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

2018 Legislative Action: Gifted Education Funding

The 2018 session of the Arizona Legislature is in full swing!  We want to keep you informed of AAGT's efforts to advocate for the restoration of funding for gifted education.  Currently gifted education is an unfunded state mandate.  The state has not funded gifted education since 2009.

This year House Bill (HB) 2112, sponsored by Rep. Heather Carter, has passed the House Education Committee and the House Appropriations Committee. (Click here to view the video of amazing testimony given at the House Appropriations Committee.)  It continues to move forward in the process!

Mirror bill, Senate Bill (SB) 1161, sponsored by Sen. Kate Brophy McGee, has passed the Senate Education Committee.  This year there is a new chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and he has agreed to put SB 1161 on Tuesday's agenda, February 20th.  Last year the former chair did not permit our bill to be placed on an agenda, so this year we are already making progress!

Gilbert's Gifted Education Parent Council (GEPC) is working with AAGT to spread the word on these legislative efforts and how you can help.  The GEPC is asking that all stakeholders (parents, grandparents, educators, etc.) send an email to members of the Senate Appropriations Committee.  Many thanks to the GEPC for preparing the sample email below.  Please try to email these Senators by Monday evening.

Sample email to Chairman Kavanagh and Vice Chair Petersen ...

Subject line:  SB1161 - Support for Gifted Education Funding

My name is  (your name here) and I am a (parent, educator, gifted student, administrator). I understand you will be hearing SB1161 on February 20th. This bill addresses Gifted Education funding. I am writing in support of SB1161, that helps restore funding for gifted education, assessments, and support needed to meet gifted students’ needs.

Arizona has a mandate stating that all public school districts must both identify gifted learners and provide appropriate educational programs and services for these students, yet there is no funding allocated specifically to gifted programming. Gifted allocations were defunded in 2010 due to fiscal budget cuts. Parents like me hope that there can be some effort made to help restore funding to gifted programming.

Gifted education is important to me (because...)

Thank you for your time,

(your name and contact info)

jkavanagh@azleg.gov Chairman

wpetersen@azleg.gov Vice-Chairman

sallen@azleg.gov

sborrelli@azleg.gov

kfann@azleg.gov

khobbs@azleg.gov

mquezada@azleg.gov

stsmith@azleg.gov

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

AAGT ACTION ALERT! MARCH 28, 2017

Dear East Valley Families of Gifted Students,

We are key players in getting our members of the legislature to support the inclusion of gifted education in the state budget.  Please read this important notice from AAGT!

Stephanie Newitt

President

Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted

Update: Despite all of our efforts to get HB2199 to be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee, it didn’t happen. The bill process is done. We now have to work at getting gifted funding into the budget. Reducing our ask from $3.5 million to $500,000 provides a more agreeable amount to get into the budget at this point. Then next year, we will be back for more! 

We are grateful for the leadership of Representative Heather Carter who championed HB2199 so successfully; it 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, our friend, 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. 

OUR TASK ASAP:  
Send emails to members of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees to include $500,000 in the budget to support the reinstatement of funding for gifted education. 

Even if you have contacted them before, this is a new ask, and it is important to remind them why this is important to you.

In addition, we are asking you to contact all leaders in both the House and Senate. If your Legislative District Senator and/or Representatives are not already on one of these lists, please contact them. Members of the Legislature value constituents’ opinions. 

The lists of the Senate and House Appropriations Committee members are attached along with other leaders we need to reach. Ask your contacts to do the same and remember every email counts! It just could be your story, your compelling reason to have funding restored that makes a difference! 

Thank you for your support! 
Donna Campbell,
AAGT Advocacy Chair 
dcampbell@azgifted.com

Click here for the google doc with the email addresses for the members of both the Senate and House Appropriation Committees.

Click here if you need help finding out who your legislators are.

Click here to visit the page of the GSG website regarding advocacy at the state level.

Summer Greetings!

Summer Greetings!

Please read the letter below and respond immediately to the request to contact the Governor's office.  We want to keep the momentum going with our work to restore funding for gifted education!

It is easy to do your part!

Thank you so much,

Donna J. Campbell, President,

Arizona Association for Gifted and Talented

***

What did I do on my summer vacation? I made a difference in the lives of gifted children. 

Through the heat of summer, it may be hard to imagine that fall will ever be here. Yet as you read these words, decision makers at the capitol are making funding plans for the 2017-2018 school year. We need your help to make sure that gifted education is part of these discussions.  

As you know, Arizona schools are mandated to provide gifted education, yet the state has not funded this mandate since 2009. Our schools need this money to identify gifted students, train teachers, and provide the education our students need. With your help last legislative session, AAGT gained serious ground in the fight for funding. We need your help again to keep the heat on our leaders to fund these important programs. 

Would you please spend two minutes of your summer vacation improving the lives of gifted children? Governor Ducey's office needs to hear from you TODAY that gifted education should be a priority. The process is easy. Simply go to his office webpage, and you can cut and paste our message or feel free to write your own. 

We don't want to see the support for gifted education melt away! Let's keep the heat on our leaders to fund these essential programs! 

***

Governor Ducey, 

I am a (Parent of a gifted child; gifted educator; gifted student) and a member of Arizona Association for Gifted & Talented. Gifted Education is a state mandate, yet it has not been funded in Arizona since FY2009.

There is a common myth that gifted students will do fine on their own. Nothing could be further from the truth. Many gifted students are so far ahead of their same-age peers that they know more than half of the grade-level curriculum before the school year begins. Their resulting boredom and frustration can lead to low achievement, despondency, or unhealthy work habits. The role of the teacher is crucial for spotting and nurturing talents in school. It is often difficult for parents of gifted children to find academic programs and teachers who understand the strengths and struggles of gifted kids. For this reason, funding gifted education is essential not only to gifted students, parents, and educators, but also to the future Arizona economy that will need this bright young minds in the coming years.  

As you plan for the 2017-2018 school year, funding for gifted education should be part of the discussion. These essential programs have gone unfunded for too long. Please, as you plan for the future school years, include funding for gifted education. 

Our students are counting on you. 

Thanks, 

(Your name here)