I would like to express my concerns about the proposed changes in legislation regarding Gifted Education Programs in VA public schools.  Both of our daughters had the opportunity to participate in gifted programs in Hanover County Public Schools, graduated in 1996 and 1998, excelled in their undergraduate education and now are contributing businesswomen.  In a time of complaints that American public education languishes behind other global education programs and when many are choosing to educate their children at home or in private institutions due to poor discipline and achievement in public classrooms, it seems ill advised to weaken the very programs that seek to elevate the quality of education for those able to achieve and make outstanding contributions.  I urge you to revise the changes proposed and to certainly include:

(1)       Each local school division shall submit to the Department of Education for approval a plan, developed on a 5-year basis, for the education of gifted students to ensure that the regulations are being followed.

(2)       State funds administered by the DOE for the education of gifted students shall be used only to support those activities identified in the school division's plan as approved by the Board of Education (BOE).

It was my experience, as an active parent in the public school and as a part-time school employee, that MORE NOT LESS needs to be done to address excellence and ensure that every student, both special education and gifted, reach their full potential.  It is also essential that professionally trained educators and experts be involved in policy-making and oversight of programs.  Our local school board is NOT composed of such and should not have sole oversight of gifted or other programs.  

Education is also a process that does not happen in year increments.  It is imperative that plans for gifted (and other) programs are developed for the long-term and not be subject to changes, and possible omission, each year in the budget process as the revision under consideration allows.

In short, it is imperative that Gifted Programs continue to be approved by the Department of Education, be long-term (‘developed on a 5-year basis”) and that the funds be designated solely for that purpose in language that will not allow diversion of state funds to other local programs.