I am the product of a gifted and talented program and have worked with many qualified students including my own. I respectfully request that the proposed changes be given very careful consideration based on the following:

1. The DOE MUST be able to regulate local 5 yr. gifted education plans to ensure consistency in all districts. A 5 yr plan would allow time to implement changes as well as reduce the transitions programs would face if a new plan were introduced each year. Truly, NO CHILD SHOULD BE LEFT BEHIND, especially gifted students in all districts.

2. I support an annual school-wide assessment aimed at identifying potential candidates for gifted programs. A school-wide assessment would allow all students an equal opportunity to be identified for supplemental programs. Also, I don't feel students must show potential in ALL areas, in order to be identified as gifted.

3.PLEASE LEAVE MONEY FOR GIFTED PROGRAMS ALONE! It seems that the budgets are small as it is. Any money earmarked for gifted programs needs to be spent on those programs and nothing else.

I sincerely hope you will strongly consider the pleas of concerned parents, educators, and advocates of gifted and talented students. Let's invest in the success of our future leaders.