As a coordinator of gifted education, I do not feel sole approval of Local Plans for the Giftedshould be at the discretion of a local School Board (8VAC20-40, Paragraph A). School Boards are generally comprised of community members who do not have a background in gifted education. I feel that by not having the Local Plans first vetted and approved by the state department, local divisions may be setting themselves up for litigation. Also, the present format of submitting the Local Plans every 5 years and having it first vetted by peers knowledgeable of gifted education ensures that state regulations are being followed.

In section 8VAC20-40-70 Funding

Reinstate the following statement: "State funds administered by the Department of Education for the education of gifted students shall be used to support only those activities identified in the school division"s plan as approved by the Board of Education."

I also support all the recommendation made by the Virginia Association for the Gifted and the Virginia Consortium of Gifted Education Administrators.