1. The state needs to be actively involved with the Local Plans.  The gifted programs need your support of the Local Plan.  The school board needs to know the state approved the plan and has had input into its services and successes.  Do not leave it to the school boards alone.  State must have approval.

Inpact on the change:

The school boards could delete/water down the plan to the point the gifted child(ren) serves will be nonexistent. 

The gifted students already have to compete with at-risk/low achievers which receive more attention on a daily bases.  Gifted numbers may be low in some divisions which impact the budget.

2.  The Local Plan for the Gifted needs to remain a 5 year plan.  The coordinators have always been able to edit as the climate changes as long as the plan does not change in servies.  No need to revamp completely every year.

Thanks you

Suzanne Vaughan