I am the parent of 2 students who have been identified as intellectually and artistically gifted.  I have served on the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) for Gifted Education in Virginia Beach.  I have taught for 10 years.  I do not support the proposed changes.  There are several specific items I want to address.  I have worked on developing a Five Year Plan for the city.  I have also evaluated the plan for the yearly CAC report.  A Five Year Plan with DOE evaluation is important for the maintainance of a strong program.  In the review of the plan the district's identification procedures can be evaluated.  DOE reviews allow for differences in the ways large and small districts may provide the highest quality program for their students.  School districts with school based programs or district wide programs would have different timeframes in arranging for identification and delivery of services.  A one year plan does not encourage long term development of a program.   I would want the language to remain which requires state funds for gifted education to only be used by the locality for those programs.