Please do not change Section 8 VAC 20-40-60, Local plan, which proposes changing approval of local gifted plans from the Department of Education to local school boards.  We are concerned that  local school boards may not have the expertise to assure parents that their locality's plan does indeed meet the standards set in the regualtions.  Also, in reference to this same section we feel that a return to a one year rather than a five year plan is a mistake. Why would we risk meeting the academic needs of our future doctors, scientists, teachers, mathematicians, etc?   

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Amelia and Robert Phillips, Ph.D. University of Richmond