AAGT Advocacy on a National Level

Imagine a world where students are taught to work together to solve individual and shared community problems through critical thinking, problem based learning and STEAM programs. Imagine a world where funding for these programs is equitable, accessible and plentiful.

Recently, members of the AAGT Task Force flew to Alexandria, VA for the NAGC Leadership and Advocacy Conference where we learned about the latest Federal policies impacting gifted and talented children and received expert, hands-on advocacy training.

All this knowledge in federal policy and legislation and the skill building in advocacy came in useful this week as our task force met with the members of the staffs of Arizona’s nine Representatives and two Senators.  Our agenda was to discuss three important issues on the national level that will have a great impact on gifted and talented education in Arizona.

Jacob Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act

Jacob Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act One Page Fact Sheet

The Jacob Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act (Javits) was first passed by Congress in 1988 as part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and was most recently reauthorized through the Every Student Succeeds Act to support the development of talent in U.S. schools.  The Javits Act, which is the only federal program dedicated specifically to gifted and talented students, does not fund local gifted education programs. However, it has the ability to more regularly fund state-level projects in order to shrink excellence gaps.

Why It’s Important to GT Education in Arizona

Many of you may remember when Sunnyside School District applied for and received the Javits Grant in 2016-2019. The benefits reached beyond the school district and benefitted educators and students throughout all of Pima County, even to this day.

It gave hundreds of students access to resources and opportunities to become involved with STEAM Programs, MakerSpaces, Field Trips as Community Classrooms and more. This grant provided dedicated gifted education training for both parents and teachers, family outreach and ongoing support.

Hear from Marianne Landrith as she goes into further details of the benefits of the Javits Grant in Pima County. Read a past blog post about the program and our visit with Rep. Grijalva.

The Ask 

We are advocating on behalf of our members and all of Arizona’s Gifted Community, encouraging our members of the House and the Senate sign on to the Dear Colleague Letter in support of  the Jacob Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act which is now circling through Congress. This will ensure our elected officials are committed to enhance the Javits Program by securing the highest possible funding.

How You Can Help

If you would like to see more funding on a national level for gifted and talented education, which would filter into our state programs, please reach out to your District’s two Representative members, as well as Senator Mark Kelly and Senator Krysten Sinema  and ask them to please sign the “Dear Colleague” Letter in support of the Javits Program.

If you are not sure who your Representatives are, click here to enter you zip code and use the email tool on the website to email as a constituent.

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

ESSA/ESEA is the source of most federal K-12 education initiatives such as funding for schools with a high percentage of students of poverty.

• Title I of ESSA, provides supplemental funding to schools with a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students to identify and serve gifted and talented students.
• Title II of ESSA, helps to fund professional development that enables teachers to better identify and serve gifted and talented students.
• Title VII of ESSA provides funding for homeless students to receive gifted services.

For additional information on sources of state and federal funds for gifted education, please see the AAGT Informs Episode with Peter Laing.

The Ask 

It is important to encourage Congress to continue to allow funds to be used for gifted programs and raise the level of support to adequately provide equity in education for students of poverty.

Advanced Coursework Equity Act

Advanced Coursework Equity Act One Pager Fact Sheet

The Advanced Coursework Equity Act, newly introduced in Congress, authorizes up to $60 million in grants to expand enrollment in advanced courses, covers the costs of exam fees for low-income students and train and hire teachers to teach advanced courses.

Why It’s Important to GT Education in Arizona

• It will implement equitable enrollment mechanisms, such as universal screening, for advanced courses and programs.
• It will expand enrollment in advanced courses and programs, including launching new courses.
• It will allow for the purchase of curriculum and materials for advanced courses, cover exam fees of low-income students, and the training or hiring teachers to teach advanced courses.

The Ask 

It is vital that all Arizona members of Congress support the Advanced Coursework Equity Act.  We are grateful and proud that our own Representative Raúl Grijalva,  is one of three co-sponsors on this bill.

Join in on our Grassroots Efforts to Advocate for Gifted & Talented Education

Together we are mighty in advocating for our unique learners, both at the state and federal levels.  Establishing and maintaining relationships with your State Legislators and your members of Congress are important in keeping the pressure on to enable schools and districts to be able to nurture gifts and develop talents in all students.

How?

• Send your school, program, or affiliate newsletter to your local and federal elected officials
• Send an article about your school to your local newspaper
• Write an op-ed about an issue affecting gifted learners and/or teachers
• Call or e-mail your local and federal lawmakers office to advocate for/against a particular issue (like the ones above)
• Host a site visit for your school’s representative(s) in Congress
• Meet with your representative in person (like the AAGT Task Force does!)

Every voice counts!  Together we can make gifted education a priority for our students with sustainable K-12 programs and services.

For any questions or to see how you can get more involved, please email AAGT’s Advocacy Task Force at advocacy@azgifted.com