AAGT - Legislative Update!

A Message from AAGT's Advocacy Committee

A Step By Step Guide to making your voice heard 

Help us cross the finish line! 

We are nearing the end of the legislative session! The good news is that we have gotten further than we ever have before in the fight to restore funding for gifted programs. Both of our bills passed (nearly unanimously) in every committee, and both were amended on the floor to increase the proposed funding to $2.9 million in the first year and $3.4 million in subsequent years. This is good news! 

The bad news is that, like all bills that include expenditures, these bills will not reach the Governor for signature. Instead, these bills will have to become part of the budget process and WE NEED YOUR HELP. As legislators are negotiating, we need gifted education to be on their minds. Will you help us keep gifted programs on their legislative radar?

It is simple and takes less than two minutes. 

STEP ONE: Paste the following list of Senators and Representatives into your bcc: box. 

lalston@azleg.gov

rbowers@azleg.gov

mcardenas@azleg.gov

hcarter@azleg.gov 

kclark@azleg.gov

rcobb@azleg.gov

cfernandez@azleg.gov

rfriese@azleg.gov

vleach@azleg.gov

dlivingston@azleg.gov

jnorgaard@azleg.gov

trivero@azleg.gov

mugenti-rita@azleg.gov

sallen@azleg.gov

sborrelli@azleg.gov

ocajerobedford@azleg.gov

kfann@azleg.gov

sfarley@azleg.gov

khobbs@azleg.gov

jkavanagh@azleg.gov

wpetersen@azleg.gov

mquezada@azleg.gov

stsmith@azleg.gov

STEP TWO: Come up with a subject line that mentions “Gifted.” You need not include the bill numbers. I like :“Make this the year for Gifted Education.”

STEP THREE: Write a quick note about why gifted education matters. Even a short personal note makes more of an impact than a form letter. 

That being said, here is what I am sending: “Thank you for your leadership this year to restore funding for gifted education. 89,000 gifted students and their families are counting on you. As the parent of three gifted kids, I can tell you that the programs, identification, and teacher training have suffered since the funding was eliminated in 2009. These high potential students need our support and I hope that you will support restored funding for gifted education in the budget.”

STEP FOUR: Hit send and feel a sense of satisfaction of having your voice heard. 

Bonus Points: Do you know who really needs hear about gifted education? The Governor’s Office. Year after year, restoration of gifted funding has not been included in the Governor’s Executive Budget (his list of budget priorities). A short note to the Governor would go a long way. The office contact information is here.

Thanks for all you do for gifted education! 

Your AAGT Advocacy Committee

Awake the Sleeping Giant, part 3

Part 3 of 3

This is the conclusion to our 2017 November-December legislative effort.

By following these templates and sending your emails to your legislators, you have begun to build a credible relationship with your senator and representatives.  Your actions are crucial to our group effort to draw attention to the new bills that will be introduced in January to reinstate gifted education funding.

Stay tuned for additional templates that will be posted here once the legislative session starts in January.  TOGETHER we can make a difference.  We hope 2018 is the year when gifted education in Arizona will receive state funding.

OUR GOAL

Contact your legislatitors at least three times before the December holidays and encourage them to restore funding for Gifted Education.  Below you will find template #3.  Click here to find the contact information for your representative.  Send this email by Friday, December 15th. 

If you missed any part of this series, click below for templates and send your email(s) ASAP, before the end of December.

• Part 1 of 3
• Part 2 of 3

Parent Preparation & Learning

The National Association for Gifted Children has a brief collection of myths which include rebuttals based on simple facts.  What myths have you encountered?  Click here to peruse the common myths that surround gifted education.  

Template 3 of 3  

Subject line:  Let your email subject line contain "support" and "gifted education" in a manner of your choosing.

Greeting:  Dear Senator/Representative ________________  (Send three separate emails, one to your senator and one each to your two representatives.)

First paragraph:  After you have familiarized yourself with the common myths that surround gifted education, choose one that you identify with.  In your first paragraph share the myth and your brief personal encounter with it.  Example ...

I am the parent of a gifted child. A few years ago I had a principal get offended when I tried to explain giftedness to her.  "Every child is gifted," the principal said and would not allow us to discuss it further.  I was not angry, only deeply frustrated and disappointed.  Her response is actually typical for those who don't understand giftedness.  Yet, how will principals know how to hire qualified teachers for their gifted students if they themselves don't understand giftedness?  Since that conversation I have learned more about explaining giftedness and wish I could go back in time and visit with this principal again. 

