A line item for gifted funding still needs to be added to the state budget.
The proposed Rules & Regulations for gifted funding are available for public comment until May 15.
The scheduled deadline for the General Assembly's adjournment last Friday has passed. However, both the House and Senate have sessions scheduled again Monday, April 10.
According to Sally Walker, Executive Director, IAGC: "We...still want folks to contact legislators until the session adjourns. No one has a clue when the Big 4 will meet. Public comment is still needed for the rules and regs so that they will be ready whenever the funding happens. We need the rules and regs to be ready, 'just in case', and hopefully some districts will use them as guidelines for their programs."
Therefore, it's critical for people to act on the two calls below and urge everyone they know to do the same
.
Thanks,
TJM
1. Last days left to contact your legislators to restore gifted funding.
Here's all you have to do (if you have not already done so):
- Phone or fax your state Senator and Representative. [Letters arrive too late; e-mails get overlooked.] If you need contact info, go to http://www.vote-smart.org/index.htm; enter your 9-digit zipcode.
- Identify yourself as a consituent (name, address, zipcode).
- Urge your legislators to encourage the four leaders below to include gifted funding as a line item in the budget.
Ultimately, these four will decide if gifted is to be included. They are:
- Senate President, Emil Jones, Jr - District 14
- Senate Leader Frank C. Watson - District 51
- House Speaker Michael Madigan - District 22
- House Leader Tom Cross - District 84
Otherwise, we'll be like the baseball team that has to say, "Wait 'til next year."
- Can your kids wait?
- Phone or fax now.
2. Gifted Funding Rules Deadline May 15
Those of us on the ISBE Advisory Council on the Education of Gifted and Talented Children worked on preparing the Rules and Regulations. Did we miss something?
The Proposed Rules and Regulations about funding for Illinois gifted education are now available for public comment.
Public comment must be submitted before the deadline, May 15, 2006.
- Anyone who wants to comment needs to do so for the record, in writing.
- An oral statement to members of the Gifted Advisory Council IS NOT public comment.
- Send it either via e-mail (addressed to rules@isbe.net)
- or via standard mail addressed to:
Sally Vogl, Agency Rules Coordinator, ISBE,
100 North First Street - W-475,
Springfield, Illinois 62777-0001
Read the proposed rules. Send your comments by e-mail or letter by May 15.
THANKS TO:
- Sally Walker, Executive Director, IAGC
- Carol McCue, Principal Consultant, Federal Grants and Programs, ISBE