An Urgent Advocacy Request from the Michigan Association for Gifted Children

Please take a moment to read this and write the House Appropriations committee members.  With Michigan making changes to its education funding, we are doing a full court press to make sure gifted students are not left out.

I have included a sample letter at the end if you would like to cut and paste it to each committee member.

– Joshua @ Rochester SAGE

Dear Supporters of Gifted Children, Youth, and Families:

The Michigan Association for Gifted Children (MAGC) has asked the Michigan House Appropriations and Education Committees to allocate 1% of the upcoming Michigan Education Budget for gifted education. Our message is that ALL children and youth matter, including the gifted.

Next Tuesday, March 19, the Michigan House Education Budget Committee will make financial decisions regarding Michigan Education Budget allocations for the Fiscal-Year 2013-1014. This meeting is open to anyone who cares about education in our state.

DATE: Tuesday, March 19, 2013
TIME: 12:00 PM
PLACE: Room 426, State Capitol Building, Lansing, MI
AGENDA: Decision-Making on Department of Education Budget for FY 2013-14: HB 4214 (Rep. Rogers) Appropriations; zero budget; Department of Education; provide for fiscal year 2013-2014.

Michigan legislators need to hear your voices if we are to have any chance of receiving an allocation for the gifted.

While the U.S. and Michigan eliminated funding for the gifted, China recently allocated $500 billion dollars for gifted education. In its quest to be the next world superpower China is investing substantially in its gifted children, understanding that future success is tied to that of its high-potential youth.

Michigan’s gifted students have struggled academically, socially, and emotionally in classrooms without an appropriate education for far too many years. We only ask that the gifted are included in the word ALL when funds are allocated for Michigan students.

Please send emails ASAP, within the next day, to Michigan legislators, especially those on the Education Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee. Their names are listed below. Click on the link and paste your heartfelt email to all representatives.

Thank you,

The Michigan Association for Gifted Children (MAGC), Advocacy Committee

Education Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee

Joe Haveman (R) Committee Chair, 90th District

Matt Lori (R) 59th District

Bill Rogers (R) 42nd District

Greg MacMaster (R) 105th District

Earl Poleski (R) 64th District

Fred Durhal (D) 5th District

Andrew Kandrevas (D) 13rd District

_____________________________

Ben Williams, Jr., Committee Clerk, 517-373-1988

Sample letter:

Michigan is one of the few states that does not identify or provide services for gifted students.  Many other states have budgets for gifted education, but most gifted learners in Michigan are underserved.

I am requesting that 1% of the Michigan education budget be allocated to providing services for gifted students.

The money would ensure:

• Teacher training in gifted education for public school teachers
• The development, implementation, and assessment of gifted and talented programs that take place during the school day for gifted and talented students
• High quality gifted and talented materials, resources, programs and services for gifted students in grades K-12.

As a Michigan parent of gifted students, this is a vital issue for me and my children.  I eagerly await your response and your vote supporting the gifted learners who make up 5-10% of Michigan’s school children.

Thank you.

———-

Thank you for reading Rochester SAGE.  Together we can make a difference for gifted children!