Second paragraph:  Let this include the rebuttal of the myth you chose.  State that by funding gifted education, schools and districts can educate their communities about the truths of gifted education and gifted children can receive the services that address their learning differences.  

I would explain my deep belief that ALL children have gifts and talents whether or not they receive gifted education services just like ALL children are special, whether or not they receive special education services.  Here in Arizona the term "gifted" is to "gifted education" as "special" is to "special education."  It is a legislative and diagnostic term to describe learning differences caused by neuro-diversity.  Both special education (A.R.S. 15-764) and gifted education (A.R.S. 15-799) are mandated by state law; however, gifted education has been unfunded in Arizona since 2009.  If gifted education were funded, more principals and teachers could be trained in supports for the learning differences and growth of gifted students. 

Conclusion:  State that supporting gifted education is an investment and thank them for their support and service.

I'm writing to ask for your support to reinstate gifted education funding.  Gifted children learn differently and by supporting their learning differences you are investing in Arizona's intellectual capital.  Thank you for your time and efforts on behalf of our community.

Sincerely,

Your name

Active Voter in Legislative District # ___

Awake the Sleeping Giant, part 2

Part 2 of 3

This is part two of our 2017 November-December legislative effort.

If we want our emails to stand out during the legislative session, then we need to contact our legislators now, in the "off-season" so they will be familiar and recognize us and our efforts once the legislative session begins in January.

OUR GOAL

Contact your legislative representatives at least three times before the December holidays and encourage them to restore funding for Gifted Education.  Below you will find template #2.  Click here to find the contact information for your representative.  Send this email by Thursday, December 7th. 

If you missed the first in this series, click here for the blog link and send your email ASAP.

Template 2 of 3  

Subject line:  Let your email subject line contain "funding" and "gifted education" in a manner of your choosing.

Greeting:  Dear Senator/Representative ________________  (Send three separate emails, one to your senator and one each to your two representatives.)

First paragraph:  Let this contain a brief personal experience regarding the strengths and struggles of your gifted child.  You may wish to incorporate material from our Strengths and Challenges worksheet.  Example ...

I am the parent of a gifted child, age 10.  My daughter is able to work a year ahead in math and is an avid reader, reading four grade levels ahead.  She acquires and retains information easily with little repetition.  A challenge she has is patience while waiting for classmates to learn the same material.  She detests multiple repetitions of material she already knows.  In such a classroom climate her desire for learning actually wanes.  She needs teachers who understand her need to accelerate so that she can experience growth while in the classroom and develop into a lifelong learner.

Second paragraph:  Let this include your reason why gifted education needs funding, namely so that districts can train teachers in gifted education. 

I am grateful that the state of Arizona mandates gifted education (A.R.S. 15-799), even though gifted education has not been funded in Arizona since 2009.  If gifted education were funded, more teachers could be trained in multiple accelerations strategies to support the learning differences and growth of gifted students. I'm writing to ask for your support to reinstate gifted education funding.  This would allow districts to offer continual instructional support to teachers of the gifted.

Conclusion:  State that supporting gifted education is an investment and thank them for their support and service.

Gifted children learn differently and by supporting their learning differences you are investing in Arizona's intellectual capital.  I hope I can count on your support to reinstate gifted education funding.  Thank you for your service to our community.

Sincerely,

Your name

Active Voter in Legislative District # ___

Awake the Sleeping Giant

Part 1 of 3

by Stephanie Newitt, Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted

It is November and during this time of reflection and Thanksgiving I am thankful for the Arizona Association for Gifted & Talented (AAGT).  They have tirelessly worked to bring the need of gifted education funding to the attention of members of the Arizona legislature.  In the 2017 effort, our bill made it all the way through the Arizona House!  However, it was stalled in the Arizona Senate, not progressing beyond the Appropriations Committee.

AAGT is gearing up for the 2018 legislative session which begins in January.  We have learned that once the session starts, members of the legislature are inundated with 200+ emails daily!  If we want our emails to stand out during the legislative session, then we need to contact our legislators now, in the "off-season" so they will be familiar and recognize us and our efforts.

OUR GOAL

Contact your legislative representatives at least three times before the December holidays and encourage them to restore funding for Gifted Education.  We will provide templates for you.  Click here to find the contact information for your representative.  The first template is below.  Send this email prior to Thanksgiving.

