The U.S. Congress is preparing to vote on funding for the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act for the next fiscal year. This act has provided crucial funding to gifted education programs and research into best practices nationwide. Since 2003, the funding for these grants has been reduced, adversely impacting programs and organizations in their ability to serve talented and gifted students. A substantial portion of the funding for this act is dedicated to improving methods for identifying disadvantaged gifted and talented youth and getting them into programs that help them to fulfill their academic potentials.

Currently, none of Washington state’s federal representatives are signers on what are known as the “Dear Colleague” letters. House and Senate versions of “Dear Colleague” letters are distributed to members of each legislative body emphasizing the importance of funding the Javits Act at the pre-2003 level, and are signed by House or Senate members who support this position.

The House has completed and distributed its letter, however there is still time for Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray from Washington state to add their signatures to the Senate’s “Dear Colleague” letter. Please contact both senators and urge them to add their names to the supporters of strong and effective funding for Javits Act grants in 2011.

The deadline for adding signatures is April 13. Congress is currently on its Easter break, so most legislators should be back in their home districts right now.