[UAGCNews] Good News!

[Michelle Fish]

An update about the Javits program from Jane Clarenbach and NAGC—with encouragement to become active educating members of Congress about the importance of gifted education!

 

Greetings everyone,

 

I have some news to share on the Javits program:

 

(1)  The House passed a “continuing resolution” that funds most federal agencies & programs in 2007 at the 2006 levels; the Senate is expected to pass it on February 15.  This means that the Javits program will receive $9.5 million for fiscal year 2007 – the same funding as it received in 2006. 

 

Keep in mind that the funding "victory" is due to the fact that the new Congress opted for a speedy resolution rather than dragging the 2007 appropriations process any farther into the fiscal year (which began on October 1).  Although advocates did a great job of working with Congress last year, you’ll recall that only the Senate included funding for the program, and then at a level of just over $5 million.  We need to expand our advocacy efforts if we’re to secure funding for next year.

 

I understand that although the NRC/GT will be funded in 2007, there will not be a state grant competition.  Apparently, the funds will go to complete previous grants and to restore cuts that some of the current grants had to make in the last two years.  HOWEVER, we will be working from a $9.5 million level when we discuss the program with Congress – a far better situation than beginning at $5 million.

 

 

(2)  The fiscal year 2008 process kicked off yesterday when the President submitted his fiscal year 2008 budget to the Congress.  The request for education programs, $56 billion, included $0 for the Javits program.  Not a surprise, of course – this is the sixth time that President Bush has not included funds for the Javits program in his budget request.  You can see additional information about the President's budget request for education at http://www.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/budget08/summary/index.html

 

I’ve updated our website with the basic information for your members.  See http://www.nagc.org/index.aspx?id=585.  I also included some suggestions on how state groups and individuals can begin, NOW, to educate Congress to the needs of gifted students.  We can’t count on another lucky break this year – if we want to see funds for new Javits state grants, we must begin the process of explaining the value of the program.  Many members of Congress might think that a small program cannot be effective.  We know differently.  We know that curriculum and assessment instruments developed with Javits funds years ago are of continued value today.  We know that training teachers in gifted education strategies through a Javits grant helps students years after the end of the grant.  We know that the research conducted through the National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented is used by districts across the nation to develop best practices in their classrooms.  

 

We KNOW the positive stories, and if we don’t have them, we know that we need them. And, if you have a good story or two, PLEASE share it with me, I need as many as you'll send! 

 

I’ll keep you posted as we move along this year.  But, given that there are new Members of Congress who don’t know the details of numerous education issues, it’s never too early to get started "educating" them on gifted and talented education.  Please ask your members and other supporters to communicate with Congress on the needs of gifted learners; we’ll be back with specific messages in the near future.

 

Thank you; please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have questions.

 

Jane

 

 

Jane Clarenbach, J.D.

Director, Public Education & Affiliate Relations

National Association for Gifted Children

1707 L St., NW, Suite 550

Washington, DC  20036

202-785-4268

202-785-4248 (f)

www.nagc.org