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Community Action Alert – Advocacy on a National Level

Gifted and talented education is a critical area that requires attention and investment, as it not only helps talented students reach their full potential but also plays a crucial role in fostering innovation, creativity, and progress in our society. Our gifted and talented students come from all backgrounds and cultures, and it is our responsibility to ensure that they have access to the resources and support they need to excel.

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 two important issues on the national level that have the potential to provide funding in order  to create innovative and effective programs that cater to the unique needs of gifted students from all backgrounds.

Jacob Javits Gifted & Talented Students Education Act

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.

In FY23, with the support of advocates and legislative champions in Congress, NAGC helped secure $16.5 million for Javits, a $2 million increase from FY22.  These monies are used to fund research in the areas of underserved populations, curriculum, and best practices.

Javits Resources

  • Download a copy of the Senate’s “Dear Colleague” Letter, requesting the highest possible funding for Javits in FY24.

The Advanced Equity Coursework (ACE) ACT

Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representative Joaquin Castro (D-TX) will reintroduce the Advanced Coursework Equity (ACE) Act in March 2023. The ACE Act authorizes $800 million in grants of up to $60 million to be allocated over three years to address equity gaps in enrollment and performance in advanced programs and courses by:

  • Implementing equitable enrollment mechanisms, such as universal screening, for advanced courses and programs.
  • Expanding enrollment in advanced courses and programs, including by launching new courses.
  • Purchasing curriculum and materials for advanced courses and covering exam fees of low-income students, training or hiring teachers to teach advanced courses.

Advanced Coursework Equity Act Resources

How can you Help?

Write our Arizona Senators and encourage them to sign-on to the “Dear Colleague” letter in support of Javits funding in the federal government’s FY24 budget by the deadline of April 7! Members of Congress who would like to sign-on should contact the following offices.

Democrat or Independent senators should contact the office of Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ)

Republican senators should contact the office of Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA)

Contact Senator Kelly, Mark

Contact Senator Sinema, Kyrsten

Write your District Representative in the House and tell them why you Javits Funding and Advanced Coursework is important to you as a parent, educator or student.

Find your Members of Congress here

The more these important acts appear in their inboxes from constituents, the more likely our members of Congress  will be in support. Every voice matters!

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

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