For Immediate Release
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Grassley works to ensure gifted and talented students keep support
WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley has asked the U.S. Secretary of Education, Margaret Spellings, to revisit a departmental proposal that would direct designated funding for gifted and talented kids to other areas that are not part of the intended purpose of the Javits Act. The Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program is the only federal program dedicated to increasing educators’ knowledge about, and ability to meet the unique learning needs of gifted and talented students.
‘The United States can’t afford to continue leaving our gifted and talented kids behind. If we want to stay competitive in a global environment, its time to stop shortchanging our most promising young people,” Grassley said.
Grassley’s letter follows a Department of Education proposal that would give priority to grant applications to the Javits Program that propose using strategies designed for gifted and talented students to raise the achievement of non-gifted students. While such projects may have some merit, Grassley believes the small amount of funding Congress allocates to benefit gifted and talented children should be used for its intended purpose.
Here is a copy of Grassley’s letter to Spellings.
February 12, 2008
The Honorable Margaret Spellings
Secretary of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C.20202
Dear Secretary Spellings:
I would like to take this opportunity to provide some comments on the proposed priority for the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act published in the Federal Register on January 14, 2008. I continue to believe that adequate support for gifted and talented students, through programming and strategies designed to meet their learning needs, is absolutely essential if our country is to remain on the cutting edge of innovation and leadership in an increasingly competitive global environment. I do not feel that adequate attention is currently being paid to this area of vital national interest at the local, state, or federal level.
The only federal program currently dedicated to increasing our knowledge about, and ability to meet the unique learning needs of gifted and talented students is the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program. Unfortunately, despite the lip service paid to the importance of education and advanced learning to global competitiveness by many of us on the federal level, the Javits program has never received the funding support necessary to reach its full potential to focus nationwide attention to this critical population of students. In light of that fact, it is essential that the limited funds currently provided by Congress for the Javits Act be particularly targeted at projects that have the greatest potential benefit in terms of meeting the educational needs of gifted and talented students.
According to 20USC Sec. 7253, the purpose of the Javits Act is, “to initiate a coordinated program of scientifically based research, demonstration projects, innovative strategies, and similar activities designed to build and enhance the ability of elementary schools and secondary schools nationwide to meet the special educational needs of gifted and talented students.” In addition, federal law states, “The term ‘gifted and talented’, when used with respect to students, children, or youth, means students, children, or youth who give evidence of high achievement capability in areas such as intellectual, creative, artistic, or leadership capacity, or in specific academic fields, and who need services or activities not ordinarily provided by the school in order to fully develop those capabilities” (20USC Sec. 7801(22).)
Regarding the proposed priority, I certainly agree with the need to “scale up” programs that have demonstrated effectiveness for gifted and talented students in one setting and apply them more broadly to benefit more gifted and talented students. However, any priority for grants under the Javits Act must be consistent with the purpose of the Act. That is to say, grants issued under the Javits Act must be primarily focused on meeting the special educational needs of gifted and talented students.
Gifted and talented students are not merely students that achieve at an advanced level. They have different ways of learning. They learn at a much faster pace, and to a greater depth, than other students. In recognition of these differences, Congress enacted the Javits Act to provide grant funds intended to advance our knowledge of the special services and activities that are necessary to address those learning differences.
The Javits Act does contemplate the use of funds under the Act for using gifted and talented programs and methods to serve all students in the context of research projects primarily focused on identifying and teaching gifted and talented students. The Act also allows for technical assistance and dissemination efforts regarding strategies for gifted and talented students to include, in cases where appropriate, how those strategies may be adapted for all students. However, the Javits Act does not authorize funds to be used for any efforts other than those aimed primarily at students who are gifted and talented. Therefore, any priority for grants under the Javits Act should make clear that projects funded under the Act must be focused primarily on meeting the special educational needs of gifted and talented students.
Thank you for your consideration of my comments. I look forward to your detailed response to my concerns and to working with you to continue and expand federal efforts to fully develop the potential of all gifted and talented students.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Grassley
United States Senator