The Commonwealth of Virginia would be doing a great disservice to itself and its own future should it decide to abdicate, in any way, its participatory role in providing and assessing services for its gifted students; or to hinder, in any way, the effectiveness of the educators granted the responsibility of teaching these students. As a parent, I do not have specific recommendations regarding the proposed changes, but I fully support the position of the Virginia Assn. for the Gifted and hope that the State Bd. of Education and all interested parties will listen to the serious concerns of their own educators in the field.  I am the mother of two exceptionally bright and creative boys who both have been identified as gifted by a strong, but small, elementary school in Albemarle  Co. Because of limited services -- based on the population of the student body, we have only a part-time gifted teacher for grades K-5 -- I can tell you that the State needs to extend every possible support to the educators of the gifted in Virginia. My greatest surprise as a parent upon entering the public school system was realizing that my boys have "special needs" as much as students who qualify under the traditional use of that term. The gifted programs in Va. need strengthening and expansion in every possible way in order for the Commonwealth to once again provide the country with the kind of leaders this rapidly changing world needs. Take good care of your brightest, as well as those in need, and just see what the future could hold! Thank you.