Advocacy
Lisa Wirthman wrote an excellent commentary in a Aug. 15, 2010 Denver Post article called Stranded At The Top. She describes how our education system focuses on getting students to the top, yet neglects the ones who are already there. She quotes Anne Robinson, the President of the National Association of Gifted Children as saying how education reform underinvests in "the very student population most likely to be its next generation of innovators, discoverers, and pioneers." This article is a great synopsis of how education reform requires a more equitable approach that should include special services that address the unique needs of gifted children in our school system who are truly "special needs students." (Read the entire article http://www.denverpost.com/ci_15762619?source=sb-facebook)
One of the ways that BVGT is helping to bring attention to this situation is by educating those who work with and raise gifted children, and by bringing community awareness to the plight of gifted children in our area. By becoming a BVGT member you are voting for education reform that includes special services and support for the unique learning and affective needs of gifted children. Join us today and get involved in advocating for gifted education reform!
Get Involved
Great Futures - Colorado Ballet Initiatives
Colorado Funding for Gifted Education
Federal Funding - Javitz Program
BVGT Resolution for Colorado 2010 November Ballot Initiatives
WHEREAS passage of Amendment 60, Amendment 61 and/or Proposition 101 would be devastating to Colorado’s children and economy; and NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Boulder Valley Gifted and Talented officially declares its opposition to the passage of Amendments 60 and 61 and Proposition 101.
Great Futures Coallition
Let Us DECIDE! from Great Education Colorado on Vimeo.
Javitz
With Congress on the verge of eliminating the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act, the only federal program dedicated to identifying best practices in gifted education, CEC ask that you urge your Representative to sign on to the Courtney-Gallegly letter, rejecting elimination of the Javits program.
The Javits program focuses on high-ability, low-income students and provides critical resources to help teachers and school leaders to identify and serve gifted students. Additionally, eliminating the Javits program will result in the closure of the National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented.
Dear Gifted Student Education Leaders and Advocates,
Last spring, an informal decision from the Attorney General’s Office removed the matching funds requirement for school districts who receive GT funds from the state.
The attached memo describes a proposed change pertaining to the matching fund provision in the budget section of the gifted education rules. If the rules change, then BVSD (or any other district) could decide only to spend the state allocation for its gifted and talented programming. The state allocation does not provide districts with the funds necessary to serve students who require GT services or provide needed outreach to parents, educators, and the school community.
We should speak out against this rule change for the same reasons we've advocated for more funding overall. GT is underfunded in Colorado. The per pupil allocation is far less for GT students than for other high needs populations. The state allocation is simply not enough and if districts decide not to match the state allocation, then our students and programs will suffer.
Please send your comments to Jacquelin Medina, the sate Director of Gifted Education at medina_j@cde.state.co.us by September 1, 2010. Jacquelin needs your input to take forward to the State Board of Education.
Thank you for your work and advocacy in gifted education. Sincerely, BVSD Advanced Academic Services Office Jennifer Barr & Becky Whittenburg