I oppose the proposed regulation changes to the Gifted and Talented Program.

Our GT students fall under the umbrella of children with "special education needs" and should be treated as such. Putting the responbility for the GT program into the hands of the individual localities will result in a gross disparity of programs from locale to locale and the possibility of the program going away all together in some places where budgets cannot accomodate a GT program.

The failure to challenge students to their full potential would have drastic effects on some students. If students are not challenged in school they stop wanting to go to school or become bored which can then lead to behavior problems—among other things.

Do not make these changes.

Sincerely,

Traci Cantrell.