This nation is currently catering only to those at the bottom of the ability/achievement spectrum.  If we lose our talented children in average or less than average educational systems, the nation and the world lose.  Please leave in the language restricting allocated state money to the gifted program.  Already in Henrico County we are not serving all the gifted students defined as "those who demonstrate high levels of accomplishment or who show the potential for higher levels of accomplishment..."  Only one child from my children's elementary school was selected for the 07-08 gifted program.  There are certainly more who should have been offered a spot.