The following announcements appear in reverse chronological order

SENATE INTERIM CHARGES INCLUDE REVIEW OF IMPACT OF G/T ALLOTMENT REPEAL

Source: https://www.txgifted.org/blog_home.asp?display=54

This week, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick released 116 Senate Committee charges to study in the interim before the 2021 legislative session, including one to review the impact of HB3 on G/T programs in Texas. This week, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick released 116 Senate Committee charges to study in the interim before the 2021 legislative session. Among these charges is to monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Education passed by the 86th Legislature. The monitoring charge, spearheaded by Senator Jane Nelson, directs the committee to “Review the impact of the repeal of a Gifted and Talented allotment on programs in districts and charter schools; Highlight various innovative Gifted and Talented programs in districts and charter schools across the state, and make recommendations on methods to strengthen and promote Gifted and Talented programs throughout Texas” (see p. 4).

TAGT appreciates the efforts of Senator Nelson, a strong G/T advocate, and is thrilled that G/T programs and funding will continue to be highlighted as an area of focus for the Senate Committee on Education.

Click to read the full set of charges

TAGT BOARD CREATES HB3/STATE PLAN TASK FORCE – August 9, 2019

Source https://www.txgifted.org/blog_home.asp?display=53

TAGT SUBMITS HB3 INQUIRY TO TEA – July 20, 2019

Source https://www.txgifted.org/blog_home.asp?display=52

HB3 SUMMARY AND UPDATE – May 30, 2019

Source https://www.txgifted.org/blog_home.asp?display=50

The Texas Legislature finally finished its work on House Bill 3, the school finance and property tax reform bill that increases public education funding by $4.5 billion and earmarks more than $5 billion for school property tax compression.

Although we are disappointed that designated funding for G/T services has been repealed, we are so proud of TAGT and our members’ advocacy efforts. Through your constant emails, Twitter advocacy, and hours sitting together at the Capitol, the changes that we were able to make in the final bill highlight the importance of serving our unique G/T students. In the new law, districts are required to continue G/T services and G/T requirements and certifications have been strengthened, in addition to the significant additional investment from the state to our schools. 

FINAL HB3 RELEASED; REPEALS G/T ALLOTMENT, INCLUDES G/T AMENDMENTS & INCREASES BASIC ALLOTMENT

Since early May, House Bill 3 has been in Conference Committee, made up of Senate and House delegates, working to negotiate differences in their versions of HB 3. Last night, the committee released the final version of the 300+ page bill. 

April 26, 2019: SAGE kids speak at the State Capitol on behalf of Texas’ gifted kids

In front of the Texas Senate Education Committee at the Capitol in Austin, two of SAGE’s gifted students spoke about the importance of gifted education.

April 2, 2019: G/T-supportive amendments filed!

Five amendments related to gifted and talented programs were filed to House Bill 3 (public education funding). Please help us APPLAUD the following Texas State Representatives who stepped up in support of Texas’ gifted students!

Next steps are to contact our own State Representatives to ask them to consider co-authoring these amendments and ask for their vote on the house floor on all of these amendments. Find your Texas House of Representatives contact here.

March 20-April 1, 2019: Ask your State Representative to file a floor amendment to restore the GT allotment.

House Bill 3 will be on the House floor for vote on April 3. There is still time to save the allotment. We must ask a state representative to consider filing a floor amendment to restore the allotment!

The House Public Education Committee presented and voted out the amended House Bill 3, which still includes the repeal of the G/T allotment (42.156). This bill is a top priority for Speaker Bonnen. House Bill 3 will be on the House floor for vote on April 3.

There is still time to impact this bill. Please call your State Representative (again) with this message. “Please restore TEC 42.156, the designated funding for G/T students.”

(Need tips about what you could say? Scroll down this page to March 18.)

There is no minimum, guaranteed funding for G/T students in the current version of HB 3. This student population is a high risk for being overlooked and underserved without specific funding. Make HB3 work for ALL students. Tell them how your student is impacted by this bill.

Remember, the more we can continue to engage in a positive discussion between the Legislature and our community, the bigger the impact we can make.

From TAGT: Read More about HB3, including FAQs.

Reflections:

The authors of the bill state that their budget is big enough so that districts will have extra money to spend on GT and other expenses. However, in reality, Texas public schools will still be stretched — and Gifted Learners would be completely dependent on local school districts to budget for a gifted program (aka an unfunded mandate). Without State-level protection, different learners are vulnerable to district budget cuts.

For the past 10 years, with your support, GC-SAGE has advocated for your gifted students. We are thankful for our wonderful and very, very, supportive district, GCISD! Not all districts are as supportive, and not all parents are as savvy or have the time to advocate for their kids. As the TAGT State Parent Group of the Year, we proudly advocate for gifted students in our neighborhood and in every corner of our state.

