HCP funding is our primary issue for the next legislative session. First, at a minimum, to retain the funding that we have and second to have the funding formula changed to reflect the realities of having HCP as a part of basic education. A change could mean a substantial increase in state funding.

Across the state, new and re-elected legislators will be preparing for the next session in Olympia.  Since Legislators are in an information-gathering stage, NOW is the time to contact your legislators to introduce yourself as a constituent and to tell them that you support Highly Capable Programs. Tell them the 2.314% funding basis is too low. We currently serve 4.62%, with the vast majority of that funding local levy funds; every task force that’s looked at it said 2.314% was inadequate and that 5% was more appropriate; and that in the end we want the inclusion of HCP in Basic Ed to be meaningful, providing adequate and appropriate programming

Attached is the position statement on funding submitted by the Coalition to the Joint Task Force on Education Funding and the Quality Education Council. Both will be submitting recommendations to the Legislature before the end of the year. Also attached is the joint comment on the proposed revision of the Washington Administrative Code. As you might expect, the comment deals with the issue of funding.

Adequate funding will be the theme of Gifted Education Day, March 19, 2013. Plan to join advocates in Olympia to talk with legislators about the needs of highly capable students. We’ll be sending out more information as we get closer to the date. Preparation of the new Gifted Education Day Handbook is underway.

*** Members of the Coalition will be meeting Friday, November 30 at the Burien Community Center, 14700 6th Avenue SW, Burien, beginning at 10 am. We will be planning our strategy for the legislative session and begin planning for Gifted Education Day. If you live in the Puget Sound area, please join us. Everyone is welcome! ***

A large amount of pertinent information is posted to the Coalition’s Facebook page. As of today, we have 611 followers. We would like to reach 750 by the time the legislature goes into session in January. A number that large gives us much more “heft” when talking with legislators.

So, if you use Facebook, please “like” us at http://www.facebook.com/wagifted We also have a blog where many of our messages are posted at http://wcge.wordpress.com