​NAGC Statement on Administration’s FY2021 Budget: Funding the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program helps support our nation's minority and low-income gifted students.
February 11, 2020As the Administration released its FY2021 Budget Request for the U.S. Department of Education yesterday, the Secretary of Education stated that, “All students should have the freedom to pursue an education that develops their talents, unleashes their unique potential, and prepares them for a successful life.” Unfortunately, NAGC is disappointed to see that the Administration has again proposed elimination of the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program, the only federal funding stream specifically committed to gifted and talented students.
“Research has clearly shown that the academic needs of gifted and talented students are rarely met in regular classrooms,” said Jonathan Plucker, NAGC President. “Although the funding directed to the Javits program is small compared to the overall federal education budget, its influence is significant. Maintaining the program will empower educators to implement effective practices that make a difference in the lives of all gifted and talented children.”
Plucker explained further: “We need to expand availability and access to gifted programs and services, and Javits funding has proven to be particularly important in supporting efforts to reach minority and low-income gifted students who are too often overlooked.” A study from the National Center for Research on Gifted Education showed that minority children living in poverty who are performing at the same level as their gifted peers are 250% less likely to be identified for and served in gifted programs.
Reversing this inequity in educational opportunities for our nation’s gifted and talented students is imperative. NAGC strongly urges the Administration and the leaders in the Congress to maintain and increase the $13 million currently allocated for the Javits program to help ensure every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential. 
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The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) represents approximately 3,000 educators, parents, and advocates who work to help all gifted and talented children as they strive to achieve their personal best and contribute to their communities. NAGC's mission is to support those who enhance the growth and development of gifted and talented children through education, advocacy, community building, and research.
Contact: John Segota, 202-785-4268

Javits Update:

Congress has agreed to increase the funding for the U.S. Department of Education to $72.8 billion.  This includes a $1 million increase for the Javits education grant program. Thank you for all of your advocacy to make this happen.

2020 NAGC Leadership & Advocacy Conference Update:
 
Here is the agenda for the 2020 Leadership & Advocacy Conference, in the Washington, DC area, March 15-17 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Alexandria Old Town.
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Look at this new national research report from edWeek: https://www.edweek.org/media/2019/11/25/gt%20survey%20report-final%2011.25.19.pdf


What do you think about the state of gifted education in our nation? Are we making progress? What does the data show you?

State and Local Update
 
Advocacy matters, and here are a few highlights of positive advocacy work:

• This summer the Arizona Association for Gifted and Talented (AAGT) facilitated a successful school visit for U.S. Congressman Raúl Grijalva. Representative Grijalva is a senior Democratic member of the House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor.  Here is the video, press release, and a news article highlighting their Congressional visit. 
• The Connecticut Association for the Gifted (CAG) helped their state pass “the second gifted-focused law in three years.” “The new law requires schools to inform parents about not only the results of a student’s gifted-identification process, but also an explanation of how the student was identified.”
• The Massachusetts Association for Gifted Education (MAGE) has been equally busy working on five gifted education bills. 
• The New Jersey Association for Gifted Children (NJAGC) has been working to pass the Strengthening Gifted Education Act. This Act includes various provisions to support gifted and talented education such as multiple measures for identifying gifted and talented students.  Earlier this month the New Jersey Senate passed this legislation. 
• Looking toward the next legislative session, the Washington Coalition for Gifted Education is making universal screening their number one priority.

Javits Update

Earlier this month, the U.S. Senate appropriations committee proposed maintaining the current Javits education grant program funding at $12 million.  The U.S. House of Representatives education appropriations subcommittee proposed $4.4 billion in new funding for the United States Department of Education, and it included a $2 million increase in funding ($14 million) for the Javits gifted education program. 
 
Please continue to work with your Federal legislators to encourage them to support Javits funding in the final bicameral appropriations bill at the $14 million level proposed by the House.   

113th Congress

Update:  The Jacob Javits Gifted & Talented Students Education Act received $5 million for fiscal year 2014. Thanks in large part to Senate Appropriations Committee chair Barbara Mikulski (MD), this is the first time since fiscal year 2011 that the Javits program has received any funding. The Javits Act funds the National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented as well as applied research on identifying and serving underrepresented gifted students. 

The next step will be for the U.S. Department of Education to develop guidelines for the grants made with these new funds, likely in late spring or early summer.

It's It is always important to introduce, or re-introduce ourselves to our Members of Congress and their staff , letting them know about the gifted students in their districts and states, and raising awareness of how federal legislation and funding can make a difference for them and for the nation.  Visit www.house.gov and www.senate.gov for email addresses and other contact information for your Members of Congress.  We have also posted a printable version of the Congressional Directory.  Consider making in-person visits to their district offices in the home state. 

Legislation expires at the end of each Congress if it is not enacted.  Therefore, NAGC's legislative initiatives must be renewed in the 113th Congress.  The House and Senate committees on education handle the majority of legislation most relevant to gifted education advocates.  Although it's important to reach out to all Members of Congress, we need to do even more with the men and women serving on these committees. Check the committee rosters to determine if your Members of Congress serve on them and if so, you know that it's especially important to begin early to develop a relationship with that office, and the staff person handling education issues. 


Contact: Megan Peters (megan.peters@tag-tenn.org)

Parents of gifted children are one of the most important advocacy groups when it comes to improving the educational experiences of the gifted. But it's difficult to accomplish change alone. Prufrock Press and the National Association for Gifted Children have teamed up to offer a free e-guide to starting a parent support group in your area. Check it out, and make sure to contact us if you are starting a parent group in Tennessee!