(The following is a message from the Washington Coalition for Gifted Education.)

Many legislators are holding Town Hall meetings in their districts on February 22 – this weekend! Town Halls are a great opportunity to share your concerns about Highly Capable funding and services in your district. Your perspective and your voice are important to your elected officials. Please attend your Town Hall, and share your stories!

Here is a short message for you to deliver this weekend! A list of Town Halls and locations is below.

Highly capable programming is now part of the state’s program of basic education. We are hopeful that going forward all children — including highly capable — will have equitable access to an appropriate education that won’t depend on their zip code.

The state’s current funding for highly capable is not a funding level supported by research, nor is it consistent with changes to the definition of basic education passed by the legislature, which requires a continuum of services, K-12.  In fact, state allocations don’t even cover a fifth of the actual cost. Currently, the state is about $48 million shy of covering additional costs involved.

Without sufficient funding, we are concerned that equitable access goals will not be realized:

·       Children in small and rural districts having access to appropriate highly capable programs.

·       Students of color, students facing high poverty and students dealing with language or disability barriers being identified as highly capable.

·       A continuum of highly capable programs and support, K-12.