Allotments are so important for learners who could slip through the cracks. Gifted learners are sometimes un-identified because of language or other learning difference. As an organization, we are greatly supportive and thankful that efforts are being made by the House of Representatives to truly fund public education; they are attempting to make some good strides to support different learners. We all have family and neighbors with special needs, dyslexia, and who are learning English — so we support allotments that fund and protect ALL of the above groups! But, as a gifted advocacy group, we are wondering why, when we ask for an allotment for similar protection of Gifted Learners — we are told “don’t worry, the funding for GT will be found in the main budget.” It is not logical.

March 19, 2019: House Bill 3 passes without GT allotment

Stay tuned —it’s not over! The House Public Education Committee presented and voted out the amended House Bill 3. While the bill puts in $6 billion into public education and sets aside $3 billion for property tax relief, the legislation still includes the repeal of the G/T allotment (TEC 42.156).

March 18: Have 5 minutes?? Write your legislators (again) — TODAY!!!

The House Public Education Committee will meet Tuesday, March 19, in Austin regarding the revised House Bill 3. There will not be an opportunity for additional public testimony and the revised bill may not be made available before the meeting.

“To whom do I write?”

Here are important email addresses:

GCISD-area Texas House of Representatives: giovanni.capriglione@house. texas.gov, Jonathan.Stickland@house. texas.gov

Texas House Public Education Committee: dan.huberty@house. texas.gov, diego.bernal@house.texas.gov, alma.allen@house.texas.gov, steve.allison@house.texas.gov, trent.ashby@house.texas.gov, keith.bell@house.texas.gov, harold.dutton@house.texas.gov, mary.gonzalez@house.texas.gov, ken.king@house.texas.gov, morgan.meyer@house.texas.gov, james.talarico@house.texas.gov , gary.vandeaver@house.texas.gov

“What could I say?”

Here are some key points you could make:​​​​​

  • G/T education needs its own weight–specific, designated funding.
  • We respect local control and recognize that there is already abundant local control in the Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students, the SBOE-approved rules for serving G/T learners.
  • In many districts, gifted students will be left unidentified, “at-risk,” and vulnerable. TELL YOUR/YOUR STUDENT’S STORY.
  • Being “gifted and talented” is not a badge of honor or reward for good grades. Giftedness is an identified, educational need.
  • If your child is twice-exceptional, describe the services your child requires.
  • If you have lived in another state or school district, describe your observations.
  • Need ideas? Click here for a sample letter to personalize.
  • Tip: Find out who represents you

“In a nutshell — what is going on?”

Historically, when financial times are tough, gifted services are among the first things any district may consider eliminating. However, for many years, GT has been protected by an “allotment,” or line item, in the state education budget.

On March 5, 2019, House Bill 3 was filed by the House Public Education Committee — and it eliminates the GT allotment. See TEC Section 42.156 of House Bill 3, Article 3, Section 3.001 (p. 184 of PDF). The TAGT team has prepared FAQs about House Bill 3 and the importance of specifically funding G/T education in Texas.

We recognize the leadership of Representative Dan Huberty and State Representatives who have worked on House Bill 3, increasing funding for our public schools. In many ways, House Bill 3 appears to be a positive step forward for public education. However, the repeal of the G/T allotment may further deemphasize the importance of G/T education in Texas. SAGE asks Texas legislators to remove the G/T allotment (Section 42.156) from the sections being repealed from HB3. This allows for the G/T allotment to continue to support G/T students in Texas.

Thank you very much for your continued advocacy for gifted students in Texas. You can contact SAGE at info.gcsage@gmail.com if you have questions or would like to get more involved.

Click to view list of Grapevine/Colleyville-area elected officials.

March 14: Keep up the emails

Contact your legislators today!!!!!

Here is a sample letter to personalize.

Key points to make:

  • explain the ways GT specialized instruction and trained teachers are important to your child!
  • Gifted and talented is a special need — requiring staffing, training, and fundamentally different instruction at the classroom level
  • Removing GT from the legislation creates an unfunded mandate
  • This is a step backward for education in Texas. For student outcomes, equity, and economic growth, gifted education should be a priority.
  • If your child is twice-exceptional, describe the services your child requires.
  • If you have lived in another state or school district, describe your observations.

March 12: Capitol testimony is today

Click for Livestream. It’s not too late to contact your elected officials. Scroll down this page for the easy how-to.

March 11: SAGE co-signed editorial in Dallas Morning News: “As the Texas Legislature reforms school finance, don’t forget gifted and talented students”

March 11: Capitol testimony is tomorrow

Are you an adult who thrived because of gifted ed? Write your Legislators TODAY to ask to #FundGT for the next generation of Texas’ BIG thinkers & innovators.

The easy way contact your Legislators is below in the March 7 Call To Action. Thank you!

Also: SAGE co-signed an opinion column in the Dallas Morning News today!

March 8: “Gifted Education Receives the Death Sentence in Texas”

Read on Medium: Why would the Texas Legislature knowingly choose to defund the education of the brightest children?

