As an advocate for gifted education and a parent of children attending public school in Virginia, I am alarmed by the proposed regulation changes the DOE is currently considering.  If all proposed changes to G/T policy are adopted gifted education as we know it will surely be seriously compromised.  It is unthinkable to me that funds administered by the DOE for the education of gifted students should be used for anything other than gifted education.  If localities begin using these funds to cover shortfalls in school board budgets, where does that leave these bright young minds which need the stimulation and enrichment given by G/T programs in our state?

Furthermore, moving from a five-year plan to an annual review of gifted funding leaves the programs too vulnerable to erradic changes in short-term economic conditions, school division personnel, etc. Therefore, the five-year review process should be allowed to stand.

Gifted education is extremely vital to Virginia's and the nation's education scheme as a whole.  Today's gifted children are tomorrow's leaders and innovators.  We should be placing a premium on the cultivation of these individuals, not yanking the rug from beneath their feet.