Last fall, I attended a presentation about the new gifted regulations and since that time, I have become quite familiar with these proposed changes.  I have many concerns about these proposed changes.  Most importantly, the lack of oversight by the state is detrimental to the future of gifted education in the state of Virginia.  Currently, according to Davidson Institute’s GT-Cybersource, Virginia receives a “blue” state status, only one level behind the top “green” ranking.  The “blue” status indicates that gifted programming is mandated by the state and is partially funded by the state.  If the proposed regulations are adopted, our status could fall down three levels to “red” status, which indicates that gifted programming is not mandated.  While, the intentions of the DOE are that individual school boards will mandate the programming, in our current SOL driven education system, the reality is that many systems will simply cease to provide services to gifted students.  

Currently, there is a wide discrepancy between gifted programming throughout the state.  My own children and my fifth grade zone based students in Henrico County have far greater gifted services available to them than does my own fifth grade gifted nephew who attends a system in the southwestern part of the state.  Without state regulation, these differences in programming will only increase, and Virginia as a state will cease to be a leader in gifted education. 

Another major area of concern is that the funding section of the current regulations has been completely eliminated in the proposed regulations.  Does this mean that school systems will no longer receive funding from the state?  Many studies suggest that NCLB has already caused states to decrease the amount invested in gifted education.  Are we next in Virginia?

As educational professionals, we need to become familiar with the fine print in these proposed regulations, as these are just two of my many concerns.  I would urge the state to take a closer look at these regulations, and keep Virginia in the forefront of gifted education!