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Director of gifted education
The Division of Special Education is set to hire a new Assessment Coordinator/Gifted Education Director. The ideal candidate would have a background in gifted education, preferably with graduate training in gifted education and expertise in gifted education policy. The candidate should be committed to enforcing current laws and helping the Department of Education create a multi-year plan to improve gifted education within special education and general education.
Parents can write a brief, polite note encouraging the Division of Special Education to hire someone with advanced training in gifted education. You might explain why members of professional organizations who vigorously oppose current gifted laws and policies may not be ideal candidates. Joseph Fisher Governor's Schools EliminatedGovernor Sundquist eliminated all seven Governor's Schools in summer 2002 to save $750,000. They may not be restored. Eight hundred gifted and talented high school juniors and seniors are selected to attend the month long school. For more information see:
If you send an email to govt@gsfta.org it will automatically be copied and sent to every state Senator and Representative. U.S. Congress considers increased funding for Javits gifted programThe Javits gifted and talented education program is the ONLY federal program that funds research, programs, and teacher training in gifted education. [More] The Javits program also supports a major gifted research center. [More] Senator Grassley (Iowa) and Representative Gallegly (Calif.) have written letters to their respective appropriations subcommittees urging members to fund the Javits program in fiscal year 2003 at $25 million – more than double the current funding. [Update] TIGER SUPPORTS THIS LEGISLATION. Six of the Tennessee Congressional Delegation signed the appropriations letter. TIGER is monitoring the legislative process and will post information when it becomes available. Representatives supporting increased funding: Van Hilleary (TN-4) Charter Schools Considered**SB0887 by *Atchley, *Ford J. (HB1131 by *Winningham.) A recent compromise makes the passage of these bills more likely. Some charter schools under the compromise could use accelerated or specialized curricula, which means that state-funded 'model' schools, such as a Math and Science Upper School, could be a possibility. For more information see:
*Note: TIGER has taken no position on this legislation. Maddox-Herron BillSB3144 by *Herron. (*HB2934 by *Maddox.) Rep. Mark Maddox and Sen. Roy Herron introduced a bill that explicitly removes gifted students from special education. TIGER believes that if this bill passes, gifted children will probably lose significant legal rights and protections, such as mandated identification, mandated services, IEPs, due process, etc. TIGER OPPOSED THIS LEGISLATION. This bill was taken off notice. TIGER will continue to monitor the bill. Bunch-Miller BillSB2438 by *Miller J. (*HB2388 by *Bunch.) Rep. Bunch and Sen. Miller introduced legislation that could remove gifted education from special education. It instructs the state board of education to redefine and reduce the scope of special education. According to a department of education lawyer, "gifted" might be one category cut from special education. TIGER OPPOSED THIS LEGISLATION. Sen. Miller allowed his bill (SB2438) to be "general sub-ed," which means unless someone takes an interest in it, it is effectively dead. TIGER will monitor the bill. How to Contact Elected OfficialsFederal Government
State GovernmentIf you don't know who your state senator and representative are, then check out these maps:
Members most concerned with education issues:
Here are more convenient methods for writing the education committee members:
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