Template 1 of 3

Subject line:  Let your email subject line contain "constituent" and "gifted education" in a manner of your choosing.

Greeting:  Dear Senator/Representative ________________  (Send three separate emails, one to your senator and one each to your two representatives.)

First paragraph:  Let this contain a statement that gifted education is needed and a brief personal experience.  Example ...

I am grateful that the state of Arizona mandates gifted education (A.R.S. 15-799), even though gifted education has not been funded in Arizona since 2009.  My 12 year old son is not in sync with his 12 year old peers as he is able to work two years ahead in math.  

Second paragraph:  Let this include your reason why gifted education needs funding. 

Giftedness affects the social and emotional development of gifted children as well.  Just because my son can do the math of a 9th grader doesn't mean he is socially and emotionally capable to socialize with them regularly.  I'm writing to ask for your support to reinstate gifted education funding.  This would allow districts to hire and train more teachers with gifted education certification, including training them to provide social/emotional supports for gifted students.  

Conclusion:  State that supporting gifted education is an investment and thank them for their support and service.

By supporting the learning differences of gifted children you are investing in the state’s intellectual capital.  I thank you for your support of this issue and for your service to our community.

Sincerely,

Your name

Active Voter in Legislative District # ___

Click here to go to our State Advocacy page on the GSG website where you will find more information to support you in your efforts.

AAGT 2017 Legislative Advocacy Summary

AAGT Advocacy Summary

May 8, 2017

Currently there are 89,000 students in Arizona identified as gifted from all demographics, cultures and corners of the state.  Since funding was suspended in 2009, there have been inconsistencies in identification and in the ability of districts and schools to provide curriculum and instruction at a level commensurate with gifted students needs.

Advocacy during the 2017 Legislative Session

Restoration of Funds

We are pleased with the positive response from both Senators and Representatives who have listened, asked questions, and become champions of the importance of gifted education for our students and the future of our state.

Through the leadership of Representative Heather Carter, HB2199 passed through the House Education Committee with a unanimous vote in favor, and passed through the House Appropriations Committee and the House Committee of the Whole with near unanimity overwhelmingly in favor of restoring gifted education funds.

In the Senate, Senator Kate Brophy-McGee introduced mirror bill, SB1105.  With the additional leadership of Senator Sylvia Allen, the Senate Education Committee unanimously voted in favor of restoring funds for gifted education.  SB1105 did not go on to be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee.  And likewise, once HB2199 went on to the Senate, it was not heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee, in spite of its overwhelming support.

Members of the House and Senate then worked to add the restoration of funds for gifted education to the budget.  

Representative Carter changed the funding proposal to $500,000 from the original $3.5 million during the budget process.  It was agreed that this was a much more realistic ask at this point in the negotiations.  Even so, Gifted Education did not end up in the budget this year.

We appreciate the valiant effort on the part of Representative Carter and Senator Kate Brophy-McGee.  Please send them a thank you!  hcarter@azleg.gov   kbrophymcgee@azleg.gov

The GOOD NEWS is we have not lost any ground.  In fact, we have gained.

• We have reached out to key legislators with a more vibrant message and introduced gifted education to new members of the House and Senate  
• Representative Carter has been and is still working behind the scenes to get support
• It has been reported to us that members of the Legislature are indeed talking about gifted education.  We have laid a good foundation to build on!

What are our advocacy efforts going forward?  If there is anything we have learned, it is that we need to be patient.  There are hundreds of issues in our state worthy of investment.  The key is to educate all legislators, the Governor, and business and organizational stakeholders that gifted education funding isn’t limited to helping just our gifted students; it is an investment in the intellectual capital of the state.  How many of those other worthy causes could benefit from such an investment?

• Representative Carter is committed to introducing another bill in the fall to build awareness and support.

• It is important to continue contacting Legislators and tell the story.  Personal compelling stories are important to help Legislators understand and get on board.  Summer is a great time to make a visit to the Senator and Representatives in your Legislative District.  Take your gifted student and help your Legislators put a face to the issue!

In speaking with Representative Carter, she shared that constituents who advocate for gifted education with their Legislative District’s Senator and Representatives magnify the volume of her voice in the Legislature.  

