Please under no circumstances should the "Propsed Revision of Gifted Program Regulations" be made. If these revisions  are implemented, gifted education in Virginia will take many steps backward in meeting the needs of gifted and talented students. The great state of Virginia should be looking for opportunities to increase, not decrease, support of this student population.

Gifted and talented students will make positive changes in our country and our world by: discovering cures for diseases; serving as diplomats; finding alternative energy sources; creating symphonies; or inventing things that haven't yet been imagined.

This will continue only if students have an excellent K-12 education which meets their academic needs, keeps them engaged, challenged, motivated, and focused on an academic path toward higher education. There are published studies indicating a significant percentage of high school drop-outs are identified gifted students. 

It's a sad reflection on our values as a nation that there is still no federal mandate to meet the real needs of gifted and talented students; and it is even sadder that Virginia is considering removing the positive steps made by the state in support this unique population.

A five-year plan for the gifted and talented offers the opportunity for a committee to become familiar with state requirements, create both long and short-term goals, analyze and evalutate progress, and have the plan reviewed by educational peers outside of the division. This committee has input from educators, parents, and administrators, which allows for many points of view, thus making the plan stronger. 

Having the proposed plan submitted to the Department of Education for approval assures that it meets state requirements and students are being treated fairly across the Commonwealth. It is important to have uniform standards and regulations in place statewide.

Funds allocated by the state for gifted education should be approved by the Board of Education to ensure that these funds are used to support activities approved by the BOE.

Virginia should take a leadeship role in gifted education - to be recognized for innovation - not noted for taking away support from gifted and talented programs. Our society needs these students and the contributions they will make through their gifts and talents to our state, country, and world.