Yesterday, I wrote about the zeroing out of Javits Act funding in the proposed 2010 federal budget. This money would fund research on how to serve disadvantaged (poor, limited-English proficient, disabled, etc.) gifted students.
Some grants the program makes are multi-year (like this one) and those research projects are in danger if this loss of funding becomes a reality.
You can take action now at FundGiftedEducation.com. Please take a minute today to write a letter - especially if your House member is on the Appropriations Committee.
If the bill proceeds through the Appropriations Committee tomorrow without the $7.5 million this program needs it will be next to impossible to add it when it hits the House floor.
Below are some quotes from letters people have written:
I am writing to urge you to actively support and vote to reinstate funding in fiscal year 2010 for the Jacob Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act with at least $7.5 million. A small financial amount that can have a huge impact on our nation and our future.
The U.S. is in desperate need of well-educated workers. Gifted children have the same rights to need-based education as ordinary or challenged children, but there are far fewer resourses available to meet and nurture their needs. In fact, not much is known about how best to meet their needs.
The purpose of the Jacob Javits Act is to carry out a coordinated program of scientifically based research, demonstration projects, innovative strategies, and similar activities designed to build and enhance the ability of elementary and secondary schools to meet the special education needs of gifted and talented students. -Anonymous
Finally, when one considers the statement made by the federal government (found on www.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/index.html): "ED currently administers a budget of $62.6 billion in regular FY 2009 discretionary appropriations and $96.8 billion in discretionary funding provided under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009—and operates programs that touch on every area and level of education." and then considers the cutting of funding for gifted students, the statement will no longer be true. Gifted students will be the ONLY students in the United States who are not funded (even in its miniscule amount) by the federal government. I for one would be appalled to believe that the best and brightest students in our country - those called on during times of need by our government, and thought of only when our national defense is in jeopary (i.e. during the time of the launch of Sputnik by the Soviets) - will be relegated to find their own funding.
Rep. Salazar, my son had his picture taken with you last year in Washington, DC as he attended a Presidential Classroom 'camp' for "Intelligence and National Security." Having the opportunity to meet you and to see the inside workings of pieces of the federal government were once in a lifetime opportunities for him. He is one of the "Best and Brightest" the state of Colorado has to offer to the future of our great country. He dreams of helping to keep our country #1 but I guarantee you that others like him will never reach their potential if they are not provided the opportunities that gifted programming can provide them. - Linda Pfeiffer - Loveland, CO