Regarding 8VAC20-40-60, Local Plans.  This is a terrible proposal.  The Department of Education (DOE) must continue to perform its oversight duties for gifted education programs.  Local boards of education are not qualified to perform this function.  We need the experts at DOE to ensure that school divisions are following appropriate regulations and that students are offered the gifted programs for which they qualify.

Regarding 8VAC20-40-70, Repeal of Funding Language.  Also a very bad proposal.  Regulations that guarantee the proper use of funding for gifted education must remain in place.  DOE should not set up a situation that allows for gifted education program funds to be used for other purposes.

I urge the rejection of both proposals cited above.