March 7, 2019: Call to Action: Write your legislators

The Texas Legislature submitted a bill to eliminate GT funding.

SAGE is working on finding out how this will overall affect GCISD funding, and specifically affect GT in GCSID.

Have 5 Minutes? We urgently need you to contact your legislators. 

Here is their contact info.

Here is a sample letter to personalize.

Key points to make:

  • Personal reasons why GT is important to your family!
  • Gifted and talented is a special need — requiring staffing, training, and fundamentally different instruction at the classroom level
  • Removing GT from the legislation creates an unfunded mandate
  • This is a step backward for education in Texas. For student outcomes, equity, and economic growth, gifted education should be a priority.
  • If your child is twice-exceptional, describe the services your child requires.
  • If you have lived in another state or school district, describe your observations.

Did you know: Citizens can testify at the State Capitol on Tuesday! See below.

More Details:

On March 5, House Bill 3 was filed by the House Public Education Committee. The G/T allotment (TEC Section 42.156) is repealed in House Bill 3, Article 3, Section 3.001 (p. 184 of PDF). 

Check out the TAGT Quick Start Guide for Texas House Bill 3, 2019.

SAGE and TAGT recognize the leadership of Representative Dan Huberty and State Representatives who have worked on House Bill 3, increasing funding for our public schools. In many ways, House Bill 3 appears to be a positive step forward for public education. However, we remain concerned that a repeal of the G/T allotment may further deemphasize the importance of G/T education throughout Texas.  

SAGE and TAGT ask our Texas legislators to remove the G/T allotment (Section 42.156) from the sections being repealed from HB3. This allows for the G/T allotment to continue to support G/T students in Texas.

Testify as a Texas Citizen!

Public testimony on HB3 will occur Tuesday, March 12, in Austin. Schedule for testimony is not available yet. If you would like to take part in this public testimony, contact TAGT by Monday, March 11 at 12 p.m., so we can provide you with more information and guidance. If you are a SAGE member planning to testify, please let SAGE know at info.gcsage@gmail.com.

Even More Background Information

From the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented

From SAGE:

Who are my elected officials?

Read real stories about real gifted kids from the GCISD area — then submit your own story (scroll down this page).

Why is the GT allotment important?

From Texas PTA:

Texas PTA’s Legislative Position supports continued state funding for gifted and talented

Share your #WhyGT story

Are you a gifted student, parent, or teacher? We’re asking you to go public with your gifted story. We are posting real stories about real gifted kids.

And we need your “Why GT” story.

Our State Legislators are poised to eliminate funds in the state education budget for GT.

SAGE is leading an effort to share real stories from gifted students and parents to show the necessity of funding gifted education.

Where will the stories be shared?

If you submit your story and/or photo, you are giving GC-SAGE permission to share on our public media channels (like here, on our web site and our social media) and with the Texas Association for Gifted and Talented, which may share it on their public media channels.

What should I write?

Please just tell us your own story in your own words. Or ask your child to write something. Below are some prompts, if you don’t know where to start. You can write your response, or feel free to use video, photos, or artwork.

  • For Students:
    • What does being gifted mean to you?
    • Do you always feel challenged at school? What are some ways your teachers give you extra challenges?
    • What is advice you would give to a friend who is thinking about joining GT LEAD or ASPIRE?
    • Did you used to attend a private school, and now attend public school? What is the difference?
    • What do you wish people knew about you?
  • For Parents & Teachers:
    • Why have you chosen public school?
    • How do your students thrive because of gifted services in public school?
    • How do gifted students rely on your teachers?
    • What are your gifted students like?
    • What thrills you about raising/teaching gifted children?
    • What challenges do you face when raising/teaching gifted children?
    • Have you moved to a school district specifically for the gifted services/to teach gifted?
    • How have you financially sacrificed for your gifted students?
    • What were some of the first ways you realized your child was different?
    • Tell us about your experiences with asynchronous development, perfectionism, over-excitabilities, gifted intensities, fitting in in a traditional classroom or social setting?
    • Tell about a teacher who “gets” your gifted student. Or about a teacher who doesn’t get it.
    • How has your gifted child changed you as a parent/teacher?
    • Besides giftedness, do your students have other learning challenges?
    • How do mental health issues affect your gifted students?
    • If you have a grown gifted child, reflect on their school years. How are they doing now?
    • If you are a grown gifted person, give us your perspective.
    • Were you a gifted student in Texas in 1984? That’s the year the GT allotment was created to financially support districts in offsetting the costs associated with G/T programs. What’s your perspective?
    • How is your family or your school different because of giftedness?

Ready? Submit your comments now:

Use the form below (or open up a blank email) … and start typing! 

Ready to submit? Make sure you click the blue SUBMIT button in the box above. Or — Email your personal gifted story today to info.gcsage@gmail.com.

Attribution: Please type your name and city at the bottom of your emailed statement. * If you wish to remain anonymous, please type Anonymous.