Legislative Update: March 29, 2010 - Now that we have addressed the House of Representatives, it is time to turn our attention to our Senators. We need to ask our Senators to sign on to a similar “Dear Colleague” letter to reinstate the meager Javits funding that is our ONLY source of federal funding for gifted. At just $11.25m, it is a drop in the bucket, but it is the only drop we have! Without Javits funding, we lose the critically important National Research Center on Gifted & Talented. That leaves all states and practitioners without valid, reliable research to best inform us on the needs of these learners, and how to meet them. Please contact Senators Scott Brown and John Kerry and urge them to co-sign the Grassley-Dodd appropriations Dear Colleague letter in support of funding for the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Act in FY 2011 by April 13th! Suggested message for you to customize! Dear Senator and Staff, A “Dear Colleague” letter is now circulating in the Senate showing support for the Javits program requesting that the appropriations subcommittee on education fund the program at $11.25 million. The Javits is our only source of federal funding for gifted. At just $11.25m, it is a drop in the bucket, but it is the only drop we have. Without Javits funding, we lose the critically important National Research Center on Gifted & Talented. That leaves all states and practitioners without valid, reliable research to best inform us on the needs of students of high potential from both low socio-economic and diverse backgrounds and how to best meet them. It is a matter of equity and achievement! Please sign the letter in support of funding for the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Act in FY 2011 by April 13th. _______________________ MAGE Legislation Working together to bring about change for all! While it is natural to advocate for the immediate needs of our own child or student, it is more effective if we combine efforts to effect change for all students by enacting legislation. MAGE is working on that front with educators, parents, administrators, counselors, and legislators throughout Massachusetts, but we cannot do it alone. legislators at the state and national level must hear from their constituents that gifted and talented learners are being overlooked to their detriment, and the detriment of all. Follow these steps to make a difference: Identify your legislators: >Massachusetts State Legislature >United States House of Representatives >United States Senate Adopt a legislator - Please commit to contacting your legislators at the state and national level up to four times a year to inform them of important initiatives. For our records, please inform us of the legislator and district by sending an email to Diana Reeves at rdianam@aol.com. Write your legislators to establish first contact. Inform MAGE of your progress. Please update Diana Reeves every time you send or receive communication from a legislator at rdianam@aol.com ------------------------------------------------------------------ Time to contact our U.S. Senators for Javits by 4/13/10! Now that we have addressed the House of Representatives, it is time to turn our attention to our Senators. We need to ask our Senators to sign on to a similar “Dear Colleague” letter to reinstate the meager Javits funding that is our ONLY source of federal funding for gifted. At just $11.25m, it is a drop in the bucket, but it is the only drop we have! Without Javits funding, we lose the critically important National Research Center on Gifted & Talented. That leaves all states and practitioners without valid, reliable research to best inform us on the needs of these learners, and how to meet them. Please contact Senators Scott Brown and John Kerry and urge them to co-sign the Grassley-Dodd appropriations Dear Colleague letter in support of funding for the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Act in FY 2011 by April 13th! Suggested message for you to customize A “Dear Colleague” letter is now circulating in the Senate showing support for the Javits program requesting that the appropriations subcommittee on education fund the program at $11.25 million. The Javits is our only source of federal funding for gifted. At just $11.25m, it is a drop in the bucket, but it is the only drop we have. Without Javits funding, we lose the critically important National Research Center on Gifted & Talented. That leaves all states and practitioners without valid, reliable research to best inform us on the needs of students of high potential from both low socio-economic and diverse backgrounds and how to best meet them. It is a matter of equity and achievement! Please sign the letter in support of funding for the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Act in FY 2011 by April 13th. _________________ mailto:comments@scottbrown.senate.gov?subject=Javits%20%22Dear%20Colleague%22%20Letterhttp://kerry.senate.gov/contact/email.cfmhttp://www.mass.gov/legis/city_town.htmhttps://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtmlhttp://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?State=MAmailto:rdianam@aol.comFirst_Contact.htmlmailto:rdianam@aol.commailto:comments@scottbrown.senate.gov?subject=Javits%20%22Dear%20Colleague%22%20Letterhttp://kerry.senate.gov/contact/email.cfmshapeimage_1_link_0shapeimage_1_link_1shapeimage_1_link_2shapeimage_1_link_3shapeimage_1_link_4shapeimage_1_link_5shapeimage_1_link_6shapeimage_1_link_7shapeimage_1_link_8shapeimage_1_link_9