We cannot afford to jeopardize our future by shortchanging our children today. 

While considering policy changes for gifted education, please engage those who have been entrusted with its implementation and execution for relevant and insightful input regarding what is needed to move our great program FORWARD (ie teachers, parents, administrators, etc).  In response to what I have read regarding the proposed changes, my views are the following:

Oversight must remain with the state regarding plan approval and funding. I think it is unwise to delete phrasing just because it is redundant.  In legal documents, many times redundancy equals assurance.  In these challenging economic times, we can't risk our program losing funding due to an unintentional technicality. Planning for five years is definitely a better option than an annual plan. How can you measure success and practice consistency for our children by making yearly changes.  The state will help ensure quality and equality across the Commonwealth for all of our brightest children.  The benefits gained from the peer review process make it the best bargain in education budget.

Also, please take out the "and" and submit "or" in the subject areas for identification for gifted.  Wherever the talent lies, we should support and nurture it.  It's rumored that Einstein couldn't tie his shoe but he obviously was gifted in at least one area!

Thank you for this opportunity and I beg your consideration on these matters.