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Chicago Gifted Community Center

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IAGC Advocacy Committee Meeting

  • April 05, 2014
  • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Illinois Math & Science Academy, Aurora
Here is a brief overview of the state of gifted education in IL, as well as recent Advocacy Committee legislative efforts:

  • Illinois has no legal mandate or funding for gifted education in its budget.  Whereas Illinois used to support gifted education, with funding reaching a high point of $19 million in 2003, there has been no funding at all in recent years.  The federal government also neglects to provide any funding to the states for gifted education services, and it does not require that the states identify or support high-ability students.  
  • The IAGC Advocacy Committee organized representatives to testify at the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Budget Hearings which occurred throughout the state in the fall of this past year, and we are excited to report that ISBE recently decided to include $65,000 for gifted education in its proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2015.  While this is a very small amount, at least a line item for gifted education has been incorporated back into the state budget.  We are hoping that the $65,000 survives the cuts and revisions that are being discussed in the Illinois House and Senate right now.  IAGC representatives appeared at the House Elementary and Secondary Appropriations Committee Hearing in Springfield last month to testify regarding the importance of including funding for gifted in the budget.  
  • IAGC is also engaging in advocacy at the federal level.  IAGC representatives visited Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, last week to ask our representatives to support two federal measures dealing with gifted education: The Javits Act and the Talent Act.  We are currently in the process of following up with the representatives and legislative directors with whom we met.
It is critically important that we establish a larger and stronger network of parents and educators in Illinois who share a passion for gifted education and can communicate with their local school districts and government representatives about the need to support gifted education.  If you are interested in learning more about these efforts, I encourage you to attend our IAGC Advocacy Committee meeting this Saturday.  Please share this information with anyone else you know who might wish to attend.  Here is the complete information:

IAGC Committee Meetings (10am-noon) at Illinois Math & Science Academy (IMSA):
1500 Sullivan Rd., Aurora, IL 60506-1000. Tel: 630-907-5000. 
For maps and directions by auto, bus and rail, go to
https://www3.imsa.edu/about/visiting#BusRail

1, Park in the rear lot near the flagpole (east side of the building.)
2. If you have preregistered (confirmed your attendance), there will
be a name tag for you at the front desk.
3. Otherwise, you will need to produce your driver's license and have
a name tag generated.

For questions or to RSVP please contact:

Carolyn E. Welch, Advocacy Committee Co-Chair
Illinois Association for Gifted Children
847.736.7853
carolynEwelch@comcast.net

About cgcc

The Chicago Gifted Community Center (CGCC) is a member-driven 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created by parents to support the intellectual and emotional growth of gifted children and their families. 

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