As I read the proposed new regulations, several concerns appeared. My first concern is removing the state in the final approval process. Assigning this responsibility to the state ensures that all districts in the Commonwealth are providing services according to the requirements of the Local Plan, which provides equity within localities across the state.

Another concern is the proposed requirement to serve students in all four academic areas of mathematics, science, language arts, and social studies (K-12).  Schools work to integrate content areas through interdisciplinary teaching, and that approach to learning should be encouraged.  I strongly recommend that the regulation state the requirement to serve students in one or more of the four academic areas of mathematics, science, language arts, and social studies (K-12).   

Another area of concern is funding. State funds administered by the Department of Education for the education of gifted students should be used to support only those activities determined in the school division’s plan as approved by the Board of Education.