*******

To find your Legislative District and the names of the Senator and Representatives who represent you, follow this link: http://azredistricting.org/districtlocator/

Here is a sample communiqué:

Dear Senator or Representative  _________________,

I am aware that you passed a budget this year without the inclusion of funding for gifted education.  

I will continue to work with you to ensure funding is restored for gifted education.

This is important to me because _______________________

Sincerely,

Your name

The city in which you live

*******

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments!

I hope to meet many of you at the AAGT Parent Institute on September 23, 2017.

Thank you so much for your support!  Together we can make this happen!

Donna J. Campbell, M.Ed.

Advocacy Chair, Arizona Association for Gifted and Talented

dcampbell@azgifted.com

ACTION NEEDED! Support HB 2356 by February 17th!

Your chance to help make a difference

Per our by-laws, we are informing you, members/subscribers of Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted, of pending Arizona legislation that can positively impact gifted education in our state.

HB 2356 has been approved by the House Education Committee and it now moves to the Appropriations Committee.

What is HB 2356?   

A House Bill proposed by Rep. Heather Carter to move gifted funding from Group A to Group B.  This will allow the funds to be targeted to support gifted students.  In Group A they are not.  Click here for more information on HB 2356. 

What can you do?  

Send an email to your Representative by February 17th by following these easy steps:

STEP 1:  Click here to determine your legislative district and find your Representative.

STEP 2:  On the House roster (the 2^nd roster listed), click on “send email” for your representative.

STEP 3:  Complete the fields provided with your contact information.

STEP 4:  Complete the subject line with “Constituent of LD#(INSERT YOUR NUMBER).  HB 2356: Gifted Education Group B Weight” ... Legislators receive hundreds of emails, yet they are more likely to prioritize those from their own constituents.

STEP 5:  Cut and paste the letter below, adding your personal information and story as indicated …

Dear Rep. (INSERT NAME OF YOUR REP),

My name is (INSERT YOUR NAME), and I am a constituent of LD#(INSERT #).  I wish to encourage you to vote yes on HB 2356: Gifted Education Group B Weight.  I am a parent of a gifted child and a member of (INSERT ORGANIZATION, i.e.: the Gilbert Gifted Education Parent Council, Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted, Arizona Association for Gifted & Talented, ETC.)  Gifted Education is a state mandate, yet it has not been funded in Arizona since FY2009, even though gifted pupils have different and unique learning challenges.

There is a common myth that gifted children will do fine on their own and that they don’t need support.  However, ALL students have strengths and struggles in which they need support, and gifted children are no less.  It is often difficult for parents of gifted children to find academic programs and teachers who understand the strengths and struggles of gifted kids.  

How will supporting gifted students help Arizona?  Investing in Arizona’s gifted children is an investment in our Intellectual Capital and our state’s economy.  It will foster a home-grown workforce to fuel growing local businesses.  HB 2356 will help fund the training of teachers in identifying gifted pupils in underserved populations as well as training teachers in gifted child development and gifted teaching strategies. 

My story – (INSERT YOUR STORY OF STRUGGLE)

Gifted children who do not have teachers who understand them often do not experience a year’s worth of growth as typical children do in the regular classroom.  Having teachers who are trained in understanding gifted children is critical to gifted children’s success and the development of the skill set needed to contribute back to society. 

The philosophy of gifted education is to identify and support a student’s strengths as well as in their areas of struggle.  When gifted education is supported this philosophy can permeate the schools and make a difference in the education of ALL students.  Please support HB 2356.

Sincerely,

(INSERT YOUR NAME)

PS. I'm including this quick link so you can see a map of how Arizona compares with other states in gifted education support - http://www.davidsongifted.org/db/StatePolicy.aspx

* * REMEMBER TO EMAIL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE BY FEBRUARY 17TH * *

Be sure to share this information with other parents and family members.  Ask the educators in your life to subscribe to our blog (www.gilbertgifted.blogspot.com) with their home email address so that they can receive this information.

FOR IMMEDIATE READ - Gifted Legislation TODAY at 2:00pm

ISSUE AT HAND

Today at 2:00pm the Arizona House will hear about House Bill (HB) 2356 which proposes that Gifted Funding in the state budget be moved from Group A to Group B.  This means that for the first time since the 2009 - 2010 school year that a dollar amount will be allocated for the education of each gifted child.

Click on this link to see a previous post that has a brief synopsis of gifted education funding history in Arizona.

