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Speak out about gifted education at the monthly public testimony session of the State Board of Education, open topics, date now set for June 17.
Will you please sign up to speak out for gifted education at the monthly public testimony session of the State Board of Education on June 17? Pass this on to other parents and educators who will help NJAGC to make a difference for gifted children. Let us know if you plan to go or if you will send your testimony, by writing to
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Call 609-984-6024 by Friday, June 12 before noon, to register your spot. If you cannot attend, please consider mailing your testimony in for consideration by the State Board of Education SBOE [see below.] We need the State Board of Education to notice that there are many concerns about education for gifted students in New Jersey. Only three times per year are the topics unrestricted, so we need to let the state board of education know on June 17 about changes negatively impacting services to gifted students in your district or school. Any adult or well spoken student may address members of the board (usually only 3 board members in a small room setting), for a maximum time of 5 minutes each, about issues related to public education in New Jersey. Tell them if you chose "private or home school" due to your school not meeting your child's gifted academic or social emotional needs. Let them know if your district appears out of compliance with state administrative code requirements for gifted education K-12, identification and services. Speak to the concerns you have about a free and appropriate education for your child. Ask the State Board to revisit and implement some of the recommendations of the Commission to Study Gifted and Talented Programs. http://www.state.nj.us/education/educators/commission/gifted.pdf Report reductions in services due budgetary or NCLB concerns. Has your district's gifted program changed in the last several years? If it has been reduced, the state board needs to know. Ask the NJ State Board of Education to monitor gifted education more closely. Once per month gifted advocates are needed to present to the State Board of Education on the third Wednesday of each month at 3 pm in Trenton. Directions to sign up can be found online. Need help with your testimony? Want to address NJAGC's issues along with anecdotal references to your child's needs? Just email
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for help. Read previous testimonies for ideas. Free download, pdf versions of speeches. http://www.state.nj.us/cgi-bin/education/sboe/pubtest.pl?y=2007&m=February&t=A
[see Adriana Santomero, Brandon Kaplowitz, Risa Kaplowitz, Roberta Braverman] and
http://www.state.nj.us/cgi-bin/education/sboe/pubtest.pl?y=2007&m=February&t=B
[see Caroline Hoedemaker and Elise Backman] and
http://www.state.nj.us/cgi-bin/education/sboe/pubtest.pl?y=2007&m=May&t=B
[see Alexa Marchovecchio, Brett Irwin, Helene Marcovecchio, Madison Gilfert] See the fact sheet on the schools in NJ. http://www.state.nj.us/njded/data/fact.htm From 2005-2006 data, if our gifted students represent 5 % of the student population listed here: public students K-12 total = 1,390,000 gifted = 69,500 private students k-12 total= 199,660 gifted = 9,983 NJ K-12 students (2005) 1,589,660 gifted = 79,483 In 2005-2006 NJ state education budget was $7,100,695,722. No money was allocated to support gifted students. No data is gathered on the number of staff and students specific to gifted education programs. Programs are being reduced or lost due to the current economy and focus on NCLB. This is unacceptable. The voices and needs of ~ 80,000 gifted students must be heard. Your help is needed now! If you are unable to present at a public testimony session, you may still submit your written comments on the topic to be considered by the State Board of Education. Written comments may be mailed to the following address: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it New Jersey Department of Education
State Board Office
P.O. Box 500
Trenton, NJ 08625-500 Please email a copy of your statement to
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Thank you for your help. Strength in numbers will make a difference for gifted students in New Jersey. Roberta Braverman, Advocacy Vice President,
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Donna Vaupel, President, president@njagc |
