I can't believe we would go and mess with a good thing!!!  After trudging through k-2 with a gifted child, I was so happy when the 3rd grade year started.  I felt like finally my child was where she needed to be...challenged, happy, and learning!  And 4th grade is proving to be the same.  Just as special needs children get funding, so should gifted and talented children.  They are special needs, just on the other end of the spectrum.  At a time when we need to be challenging our future leaders/scientist/teachers/etc. to rise above the "norm", why would we go and change a program that is obviously successful?  It is apparent from all the comments posted that these regulation changes should not be adopted.  I hope  you listen to the voice of the majority.