As a school psychologist, parent, and graduate student  I have too often seen the needs of gifted students misunderstood and neglected by schools. Overall, I support the recommended changes to the regulations as proposed by the Virginia Consortium of Gifted Education Administrators.

Development of five-year plans and submission of these plans to the Department of Education for peer and staff review is a particularly strong component of the current program. Not only are the development of multi-year plans and peer review very valuable learning tools for gifted coordinators and others; they also lead to significant program improvement. In addition, this approach helps build a strong sense community among those responsible for gifted education in Virginia.

I also urge that the use of high quality, standardized, norm-referenced achievement tests be included in the revision as a recommended component in the identification of students gifted in specific academic areas, as well as an option for assisting with the identification of students gifted in general intellectual aptitude.

Let's continue to strengthen and not weaken our gifted education program.