Please do Not adopt the proposed changes to 8VAC20-40-60 and 8VAC20-40-70
As a concerned parent and taxpayer I would very much not like to see these proposed changes made to the guidelines for the gifted education program in Virginia. First and foremost, the funding language must be included or the money that should be directed to the gifted and talented program could be used elsewhere reducing the quality and possibly eliminating the gifted program completely. Secondly, the current system of peer review needs to stay in force. Peer review requires that due diligence be given and that the requirements of the program be met, but also it will allow parents and educators to monitor compliance. The local boards of education do not only specifically focus on the gifted and talented so without the submission to the Department of Education quality could begin to slip. Finally, the 5 year plan is a reasonable amount of time to develop and assess needed changes and receive feedback from the community, educators and peer revision. Annual plans do not allow for a significant amount of time to monitor progress.
