I am writing to you both as the parent of two gifted high school students and as a researcher doing his Doctoral dissertation on gifted drop outs. For many years now I have watched the DOE both in Florida and now in Virginia where our sons attended school diminish the funding for gifted education to the point where it is virtually nonexistent. Several states now provide up to $6000 per student in special education areas, while simulateously providing less than $200 per gifted student. I say, "Enough!"

Reread the writings of Thomas Jefferson who started the first Virginia gifted program. Read the writings of Horace Mann, Spencer, and Dewey, and you will find the changes in gifted regulations you're about to propose complete opposites of everything public education was intended to stand for -- excellence and equity -- for ALL.

It is time for this administration to stand up for right and honor and education for our best and brightest as well as our best and special needs students. Be a friend to gifted students. Support their educational needs. They are great, and yes, demanding. But that is why I became an educator. It is why we call ourselves teachers. We are here to take students from point A to point B. We are here to take them from where they are now to the farthest they can reach before college.

Please support our gifted students with your legislation and with your financial backing. Our country depends on it.

James L. Zabloski, Ed. D. cand., Amherst County