Click here to see the text of HB 2356.

Click here to see a brief explanation of current funding law.

Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted (GSG) AND Arizona Association for Gifted and Talented (AAGT) are in support of HB 2356.

Please note that an amendment has also been proposed that will LIMIT this funding to only those students who are identified as being in the 97th percentile or above.  (Click here to see an explanation of percentile rankings.)

According to Arizona State Statute 15-7790.1 "School districts may identify any number of pupils as gifted but shall identify as gifted at least those pupils who score at or above the ninety-seventh percentile, based on national norms, on a test adopted by the state board of education."  

This state statute allows school districts to take into account that gifted students from disadvantaged backgrounds (socio-economic, etc.) may not score into the 97th percentile.  It also recognizes that gifted children may not test well using a particular state approved test.  If a gifted child scored in the 96th percentile on one of the state approved tests (i.e.: the most common district administered test is the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)), they would most likely receive a 97th percentile or above on an expensive, much more thorough IQ test.  This state statute leaves the decision with local control, to those who know their community best.

This amendment does not recognize gifted children who do not test well with less expensive tests, nor the gifted children coming from disadvantaged backgrounds.  This would hurt Title 1 schools.  This amendment takes away local control from those who know their communities best.

GSG and AAGT are opposed to the amendment on HB 2356.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:  ACT NOW!

1. Email your Representative.  Click here to obtain the name and email address of your Legislator.  Once at the list of rosters, the House Representative roster is the second one listed. 
1. Cut and paste the following paragraph into your email:  

Dear Representative (INSERT NAME),

Today before the House you will be reviewing HB 2356 regarding Gifted Education Funding.  As a member of Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted, I am in favor of this bill to provide much needed funding for our gifted students.  Gifted students need quality trained teachers who understand their unique developmental needs.  Gifted students grow and develop differently than typical students.  Gifted students need programs that allow flexibility which will foster student growth. They have their unique struggles and challenges and need teachers who understand them.  Please support HB 2356 in its original form.  

I oppose any amendment that limits gifted funding to a certain percentile ranking.  Such limitations will not allow gifted students in disadvantaged socio-economic groups to be serviced.  This will hurt the gifted students attending Title 1 schools.  This does not allow local control over these funds.  I ask that you oppose such an amendment, letting those at the local level, who know their community best, to serve their gifted students.

As the parent of a gifted child, I thank you for working to restore Arizona gifted funding which has been lost since 2010.

Sincerely,

SIGN NAME

Are you registered for the "Request to Speak System"?  If so, ACT NOW, BEFORE 2:00PM, by going to this link: 

https://apps.azleg.gov/Account/SignOn?ReturnUrl=%2f

After you've logged in, 

1. Click on "New Request" on the left hand column 
2. Search by the bill number:  HB 2356
3. When you see the bill listed, make sure to click "Add Request" to be able to leave your comment.   (Example:  "As a member of Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted I am in FAVOR of this bill to provide much needed funding for our gifted students.  However, I am OPPOSED to any amendment that restricts funding based on percentile groupings as it limits local control")
1. Register your position
2. If you don't actually want to testify in person, select "No" 
3. Leave a comment in the box. 
4. Click here for a visual step-by-step on using the system. 
5. Do not forget to list yourself as a school board member, parent, or constituent when leaving your comment!

Share with your friends!

The "Request to Speak System" allows you to electronically share your position and comments on a bill without actually being present at the state capital.  Want to sign up so you may comment on future gifted education issues?  You may do so by filling out the form at this link, then emailing it to the email address on the form:  http://azsba.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/ALISFillableForm.pdf

2/3/2016 8:00pm UPDATE:

This afternoon, the House Education Committee met and reviewed various bills.   Below is the committee's vote after reviewing and hearing comments on HB 2356.

• HB 2356 (gifted pupils; group B weight) passed on a 6-0-1 vote. This bill removes gifted students from Group A weights and establishes a separate Group B weight for gifted students at 0.115 and requires a withholding of the full Group B weight (rather than the current 7% of the Group A weight), if a district fails to submit the scope and sequence for gifted students or if it is not fully approved. The bill also includes a conditional enactment that the bill does not take effect unless Prop. 123 is successfully passed. An amendment was adopted that requires a student to score at or above the 97th percentile on a statewide assessment to be eligible for Group B monies. 

Now HB 2356 goes to the House for review.