At our general meeting on November 30, members of the Coalition decided on our priority for the next legislative session. Our main effort will be to increase state funding for HCP. This can only be done by changing the formula. In order to change the formula, we will need specific legislation since the current formula is enacted in statute.
We are waiting to see what the QEC recommends to the Legislature regarding HCP funding. In prior recommendations they have asked the Legislature to enact a new funding formula. If their recommendations this year continue to request this, and they suggest a specific piece of legislation, we will support that bill. If the recommendation does not contain suggested legislation, we will have to feel our way forward, depending on the mood of the Legislature.
We recognize that 2013 may not be the year to request more money. However, the McCleary decision requires the Legislature to show year by year progress to full funding for basic education, and a new formula for HCP goes some way to meet that requirement at a relatively low cost.
Last year, advocates gathered in Olympia to say thank you to legislators for making HCP an integral part of basic education. Our theme for Gifted Education Day, March 19, will be to continue to educate legislators on the unique needs of gifted students. Approximately 1/3rd of the Legislature will consist of new members so we have a gigantic job ahead of us. The upcoming Gifted Education Day Handbook will contain a number of suggested themes you can use when talking with your legislators. A list of legislators will be forthcoming. Start planning now to join us in Olympia on March 19th.
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Have you talked/corresponded with a legislator recently? Will you be talking/corresponding with one in the coming months? If yes, we will appreciate hearing from you about the conversation. Please email us the following information about any contacts you make.
Name and title of person contacted:
Type of contact (personal or group visit) (email contact) (letter) (phone)
Issues discussed:
Is the Coalition expected to follow up with this contact?
Describe any follow-up needed:
Notes and comments; was contact supportive or enthusiastic about HCP:
Your name:
Group, if any:
Your email address or other contact information in case we need to check with you:
Note: Legislators now request that we send everything by email and not send printed letters and materials unless specifically requested. Email addresses of current or re-elected members are on the legislature web site. Email addresses of newly elected members will be available after the start of session, January 14th.
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On the federal level, a petition garnering support for the TALENT Act, is on line. If you wish to support the petition, you can use the links on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/wagifted or go to NAGC and click on Petition on the Talent Act to lend your support. http://www.nagc.org/
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Are you looking for educational opportunities online for yourself or your gifted students? The Coalition’s internet service provider recently sent this list of online education resources. I checked them and they are legitimate. Sending this list to you does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement; it is for informational purposes only.
Kahn Academy: award-winning education site for all ages (free)
Starfall: specializes in pre-K & K-2 phonics and reading (free)
Funbrain: popular free site for educational games & comics
Study Ladder: videos, activities, worksheets & more in 10 subjects (free trials + subscriptions)
Academic Earth: free videos & courses from top U.S. universities
Purdue OWL: leading free writing lab; great writing & grammar exercises
MIT OpenCourseWare: get virtually all MIT course content for free
Coursera: free online courses from the world’s top universities
Smarthistory: art history education by time, style, artist or theme
CreativeLIVE: free workshops in photography, design, filmmaking & more