I have many concerns regarding the proposed changes to the state regulations regarding gifted education.  First, without state oversight, I fear many localities may revert to less effective and less structured educational programs for their identified gifted populations.  If anything, our movement should be forward, improving and expanding our programs, not the reverse.  Our gifted students have already been stagnated in many schools by our systemic focus on leaving no child behind.  In looking behind, we often pull back those who are ahead.  If our state does not continue to have regulations in place protecting the education of gifted students, I fear for the futures of these bright and enthusiastic learners. The proposed changes to the identification process are also inadequate to move Virginia's gifted education forward.   Please reconsider these proposed changes.  Please edit, amend and repair this proposal before the damage of its effects are felt across the Commonwealth in the classrooms of our best and brightest, our future!