I am writing as a parent of six GT children in the Fauquier County School system. As a military family, our children have attended four school systems in three different states. We chose to settle in Virginia because of the quality of education and excellent GT program offered here. I am appalled that, instead of moving forward towards improving gifted education, Virginia's GT program may backslide because of proposed regulatory changes.

Please continue to safeguard the education of Virginia's gifted and talented students by maintaining program control at the state level. Local control of GT programs will lead to inconsistent gifted educational offerings from district to district without assurance of continued adequate support. Funding for GT programs should not be affected by local whims. Keep control of GT programming at the state level to provide consistent, high quality offerings throughout Virginia.

Allow for 5-year plans to encourage long-range goal setting for GT programs. Proposed changes eliminate the opportunity for long-range planning. Without long-range plans, our vision to continue to improve gifted education in Virginia will undoubtedly fade.

Require funds designated for GT programs to be used only for programs benefitting GT students. They have special needs which come with their gifts. These students who fall outside of the norm must also be nurtured and encouraged to work to their potentials.

Ensure a quality education for gifted and talented students in Virginia. Do not implement the proposed gifted regulation changes! Let's move forward, not backward!