Please do not change the Gifted Education regulations. 

In an era where as a nation we trail other countries in Math, Science, and Technology test scores and where in the global economy the United States lags behind Japan and other nations, we need as a state and as a country to put more emphasis on educating our brightest students.  Our goal as educators should be to encourage every child to reach his/her full potential.  Too frequently the gifted learner is "held back" in his/her quest for knowledge.  He/she is not considered "left behind" in school by legislative standards; however, I propose that gifted learners are frequently "left behind"--left behind in that their needs aren't being met.  Their abilities are often allowed to stagnate or stall while other classmates are "catching up."  I support the philosophy of having no child left behind; I personally believe all children deserve to have a year's worth of growth in a year's time--and I advocate that this should hold true for the gifted students also.  To ensure Virginia's gifted students are growing daily in their acquisition of new skills and content area knowledge, Virginia needs to continue to oversee state-approved gifted programs.

Two proposed changes would be a deathblow for our gifted programs across the state or, at the very least, set Virginia programs back 20 years.  

First, local plans would no longer be reviewed and approved by  Department of Education  specialists who understand the educational needs of gifted learners.  If these changes pass, it would then be up to the local/community school boards to review. 

I find it hard to believe that the State Board of Education does not see this as having a disastrous impact on the education of the gifted.  We NEED you, the Department of Education, to be the oversight for the state programs--you are the experts, first of all.  You know what constitutes sound instruction for the gifted.  As the oversight for the state, you are ensuring consistency across the Commonwealth.   While local school boards are comprised of dedicated community leaders, often these members do not have an educational background in the specialized area of gifted education.  Some members of school boards have no background in educating children whatsoever, and while they may be very concerned and want what is best for the community's children, they may not understand the special needs of gifted learners or of other special needs populations. 

This change also would require localities to yearly set a plan; whereas, now localities submit  5 year plans  which allows school systems to make changes as needed (changes which must be approved by the state) and which, more importantly, give a long-term focus to the plan. Yearly plans would be time consuming and less productive; yearly plans cannot give the same focus and direction to a gifted program.

Second, now money is sent to localities earmarked for gifted education.  The proposed change would no longer have money earmarked for "gifted education"--it would allow it to be put into a "general-use" category.  This means local school boards would decide where to spend the money, which, in tough economic times like we currently are experiencing, may cause localities to divert or "cut" what little funding is given to gifted education.

I realize as a country and as a state we are facing tough economic times; however, I hope the Department of Education realizes the investment in Virginia's gifted programs will pay large dividends in the future as many of these children will be tomorrow's leaders.  Failing to maintain these programs adequately may result in an inadequately prepared population and a further decline in our standing in comparison to other states and to other countries.  
 

Respectfully submitted,

Diane H. Frazier