Virginia's taxpayers are more than stressed because of huge tax increases, cuts in services by state legislators (especially in school budgets all across the state), both the internal and external demands on families, job cutbacks, layoffs, the currently very high unemployment rate, increasing complexities in getting our children thru elementary, middle, high school and college (all at already huge and ever increasing costs) and the pressures and demands of keeping children safe in an increasingly unsafe society and world. 

Over the years, the adage “go to school, get a good education and get a good job” – all theoretically leading to a good family life – was a tired and true method to success for families. 

With the recently disclosed glaring disparities in Virginia’s Gifted & Talented Policies and Programs – as crafted and recommended by State policy makers (primarily by the State Board of Education) who knows how long ago – African Americans and other minorities have had to and continue to have increasingly steep hills to climb in their efforts to “pull yourself up by the bootstraps.”  This worm out cliché has been the mantra masterfully used by many in power and with the power to pull the unseen and well-hidden strings of our society.   

The State of Virginia, our State Legislative bodies, Governor Bob McDonnell, State Secretary of Education, State Board of Education and administrative staffs now all have a prime opportunity to right some of the more horrid mistakes about education in Virginia.  

To many, these discriminatory policies and disparities are only rivaled by Virginia’s pre-Brown v. Board of Education policy mistakes.

Disparities in Virginia’s Gifted & Talented Policies and Programs only serve to literally rob some of our “best and brightest” in the public schools – all of which represent much needed resources in today’s globally competitive and capitalistic world.

Virginia, we CAN and MUST do better!          

We implore our state leaders – starting with Governor Bob McDonnell and his Administration – to finally do right by the taxpayers, families and especially students of Virginia. 

Governor McDonnell’s failure to rectify these glaring, statistically proven disparities only reflects a mentality to maintain and nurture a pre-Brown v. Board of Education type of environment relating to Gifted & Talented Policies and Programs in Virginia.

Governor McDonnell, Virginia’s global competiveness in the coming years could very well rest on the actions you  take RIGHT NOW!

Governor, we hope you will make the right decision IN FAVOR OF VIRGINIA’s FUTURE. 

Thanks for your help.