KAGE is very active in supporting legislation for the gifted and talented. Since 1980, KAGE has worked closely with members of the Kentucky General Assembly to secure appropriate educational opportunities for gifted students. In addition, KAGE members are advocates for Kentucky’s gifted children, communicating with decision-makers: in Kentucky at local school councils, school districts, the Governor’s Office, and the Kentucky Department of Education, and with other groups who care about education. At the national level, KAGE advocates with Kentucky’s Senators and Representatives for federal legislation for gifted children. Decision-makers must know that gifted children constitute a special needs group along with other categories of exceptional children and that gifted children also need to make continuous progress in school.
LEGISLATIVE NEWS
May 25, 2011 – New Legislation Introduced that Supports Gifted Students: TALENT Act, introduced in the House and Senate, is first legislation to make comprehensive changes to federal K-12 education policy in support of high-ability students. Click here to download a pdf of a press release from NAGC and click here for more information on the NAGC website about the legislation. Ask your Senators to sign on to the TALENT Act! See below for contact information.
GIFTED EDUCATION WEEK Proclamation Signing, February 15, 2012, Join the Kentucky Association for Gifted Education at noon in the Capitol Rotunda when February 19 – 25, 2012 is proclaimed Gifted Education Week in Kentucky. Take advantage of being in Frankfort by arranging for students to watch state government in action. This is appropriate for all gifted students but especially students identified with leadership ability.
GIFTED EDUCATION WEEK IN KENTUCKY is February 19-25, 2012, but NOW is always a good time to open positive dialogues with key decision makers, parents, local officials, and community members. For a list of activities YOU can do in your community to increase awareness of gifted education, contact the KAGE office.
LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
Click here to learn how you can contact your legislators.
Kentucky’s commitment to funding gifted education has remained stagnant or decreased since the inception of KERA in 1990. Yet, the scope of identification and services has widened as has the cost of providing those services. The current allocation is not sufficient to meet the needs outlined below. An increase in funding for Gifted and Talented Education.is greatly needed.
Increased funding is crucial for:
1. Ongoing professional development for teachers;
2. Comprehensive identification of gifted students; and
3. Appropriate services for gifted students.
Click here for the KY White Paper on Gifted and Talented Education, KENTUCKY’S FUTURE: MINING UNTAPPED TREASURE, CHILDREN AND YOUTH OF THE COMMONWEALTH WHO ARE GIFTED AND TALENTED, for a fuller discussion of the need for increased funding for gifted education.