Advocating for Hi-Cap Students continued from page 5

grades in order to fulfill both their own and the nation's needs. Gifted education is an essential component of this effort.

What's the status on Javits Grants?  Could you explain why they are important?
The Javits program was established in 1988 and funds both research and grants to states. The $11 million program has been zeroed out in the President's budget proposal for each of the last five years, but has so far been restored each year by Congress. Thousands of students have benefited from the  program, and it is only the thousands of calls and letters to legislators that guarantees renewal of this vital legislation each year. Washington students benefit from Javits in many ways. The Javits-funded National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented provides the research on which Highly Capable programs in Washington are based. Educators rely on NRC/GT to inform of their work with bright students, especially those in underserved populations (minority, poverty, rural). The Sunnyside School District received a Javits Grant providing $786,891 over three years for its Bilingual Project. This project is statewide in scope, and involves OSPI, the UW Robinson Center for Young Scholars, Heritage College in Toppenish, the Grandview School District, and the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory.

How accessible did you find our legislators?  How knowledgeable are they about our gifted students' needs?
Legislators themselves are often busy in committee meetings and on the floor, but make themselves available whenever possible to speak with constituents. I met personally with Senator Murray and Congressman Baird on this trip, but had fruitful discussions with the Education Legislative Assistants in all eleven offices. They were all quite well informed, and several of them had participated in gifted education programs themselves and needed no convincing. We were asking this year for three things: restoration of Javits funding for FY 2007, passage of the Higher Education Act (which now includes language for training teachers in gifted education), and support of the STEM initiative.

What can parents do to make sure legislators include gifted education in their agendas?
Call and write to your Senators and Congressmen (and Congresswomen!) when they are in D.C.; speak with them when they are back here in the state. Invite them to visit classrooms in which highly capable students are excelling. The most compelling aspect of my presentation in every office was what I brought from Washington students -- personal letters telling of their experiences both triumphant and tragic, and a student-produced music CD delivered to each legislator. When children speak, legislators listen. Messages should be brief, clear, personal, and frequent. There is a German expression "einmal ist keinmal" -- one time is no time. You have to follow up, remind them, thank them, let them know you are watch

ing and appreciate their efforts on behalf of high potential students. I always introduce myself as one who speaks on behalf of "gifted and other exceptional children" who require specialized assistance, because gifted education is an intervention, not a privilege.

Is there a champion for gifted on the scene anywhere right now?  Parents have relatives in other states so they could encourage grandparents who live elsewhere to meet with a legislator too.
I think we can cultivate champions. Senator Cantwell has concentrated on higher education, but is interested in broadening her focus. She is preparing an article for WAETAG which may develop into a policy statement. Senator Murray sits on both the Senate Labor/HHS/Education Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee, and is sympathetic to parent and student concerns. Congressman Baird is a former professor and father of one-year-old twins who is already thinking about tuition issues. Congressman McDermott is the first to sign the letter to reauthorize Javits every year, and this year Congressmen Larsen, Inslee, Baird, Smith, and Dicks signed as well. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley and California Congressman Elton Gallegley have been champions, circulating the "Dear Colleague" letters every year calling for the reauthorization of Javits.
 
Anything else you learned through your advocacy?
I have learned to make reasonable requests which legislators can reasonably support. A request for new gifted education legislation with a billion dollar price tag is unlikely to gain sponsors, but maintenance of proven programs such as Javits, insertion of gifted-friendly language in existing legislation, and support for American STEM scholars are certainly reasonable expectations. Our legislators must be reminded that constituents care about these issues and appreciate lawmakers who effectively represent their concerns.
  
My advocacy work has taught me the value of "friend raising" as well as fund raising. I ask leaders simply to mention highly capable students in their speeches to all audiences. When they speak about education, leaders are beginning to include phrases such as "opportunities for children who already meet and exceed the standards," "acceleration options for advanced learners," "including our most highly capable students," and other language which recognizes that schools must educate all students. Once we have raised friends, we can raise funds.