I oppose the changes.

First, the regulation that specifically requires the local school district
to use funding it receives for gifted programs exclusively on the
gifted program, 8 VAC 20-40-60, is being deleted.   Thus, in the
future, a locality could use this money for other programs.

Second, the regulations currently require each district to submit a plan for
gifted education for DOE approval, with districts working on a five
year plan with an annual update on progress towards the plan's
goals. 8 VAC 20-40-60.  The revised regulations give approval of an annual plan to the local
school board alone.  But, since local school board members are not
experts in GT education (and some have made public comments hostile
to GT education), without DOE oversight and peer review, there is a
real risk that the GT Plan will be watered down.