These Proposed Changes to Gifted Education in VA do not improve the educational program for gifted students and need to be rejected.  The proposed changes to the regulations governing gifted programs will compromise Gifted Education in VA. To safeguard the education of our gifted students, it is critical that the VA Department of Education maintain the present regulations governing gifted programs until improvements can be made.  Transferring the oversight and approval to the local School Boards is not a necessary step in decentralization and will weaken the plans which are used for local delivery of educational programs for gifted students.    Having local proposed plans submitted to the Department of Education for peer review and for approval assures that these plans meet state requirements and that students are receiving appropriate and equal education throughout the commonwealth.  It is important that the Virginia Department of Education maintain uniform standards and regulations statewide.

Funds allocated by the state for gifted education should be designated.  Without regulatory language protecting the funding of gifted program services, the local school districts could reduce or shift funds from gifted program to any other program or purpose.

Gifted programs in our divisions are created to provide educational programs appropriate to the students’ needs.  In too many instances, it is the gifted students who are being left behind.  In addition, school divisions under these proposed regulations would have the opportunity to implement a “No Student Left Ahead” policy, where gifted students are denied the opportunities and possibilities of expanding their education. 

Thank you.