Kate Simkowiak

legislation

Governor Gregoire Signed SB 5919 Which Implements A New Definition Of Basic Education

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Significant day for Highly Capable Programs in the state of Washington. Governor Gregoire signed SB 5919 that implements the new definition of basic education, effective September 1, 2011. This bill places Highly Capable Programs within the definition of basic education, which gives it the constitutional protections that accompany basic ed. It mandates that all districts must provide appropriate programs and services to identified highly capable students.

Senate Bill to Delay Inclusion of Highly Capable in Basic Education

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On Monday, January 31st, the Washington State Senate K-12 Education Committee will hold a public hearing at 1:30 p.m. on Senate Bill 5475, a recently submitted bill that includes a delay of inclusion of Highly Capable in the 2009 Education Reform Bill definition of basic education until 2013-2014. If SB5475 passes as currently written, highly capable programming would remain optional for districts to provide and vulnerable to funding cuts that basic education funds are not.

If it is possible for you to attend this meeting and make public comment on this bill, please follow these links for details on how and where to testify.

Committee Agenda and Meeting Location

How to Testify in Committee

Basic Information on Visiting the Legislature and List of Related Links

Are You Coming to Gifted Education Day 2011? Here’s How You Can Let Us Know!

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YOU ARE INVITED

Please plan now to attend Gifted Education Day in Olympia

We are all in this together! And we need you!

DATE: Friday, February 11th, 2011

TIME: 7:30 AM ~ leave Terrace Park School by carpool and/or caravan

Estimate 3:00 PM ~ leave Olympia ~ (optional, pizza dinner)

WHERE: State Capitol Building in Olympia, WA.

WHO: Parent(s), Child(ren), Teachers and Administrators of Edmonds School District Highly Capable Programs

PLEASE NOTE: If you attended the Thursday, January 6th meeting in the Commons and completed the sign-up sheets there, or have already turned in a form to the school, we have your information and you do NOT need to return this form, unless you wish to order more t-shirts. Thank you!

Please click on the Attendee form link below, print, complete, and return the form and any payment due for t-shirts to your child’s teacher or the CPA box in the Terrace Park Office by Monday, January 31st.

You may also email the requested information to challengeparents@gmail.com.

Attendee form

Update – From the Washington Coalition for Gifted Education

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Threat of a Special Session is Back

There has been a significant amount of budget news over the last two days.  Both the Washington State House Democratic Caucusand the Washington State Senate Republican Caucus released responses to Governor Gregoire’s earlier suggestion of budget cuts.  The House Democratic Caucus proposal would leave in place the earlier across the board cuts to highly capable funding that the Governor imposed, but would go no further and would not eliminate all funding for FY2011.  The Senate Republican Caucus also would not result in any additional cuts to highly capable funding.  Representative Alexander also sent a letter to the Governor that argued that whatever cuts are made in a special session, they should not be retroactive.  As you might remember, the Governor’s original proposal would have made the elimination of highly capable funding for fiscal year 2011 retroactive to September 1, 2010.

It remains unclear whether there will be enough agreement to justify a special session, though there is mounting pressure for all sides in the discussion to resolve their differences and get something together very quickly.  The Seattle Times editorialized yesterdaythat the Governor’s cuts, including the elimination of highly capable funding, should be adopted immediately.  It is essential that you contact your representatives now, before a special session begins.  Once a special session begins, it is quite likely that there will already be an agreed upon solution in mind.  Your chance to influence your legislators is now.

Great news from the Northwest Gifted Child Association

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Dear NWGCA Members,

We have finally received word that the Governor signed the budget without vetoing any portion of the funding for gifted education. This is a monumental testimonial to the hard work of every person who supports the gifted education community. I have copied those areas of the budget that apply to gifted education. Please share this information with all those people who rely on you for information about gifted education and with your school board members and the school administrators responsible for gifted education in your district.

Thank you for your hard work this legislative session.