2010 Legislative Session
Well, it is finally over! I want to summarize our actions in the Legislature this session.
1. SB 6604 originally contained a clause for highly capable funding “as funds may be available” which we felt would hamper proper funding for years to come. After our testimony this section of the bill was removed and has not reappeared in the version which passed the Legislature and has gone to the Governor for signature. We consider this a substantial victory.
2. HB 2776 for implementation of educational reform in Sept. 2011 has passed the Legislature and gone to the Governor for signature. Highly Capable Programs will become a mandated part of basic education beginning September 2011 with special supplementary funding. This will complete our victory of last year in being made part of basic education. You must be aware however, that this does not mean more money for highly capable programs as the funding formula is based on the 2009-2010 budget appropriations.
3. SB 6696 also passed the Legislature and has gone to the Governor for signature. This bill contains the other measures needed for education reform, such as accountability for low performing schools, teacher, principal and superintendent evaluations, and several other items. It does contain directions for use of student data in these evaluations which support our work with the Data Governanace Group – see next item.
Data Governanace Working Group
The Coalition is working closely with the Data Governance Working Group on implementation of data gathering on Highly Capable Programs beginning September 2011 and with the Quality Education Council to resolve any outstanding questions about the programs. We will keep you informed of our activities.
Javits Grants
The deadline for requesting your Representative to sign the Dear Colleague letter on the Javits Gifted and Talented Student Education Act is today; there is still time to to contact Senators Murray and Cantwell. Please go to our last message and use the links provided to contact them. This is vitally important as the Javits Grants are the only federal funding that goes for gifted and talented program research.
Special Session
The Legislature returns to work on Monday to adopt a budget and tax package for 2010-2011. In the versions of the budget currently under consideration highly capable programs take only a 2% cut to $9.185 million. The funding will get us through the transition year of 2010-2011, until we become a part of basic education in Sept. 2011. This of course, could change in the negotiations that will be taking place. You may wish to contact your Legislators to support this funding. We will keep you informed.
Thank You!
Our successes in the just-concluded Legislative short session are due to the work of all of you in contacting your Legislators and in attending Gifted Education Day. A big Thank You!