It is critical to the education of gifted students that the DOE have regulatory power over funding and plans.  Five year plans are far more effective than annual plans.  Having local school boards be the regulators for funding and plans will only lead to lack of funding for gifted education and inconsistency in the quality of programs throughout the Commonwealth.  I urge you to value our gifted students and allow them to achieve to their highest potential by rejecting the current regulations under consideration.