As an educator and a parent of a gifted child, I believe the submission and approval by the Department of Education should remain and not be determined by the local school board as proposed through this revision.

8VAC20-40-60. Local plan, local advisory committee, and annual report.

A. Each school division board shall submit to the Department of Education for approval a review and approve annually a comprehensive plan for the education of gifted students that includes the components identified in these regulations. Modifications to the plan shall be reported to the Department of Education on dates specified by the department. The development process for the school division’s local plan for the education of the gifted shall include opportunities for public review of the school division’s plan. The approved local plan shall be accessible through the school division’s website and the school division shall ensure that printed copies of the comprehensive plan are available to citizens who do not have online access. T