Gifted Education Advocates,
We must convince legislators to increase funding for Highly Capable Education, and need your immediate action. Thank you in advance for your advocacy.
Please do the following TODAY or TOMORROW. Please have students leave messages as well!
1. If you do not already know, find your legislators here http://app.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/
2. Call the Toll-Free Legislative Hotline, 8AM to 8PM at 1-800-562-6000 and leave this message for your State Representatives:
“I want you to tell Representative Hunter that it is time for Washington State to ensure equity for all students. I want you to increase Highly Capable Education funding to 5%, the level recommended by the Quality Education Council.”
3. Call the Toll-Free Legislative Hotline, 8AM to 8PM at 1-800-562-6000 and leave this message for your State Senator:
“I want you to tell Senators Tom and Hill that it is time for Washington State to ensure equity for all students. I want you to increase Highly Capable Education funding to 5%, the level recommended by the Quality Education Council.”
4. Follow up with short emails to your State Representatives and Senator. Email addresses use this format: Firstname.Lastname@leg.wa.gov or find them at https://dlr.leg.wa.gov/MemberEmail/Default.aspx
5. Send additional emails to Ross.Hunter@leg.wa.gov, Rodney.Tom@leg.wa.gov, and Andy.Hill@leg.wa.gov
You may wish to provide them with more information in your email. Feel free to add your personal experience, or use the information below.
With 5% funding the state’s Highly Capable Programs plan will:
- Ensure equity for all students by supporting early identification, a continuum of services K-12, along with appropriate professional development.
- Provide equitable screening that eliminates bias
- Establish a deliberate, systematic effort to look at traditionally underserved populations.
- Widen opportunity for young children (K-3) who show potential in comparison to their classmates, and to develop that potential to see where it may lead.
- Provide programming appropriate to the student’s strength.
We are counting on you to take action immediately. There are tens of thousands of Highly Capable children in Washington state who need your help!